UV Breakfast Party - Islandista Approved!

The crowd was pretty small but a really, really good lime was had by all this morning at the first UV Breakfast Party - it is definitely on our Islandista Approved list for Crop-Over 2010.


The pricey (BD$140!) all-inclusive party was held on the grounds of a big ole house Trevwin II in the suburb of Prior Park in St. James.

There was a cross-section of the usual suspects you will see at any kinda bougie Bajan party - promoters like Richard Haynes of Baje, Jennifer Dear of Allure Entertainment, party girls, UWI kids, Facebook 'celebs' and a few real celebs like Brian Lara.

Considering the crowd, we're willing to guess that a good number came in on the comp list but what the promoters may have lost in gate receipts for this first edition of the event, was made up for in vibes.

It started out a bit tame and social, as people ducked from the sun and munched on the regional breakfast nosh from Ackee Tree and Jago's, including some most tremendous bake and shark from the former that was frankly even better than what we've had in Trinidad. Seriously. The bake and shark pull long - alas, we only got our hands and teeth on one. :(

The quiet start was also because of the big gap between the party-starters, including the Prince, braving the sun at the front and the limers sheltering under the tent in the back. The promoters might want to consider more tents next time.

But eventually things loosened up and to use the hottest catchphrase of Crop-Over 2K10 - folks was out to all! The vibe was sweet and enhanced by the various artistes that passed through and touched the stage including Lorenzo and Bret Linton, Hypa Sounds, Zeek and the man with the best Foreday Morning jam, Bobo who 'Muddy' up the place with his big tune.


Already looking forward to next year's edition!

Crop-Over 2K10 trend - Foreday Morning bands!

The hottest thing for Crop-Over this year (besides Lil Rick's monster, ultra-bashy tune 'Guh Dung') seems to be Foreday Morning (aka Jouvert) bands.

(Photo credit: Island Fusion via Facebook)

Last Crop-Over, there were only five official Foreday Morning bands, plus the heaving mass of humans behind the two trucks from the HIV/AIDS Commission and Roberts Manufacturing.

But this year, official sources have said there are as many as FIFTEEN bands registered - three times as much!

Among the new Foreday Morning bands that have sprung up are Island Fusion, Green Lizards from Island Vibez, Bakshun from Oasys Entertainment and Muddslyde from Power X 4. Check out Bakshun's outfits under the cut.

Barbados' biggest Crop-Over bands launch!

 

[caption id="attachment_2392" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Power x 4's selection of ladies costumes for Crop-Over 2010"][/caption]

Islandistas, I know it has been a minute - my apologies!

How could I abandon you, especially at a time like this when Barbados' Crop-Over festival is now heading into full swing?

The last week has been the unofficial official start to the festival - Baje International launched last Friday, Power x 4 is officially launching this Saturday, Brewster's Road Crew starting their fetes this Friday and Passion Network this Saturday!

Oh, and two of Power x 4's sections are ALREADY sold out, after 'early registration' started on Monday.

Yeah-  is like da this Crop-Over.

Baje seeing real action too - they launched on Friday and by Saturday, the two Trini sections run by Island People and Tribe were sold out - had chicks in Bim scrambling to pull strings in TnT to get into the sections. Mind you, we never hear of Trinis having to pull strings any place else to get costumes in dey own island but dem must know ...

Take a look at our faves in each band after the cut...

Islandistas @ Met Costume Institute Ball

We're baaa-aack! ... With more pics of our picks from the Met Costume Institute Ball last night in New York City.

The winner of the night in the islandistas style stakes - and possibly overall - was Jennifer Lopez.

She looked gorgeous in her irridescent, glimmering gown by Zuhair Murad. The sweetheart neckline, the leaf detail in the skirt... perfection.

[picapp align="center" wrap="false" link="term=met+costume+institute+gala+2010+jennifer+lopez&iid=8692371" src="4/b/c/e/_American_Woman_3667.jpg?adImageId=12744188&imageId=8692371" width="234" height="352" /]

Do 'um Jenny!

JLo was right on target fashion wise as nude tones of greige (grey and beige) dominated the night - with Kate Hudson, Katy Perry, Jessica Alba, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwen Stefani and Anne Hathaway all sporting variations of beige, cream, coral etc.

