Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
'Babsy' Grange has now entered the realm of the fabulous '40s'. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
MY DEARS, don't know if y'all have noticed this very new phenomenon, but 60 is the new 40, and there are some fabulous looking women of indeterminate age until, of course, they advise you of just how old they are, and then your jaws drop in absolute disbelief. These ladies look nothing like the chronological age they sport.
So, my dears, 60 is no longer that ripe old age of dithering dowdiness, but is the new age of fabulousness, similar to the fabulous 40s!
So when Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller turned 60 last December, few there were who were willing to accept that the fabulous looking and ageless politician was all of that.
And when the fabulous Thalia Lyn joined the 60s club last month, few there were who were willing to accept that indeed Kingston's reigning social empress and fashion belissima was 60!
Well, my daahlings, the invites are out, and guess what? The party is actually at the tres chic, Strawberry Hill Resort and Spa, but more next week! The fabulous Ms. Grange, who is cultural archivist/music producer turned politician, yesterday joined the ranks of 'fabulous at 60'.
Now honeys, if by now y'all are not in possession of one of the glitzy invites, then pumpkins, get with the programme; which means you are not expected, at the 'surprise' do being thrown in honour of the vivacious and sometimes controversial politician.
Dovecakes, it promises to be one helleuva fabulous celebration, with some of Kingston and St. Andrew's finest names and personalities in attendance, so y'all know, this is the preferred do, for this here weekend, and honeys, how!
And speaking of birthdays, belated birthday wishes to the lovely former Miss Jamaica Universe, Nadine Thomas, who celebrated her special day two Mondays ago.
COURTNEY WASHINGTON
He started here in Kingston over 10 years ago as the hot new designer on the fashion block for the House of Elcore. After a few seasons and fashion showcases, however, the young designer opted to relocate to New York, with the stated goal of broadening his designing horizons and introducing his brand to the wider world.
This was in the pre-Caribbean Fashion Week days, when the opportunities for young designers showcasing their stuff were limited to those who could sponsor and/or produce their own shows. Many have packed kit and caboodle and left these shores to pursue their version of 'Jamerican' dream. Sadly, sometimes these dreams end in failures played out in the tragedy of drug abuse and/or death by misadventure.
So when the clearly talented young designer Courtney Washington closed down his Dumbarton Road operations and left for New York, his departure was met with more than polite misgivings by both those who admired his creativity and those who thought his New York expedition was somewhat foolhardy.
Today, Washington is at the top of his game with his name being celebrated in the world of fashion for his creativity, avant-garde island inflections and, above all else, for his masterful sense of style.
His move saw him furthering his understanding of fashion at both the Fashion Institute of Technology and Pratt Institute, before going on to open his first designing studio and outlet on Fulton Street in Brooklyn.
His designs became the rave of the downtown hip crowd, not given to sporting brand name designers. Strangely enough, Washington himself became a brand-name designer by those who eschew his kind. That was no surprise as it's the hip-downtown designers who have been dictating New York fashion trends for as long as there's been a fashion scene. As the rule here seems to be: first conquer the underground sub-cultural fashion scene, and then the denizens of East side will follow.
FROM EAST KINGSTON
Two weeks ago, the enterprising and very talented designer from East Kingston laid another brick in continuing to build his fashion empire with the opening of his second outlet in New York. He launched CW La Boutique on West 38th Street, in Manhattan.
And so the young designer from East Kingston, who thought he could, is showing that he can with his designs being the toast of the downtown underground crowd, as well as New York's establishment fashionistas! Courtney Washington's designs are not only available in New York, but are to be found in better boutiques from the East to the West coasts, and in Canada and Japan.
And yes, wait for his triumphant return to the Kingston as this, too, is a fashion centre he is aching to conquer, so more anon.
Then, my dears, John Rapley's piece in the May/June issue of the prestigious journal Foreign Affairs, published by the Council of Foreign Relations - an independent membership organisation, headquartered in New York, is not only a must read, it's a keepsake, for its insightfulness.
Recognised globally as one of the most influential and respected journals of international thought, Rapley's piece titled 'The New Middle Ages' is keeping good company in the journal's current issue. Sharing the spotlight are pieces by Jorge Castaneda, Mexico's former Foreign Affairs Minister and currently Global Distinguished Professor of Politics and Latin Americans Studies New York University; Martin Feldstein; and Samuel J Palmisano, chair of the board and CEO IBM.
Kudos all around, my dears, and yes, let the weekend partying begin!
