The world's continued fascination with Jamaica

It's definitely all about this red-hot island that this column always refers to as destination Jamaica, as from in the early days of travel, Jamaica has been the preferred spot for not only the rich and famous, uber-fab and thrill-seeking, fun-loving explorer, but it continues to be the gem of the Caribbean isles, unequalled in its beauty and above all else, the warmth and hospitality of its people.

And no surprises here either as contextually speaking, Jamaica has not only figured prominently in world affairs, it has been the unofficial crossroads of the old and new worlds from Christopher Columbus landed here! But perhaps even more perplexing for some is the fact that for a nation of its size (population and land mass) and its limited resources, the island's influence in the spheres of world culture through music, the arts, dance and athletics, as well as the sporting arenas, defies conventional understanding and expectations.

Magic and beauty

Anyway my dears, the world continues its fascination with us and so come Tuesday, March 3, the world will once again be made privy to the magic and beauty of Jamaica that has sustained its people for centuries, as the Jamaica Tourist Board recently joined forces with Al Roker Productions and WE TV to showcase the breathtaking beauty and diversity of Jamaica to the world through the eyes of Mrs Lorna Golding, wife of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in a one-hour special featuring Jamaica, signalling the season kick-off to WE TV's Women's History Month programming and the launch of its new 'First Ladies Tour' series, hosted by celebrated journalist Deborah Roberts.

My dears, the show takes the format of a VIP all-access tour of the island, with Mrs Golding as the hostess and takes viewers on a Jamaican adventure as she gives Deborah Roberts a peek inside her homeland as they take a helicopter ride along the breathtaking Montego Bay coastline and step inside some of Jamaica's most lavish homes and private resorts - including Round Hill, home to world famous designer Ralph Lauren, and Goldeneye, the former home of James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

They also get front-row seat at Jamaica's premier fashion event for an up close and look as the women take in haute couture and street style alike at last year's Caribbean Fashionweek extravaganza at the National Indoor Sports Centre. For the adventurous, follow the women as they team up with the adventure thrill seekers at Chukka Caribbean and glide 200 feet above the Montpelier jungle and kayak through the grotto-lined cliffs of Negril. To complete this island excursion, Mrs Golding takes Roberts to one of her favourite, and most serene places on this wonderful island - the Hope Gardens in St Andrew. This 200-acre botanical garden is the largest in the Caribbean and is one of the best places to enjoy the flora of Jamaica.

Well my daahlings, the special premieres in New York this here Tuesday, March 3 at 10 p.m. (EST) on WE TV, and the buzz is that both Mrs Golding and Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett are expected in New York for the affair, but dears, it is definitely must-see TV and nothing but!

And speaking of beautiful people place and things, my dears, he popped the question and she answered in the affirmative and so it is a May wedding for the fabulous Michelle LaPorte and her beau, Paul Reid II, who will exchange their I-dos on the 16th at the lovely Pipers Cove Beachfront resort, over there in Runaway Bay, in what promises to be a fab-fest as the fab couple publicly declare their love for each other.

Sweet-things, who would miss this for the world, as it promises to be all that, and then some!

Something Extra

Prime Minister Bruce Golding is literally seeing red as he gets caught between two radiant Digicel princesses, Joy Clark (left) and Tricia K. Thompson, at the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry luncheon on board the cruise ship Liberty of the Seas on Tuesday in St James. - Photo by Janet Silvera

Young Saints set agency's global fashion agenda

Just as Barack Obama represents the change of times in politics, there is an army of new faces from the Saint camp that has been developing the wave of change for the agency, quietly grabbing the attention of some of the world's most influential agencies and power clients.

The agency is now celebrating nine glamorous years of global success and its models have appeared in campaigns, editorials and the runways of some of the world's top fashion clients including Yves St Laurent, Giorogio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Victoria Secrets, Moschino, Vivienne Westwoodm Bennetton, Calvin Klein Fragrance, Dolce and Gabbana, Elle, Italian Vogue, PUMA Fragrance, MAC Cosmetics, W magazine and many others.

Entry open to Miss Jamaica Universe 2009

Entry is now open to the Miss Jamaica Universe Beauty Pageant 2009. Young Jamaican women between 18 and 26 years of age are invited to apply if they have beauty of face and body, a keen awareness of the world around them and the grace and confidence to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe Pageant. Contestants should never have been married, or had children.

For this, the first competition since last year's groundbreaking event, which saw April Jackson emerge the winner from 25 finalists, all the stops are being pulled to ensure that the high standard of 2008 is maintained or even surpassed. Last year's coronation show attracted more than 5,000 patrons at a sold out event, which saw new age R&B superstar Keyshia Cole perform in Jamaica for the first time ever.

Jackson won over $1 million in cash as well as a brand new BMW motor car. Clearly the 2008 event realised its target of a world-class production, thus ensuring that the local event mirrored the international pageant's pre-eminence in the world of beauty contests.

This year's planned prize package is likely to be similar to last year's, even if not exactly the same as the event's organisers seek to attract Jamaica's best talent. A show-stopping entertainment package is also in the works and more details in this regard will be announced in the coming weeks.

Now in its 57th year, the Miss Universe competition provides the opportunities for women to be personally enriched through the organisation's year-round support of all aspects of their lives, from their own personal career goals to social and humanitarian causes and work. Interested applicants to the Miss Jamaica Universe pageant 2009 should enter online at www.missjamaica universe2009.com.

Are you ready for bacchanal?

Carnival Tips
Never wear new shoes on carnival day. Make sure your shoes are completely worn before the road march to eliminate blisters or discomfort.

"Digicel is proud to be the Mobile Sponsor for Bacchanal 2K9. Our collaboration with Bacchanal over the past 6 years has been fantastic, and gets bigger and better every year, so this year will definitely be one to look out for”. -Maurice Bryan, Sponsorships & Promotions Manager, Digicel Jamaica

Michelle Obama's Vogue Cover

It's official: Following much speculation, First Lady Michelle Obama will grace the cover of Vogue's March issue. The magazine hits newsstands on February 24th.

Obama was interviewed by Vogue Editor-at-Large André Leon Talley and photographed by Annie Leibovitz.

First Lady Michelle Obama is to feature on the cover of the March edition of US Vogue wearing a sleeveless magenta dress as she reclines on a sofa.

The glossy's website, vogue.com, previews the appearance by Obama, only the second First Lady to make the cover after Hillary Clinton.

All other first ladies - except for Harry Truman's wife Bess - have been featured in the US edition of the fashion magazine, although not on the cover.

Obama was photographed by Annie Leibovitz in a Jason Wu dress for the issue. She picked the same young Tawian-born designer for her inauguration ball gown on January 20.

In an interview with CNN television, Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley said the magazine had sought to portray the "real Michelle Obama."

"It's a cover about her warmth, which comes from within, it's not about her being a fashion icon," he said. "We're not trying to put her on a pedestal and make her into a fashionista.

Paris Hilton and Taylor Swift at the Grammy Awards

(From left)Paris Hilton and Taylor Swift arrive for the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday

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Red Carpet at the Grammy awards

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Toni Braxton