Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Hillary Phillips. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
MY DEARS, it was the complex, some neighbours never wanted constructed, even though from its very outset, it was thought to hold the capacity to add architectural, aesthetic and monetary value, to the neighbourhood.
Now, mind y'all, the neighbourhood was once a prized location, but had suffered somewhat, owing to a run-down house, that sat in the middle of it all, that had become some kind of a colony for some street people who used the building for their nightly tricks, and some kind of quasi antique dealership.
Now, the reason for the voiced objections will differ, based on which side of the fence one is listening to. But, the fact of the matter is, while all of this was happening, the complex went up, and those who motored by had nothing but favourable responses for what seemed on the face of it, a very charming and cosy set of condominiums.
Luvs, built by an enterprising group of friends, the complex, located over there in the golden triangle, gives new meaning to the term exclusive, as this here multi-dollar gated complex is home to six fabulously designed and executed condominiums, done up to reflect the individual tastes of the owners.
Well, my dears, one of those privileged to own one of the condominiums in the very upscale complex, is the rather very affable, Vinay Walia, he, being the Group financial controller for the Guardsman Group of Companies. With the condominiums now complete, Mr. Walia who celebrated his birthday last Friday, decided on throwing a double whammy, last Saturday, to celebrate both his birthday, as well as a house warming, for the much admired property.
'THING OF BEAUTY'
Dears, it has been said, that a 'thing of beauty is a joy forever', this here scribe could not agree more. And not to put too fine a point to it, the just-completed complex is one fine property.
And so, it was this in mind, that a phalanx of high-priced SUVs and imported European luxury automobiles descended upon the residence to party and celebrate.
Dovecakes, the invitation was a charmer, in that, it bade those invited to join Vinay, as he celebrates his birthday, in his new home, at 8:00 p.m. with the dress code being 'As you Like it'.
Well y'all know that here in Kingston, one of the favourite pastimes of the chic and elite, is haute couture, and other designer threads. And with an invitation giving guests a carte blanche in mode of dress, y'all, can expect everyone would go to town!
Sweet-things, little wonder here, as indeed, this was not your run-of-the-mill invitation to some curry-goat event. No my dears, it was not that kind of a party as this was indeed a party to celebrate a quiet but affable leading member of the accounting community, and dovecakes, his peers, friends and colleagues came out in full regalia to party, and honeychiles, they did!
Luvs, the affair got off to a fabulous cocktail/reception type start, with gift-laden guests arriving promptly at the stated hour, for the celebrations. Now, it was indeed, Vinay Walia's birthday, but for many, this was the first opportunity to view firsthand the much talked about condominiums.
Well, the fabulous Cindy Breakspeare was the interior consultant retained to do-up Mr. Walia's home, and dears, she was on hand to walk guests through the simply marvellous property, as the host himself was kept busy meeting and greeting his many guests.
The property's decor reflects the host's Anglo-Indian heritage; the property is indeed a fabulous fusion of both influences. And dears, the appreciation for this here mastery could be heard in the very many oohs and aahs that punctuated the hallways and wrap-around veranda, that distinguishes the property.
Dears, it was like that.
CONTINENTAL INDIAN FARE
A continental Indian fare was served up, elegant buffet-style, and with the common area of the complex decorated to reflect a café style theme, dining was exactly that dining!
Now, so far, it was one very cocktaily laa-dee-dah affair, but with midnight approaching there were those not prepared to end the night on anything but a bang, and pumpkins, as if on cue, the music was turned up a notch, and for my word, dears, it was all the many guests needed to move from cocktail mode, to get up and shake their elegant booties and buffed bodies, and sweet-things, they did!
Oh, my word, what a night, it proved!
And dears, it was still kicking with the heat of a nuclear blast minutes to 2:00 a.m., when this here scribe, fearing that those neighbours who objected to the building of the complex, and who were absent from the party, would seek to end it all with a call to the police, made his exit.
Among those out, were Kenny Benjamin and his Cuban companion Aloima Suarez, she looking as fabulous as ever; the oh so elegant Wanda Stephenson; Peter and Fay Bangerter; their daughter Nathalie; the former Mrs. Kenny Benjamin, the absolute dish of a beauty Susie Benjamin and their children Nicholas and Brooke; the stunning Sheila Benjamin-Fernandez and her lovely daughter, Ashleigh Fernandez; Cindy Breakspeare; Rae Barrett; Poker and Sati Chandiram; Rivi Gardner; Hillary Phillips, QC; Harold Brady; Jennifer Messado; Kelvin Roberts; Anil and Nilofer Kalra, in from Geneva and Bombay, their son, Arjun Kalra, in from Chicago; Drs. Dhiru and Laura Tanna; the charming Betty-Ann Jones-Kerr and her fabulous daughter, Kyla; Keith and Janette Senior; the charming Jeanie Bell; Ian Garbutt and companion A.J. Betty; Aubyn and Tamara Hill; Ron Brown and wife, Valerie Juggan-Brown; Dr. Dhirandra and Merciline Garg; Charles and Brunetta Matthews; newly appointed Head of Cable and Wireless, Rodney Davis; Al Niazi and wife, Charmaine Johnson-Niazi; Caryl Fenton; Colin Steele; Andrew and Lydia Cherry; former Head of FCIB, Raymond Campbell; Rajiv Bakshi and companion Dorothea Gordon-Smith, her two beautiful daughters, Luciano and Taquise Gordon-Smith. Also out were Carman Hudson; David and Indi Couch; Janet Farrow; David and Rosie Iver; Tariq Malik; Dr. Andre and Gina Foote; Lloyd Distant; R. Christene King; Jeffery Dujon and wife, the charming Sherida Sharpe; Gary and Bernadette Barrow; Tarun and Catherine Handa, her sibling William Craig. Also out; the lovely Allison Peart; Keith Collister and his companion, the head-turningly-fab Carol Pessoa; Ian and Stephanie Neita; the very charming Miranda Ragbeir; Robert Haughton; the fabulous Audrey Miller; Ulle Bangerter; Rajan and Sonia Trehan; Vikram and Aditi Dhiman; Charmaine Lemonius; Knolly Moses; Charles and Naveen Plant; Minish Parikh; Major George and Mrs. Kates; Denise Coubry; Ricky Browne; the lovely Lisa Doyen; plus several others.