Eva Mendes,  went very differently style-wise with colours and patterns as opposed to neutrals and texture  in a rose-patterned Dolce & Gabbana gown with a fish-tail skirt - perfect for the curvy Cubana.

[picapp align="center" wrap="false" link="term=met+costume+institute+gala+2010+Eva+Mendes&iid=8696562" src="b/2/8/4/MET_Costume_Institute_2aea.jpg?adImageId=12744272&imageId=8696562" width="234" height="354" /]

Check out more islandista style and some of our favourite non-islandista fashionistas (and some misses!) under the cut.

First look @ Met Costume Institute Gala!

Islandistas and fashionistas all! [picapp align="right" wrap="false" link="term=Met+Costume+institute+gala&iid=8691891" src="1/c/2/7/_American_Woman_ab15.jpg?adImageId=12736635&imageId=8691891" width="234" height="352" /]

Pay attention because coming hard on the heels of the White House Correspondents' Dinner in D.C., it is one of the biggest nights on the social calendars of those in NYC and in fashion - the Met Costume Institute Gala.

Co-hosted by Oprah, the event is kicking off at the Met all now ... and we have the first look at the islandistas making their entrance on the red carpet.

We start of course with Zoe Saldana, who is one of the early arrivals, in a cold-shouldered navy column dress. While the dress itself is right on-trend, we're actually a bit disappointed at this from Zoe. She's usually so fly and fearless on the red carpet that a simple navy column dress seems so tame for her for a fashion night as big as this.

Gorgeous but could be better - we know she could!

Keep checking islandista for all the fashion notes from tonight!

Island folk at White House Correspondents Dinner

The biggest night on the Washington D.C. social calendar (outside of the inaugurations of course!) came off on Saturday - the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner.

US First Lady Michelle Obama looked gorrrrrgeous in a fire-red Prabal Gurung dress! [picapp align="center" wrap="false" link="term=Michelle+Obama+2010&iid=8677340" src="9/0/e/7/US_President_Obama_303e.JPG?adImageId=12736560&imageId=8677340" width="380" height="251" /]

A few big up island folk were in attendance too, like former Secretary of State Colin Powell and D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty and his lovely Jamaican-Brit wife Michelle. Check out the pics of the political fabulousness below!

[picapp align="center" wrap="false" link="term=white+house+correspondents+dinner&iid=8677361" src="3/7/0/f/US_President_Obama_7df7.JPG?adImageId=12736542&imageId=8677361" width="380" height="405" /]

[picapp align="center" wrap="false" link="term=adrian+fenty&iid=8677761" src="d/6/7/f/2010_White_House_f054.jpg?adImageId=12736568&imageId=8677761" width="380" height="570" /]

First look at Berger Boyz for Crop-Over 2010 & more...

[caption id="attachment_2311" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Berger Boyz for 2010 - Togetherness. (Photo credit: Berger Boyz on Facebook)"][/caption]

So Berger Boyz is the first mas band out of the blocks for Barbados' Crop-Over festival this year (unless Lights has had another 'exclusive' launch like last year).

And um... their presentation is called Togetherness... and... well there's nothing much more we can give you in terms of analysis because it's pretty but it doesn't mean a damn thing as you will see in the pics of our faves below.

Palancing in Kingston!

[caption id="attachment_2237" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Photo credit: SociaLingua"][/caption]

 

 The 'little carnival that could' - Jamaica Carnival, would have wrapped up today in Kingston. 

In the face of all resistance from many in JA society who decry Carnival as slackness (including, ironically, many supporters of the dancehall community) and lick out against it, Ja carnival keeps pressing on and growing. 

One of the best nights of JA Carnival is Jouvert - and even though Islandista is more partial to Joker's Wild Jouvert than Bacchanal Jamaica, these pics from Socia Lingua of Bacchanal's Jouvert on Friday night, kinda make us wish we were there!  

[caption id="attachment_2238" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Photo credit: Socia Lingua"][/caption]

 

 

Check out even more photos under the cut!

Happy birthday Shena!

[caption id="attachment_2201" align="alignleft" width="171" caption="Shena shares a laugh with Saint International CEO, Deweight Peters"][/caption]

Jamaica's teenage model phenom, Shena Moulton celebrated her sweet sixteen last week.

I know, I know... all of sixteen! Can you believe it?

