Sisonnah Worrell crafts curated escapes in Clarendon
Published:Saturday | July 26, 2025 | 12:07 AM
Clarendon-based lifestyle brand Coastal Ember Escapes is aiming to redefine what luxury events can look like in rural Jamaica. Founded by Sisonnah Worrell earlier this year, the brand is creating curated experiences that blend nature, wellness, and design.
“In Jamaica, premium events are often centred in places like Kingston, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios. I saw an opportunity to shift that,” she said. “Why couldn’t Clarendon and its neighbouring parishes host experiences that feel organic, soul-stirring, and immersed in nature? That’s the gap Coastal Ember Escapes is filling,” Worrell shared.
With a strong focus on ambience and emotional resonance, the brand offers a range of outdoor escapes that reflect intentionality and connection.
“I didn’t just want to create another beautiful setup,” Worrell shared. “I wanted to curate experiences that people would carry in their hearts. That’s what Coastal Ember is about. It’s not just an event, it’s a memory being made in real time.”
Worrell’s background in styling and communications informs the brand’s aesthetic, while her personal connection to Clarendon shapes its mission.
“Clarendon is misunderstood. People drive through it without realising the wealth of natural beauty tucked away. Rivers you’ve never heard of, untouched beaches, and hilltop views that rival anywhere on the island,” she said. “My mission is to shift that narrative. Coastal Ember Escapes isn’t just about events, it’s about changing the lens through which people see this parish.”
The name itself – Coastal Ember Escapes – captures this vision. “Coastal reflects where we thrive, by the sea, in nature. Ember speaks to warmth, intimacy, and slow-burning magic,” Worrell explained.
The brand debuted its flagship event, Seaside Escape in April at Farquhar Beach in Milk River, Clarendon. The sunset-to-evening experience featured fire-lit signage, steel pan drummers, fruit installations, and fire dancing, all designed to immerse guests in the brand’s signature atmosphere.
Guests arrived in coastal-inspired white and were guided through a multisensory experience. “It didn’t feel like Jamaica, it felt like a Caribbean version of a secret Grecian escape,” said Ronique Johnson, financial reporting manager at Scotiabank, who got a chance to experience the event firsthand.
Coastal Ember Escapes currently offers six signature experiences: Luxe Picnic Escapes, Bonfire Nights, Garden Dinners, Brunch & Affirmation Sessions, River Scene Escapes, and Mountain Scene Escapes. Each is fully customisable, with details tailored to reflect each client’s vision – from music and colour palette to menu and tableware.
Reflecting on the brand’s origins, Worrell said, “After the pandemic, people, especially those in Clarendon and more rural parishes, were craving something deeper. We’d been isolated, burnt out, and overstimulated. There was this silent hunger for connection, not the surface kind, but soul-level experiences. That’s what moved me. I didn’t want to go back to business as usual. I wanted to create something that would help people feel grounded, joyful, inspired.”
Up next is Beer and Blaze on Saturday, September 27 – a garden escape featuring live pig roasting, curated cuisine, fire pits, and deejays. Worrell also teased a members-only club offering exclusive access to seasonal pop-ups and secret escapes in and beyond Clarendon.
For Worrell, the most rewarding part has been seeing her vision realised. “Watching guests’ faces light up, hearing their reflections, and knowing that something that once lived in my mind is now tangible and changing the lifestyle and event scene in Clarendon.