Tesi Johnson , Gleaner Writer

Left: Glen Kaisse, always dapper, enters the hotel for the Women's Leadership Initiative dinner at Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Thursday, November 30.   Right: It does not take a lot of red to make the point. after all, the matadors use only a cape and in Salma Aitcheson's case, the long red shawl works just fine against her gorgeous black gown! - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Coco Chanel, the legendary French fashion maven who ruled over Parisian haute couture for almost six decades, said many great things on the topic of fashion and personal style, none more relevant to the Jamaican reality than as when she said: "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

The hyperactive social scene characteristic of Christmas time is happening. And while the fashion-conscious flock the retailers to purchase 'uniforms' such as the overworked black and white polka dot blouse or dress, cinched with a red belt at the waist, the style-conscious of Jamaica suit up, step out and soar. They know that style does not require fastidious pursuit of fads decreed by designers in faraway lands, and agree that "Fashion is for amateurs," just as seasoned socialites agree that, "New Year's Eve parties are for amateurs." Touché.

So long as the spirit of Jamaica defies the proverbial box, then style will prevail over fashion this Christmas into the New Year, and evermore.