She celebrated at a birthday party in her hometown of Kingston, which was thrown for her by her agency, Saint International.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner's fashion blog, the do at Mingles was a surprise party, as she thought Saint CEO Deweight Peters was just taking her out to dinner.

Now that she's 16, Shena's opportunities will be even greater as designers who did not/could not work with her before because of her age.

Oh... and she got to pierce her ears - a birthday treat from mummy Jacqui, who clearly doesn't play.

Bless.

And happy birthday!

Islandistas at the Brit Awards

The biggest night in British music came off two nights ago and plenty islandistas were in the mix and while none of them won any awards on the night, they at least looked the part.

X-Factor divas Alexandra Burke and Leona Lewis played against type in their outfits. Alexandra, who often rocks short dresses to show off her great legs, went very formal award show in a lovely long, strapless red Notte by Marchesa dress with a huge bow at the top.

[caption id="attachment_2016" align="aligncenter" width="196" caption="Photo credit: Splash News"][/caption]




Good girl Leona on the other hand, went edgy with a funky gun-metal silver William Tempest dress and bubble-gum pink Stella McCartney heels.

Love it. It looks like something Rihanna would wear and we mean that in the best way. Definitely hot.

'Strictly Come Dancing Host' Alesha Dixon and American singer Alicia Keys, who both have Jamaican fathers both went sparkly, dark and short for their dresses - but in very different ways.


[caption id="attachment_2018" align="aligncenter" width="406" caption="Photo credit: Getty Images"][/caption]

Alicia (or rather her makeup artist?) also went a biiiiit too happy with the bronzer. Not. a. good. look from the heck up. Great all the way down.

And we love the contrast of the juicy orange pumps with Alesha's sparkly dark mini.

Pre-Grammy fun - swag and parties

It is Grammy weekend people and that means celebs, style and lots of free swag (lucky, lucky them!).

Islandistas Rihanna and Melanie Fiona have been out and about this weekend, scooping up goodies in swag booth, and hitting the pre-parties - both to perform and to party.

Rihanna worked this architectural tulle Viktor & Rolf dress to Clive Davis' famous Grammy pre-party. It's a very hmmm... dress. Like hmmm do I love this bold fashion foray or hmmm is this just absurd? 

[caption id="attachment_1972" align="aligncenter" width="355" caption="Photo credit: JustJared.com"][/caption]

Ri-ri always pushes the fashion envelope, though doesn't she? Our thought was -how do you do anything that involves your left arm or left side in this dress? Can she even see over her shoulder to that person getting scrunched by tulle on her left?

[caption id="attachment_1970" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="photo credit: JustJared.com"][/caption]

 

She was in a much more laid back outfit earlier on the day while grabbing some free stuff from the swag booth set up for the Grammys, getting a home stereo system hook up and fittingly - some Marley Coffee.

Melanie Fiona was also turning her swag on and getting some free goodies.

She also hit the stage for the SRC Pre-Grammy party.

[caption id="attachment_1975" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Photo credit: @KaRaMaRiE_2009/Twitter.com"][/caption]

 

And of course, check Islandista later for more Grammy suss and style!

To Bey or not to Bey?

Ok, ok, that isn't really the question because there is no way in hell that TSTT, Brian Lara and Dwight Yorke are going to give up the big money bound to come in from the Beyonce concert scheduled for two days after Trini Carnival.

Especially not with the US$200 VVIP tickets sold out on the first day.

But with all the bacchanal swirling around the concert in Trinidad, what with concert promoters bawling out that it is going to hurt their business and people querying how the state-owned TSTT could be funding the concert over Carnival, we want to know what islandistas think.

On the one hand, we can definitely see the perspective of the promoters, because the Beyonce concert is going to suck out money that would have been going their way. Lawd knows Carnival is expensive as it is so people are going to have to pick between a fete (or two) and the Beyonce show.

On the other hand, we can also see this being a plus for Trinidad Carnival on the whole by bumping up the number of islandistas (and islandistos) that may decide to fly in for the festivities, since they can take in the concert same time.

And with Machel and Destra being out of Carnival this year and Alternative Concept squashed, this might be the crowd-puller that Carnival needs in these recessionary times...

What says you, islandistas?

Solid gold at 'A Night on Tracks'

[caption id="attachment_1853" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="The triumvirate of track. (All photo credits: trackalerts.com)"][/caption]




It was solid gold night on Sunday night in Kingston when Jamaican track star Asafa Powell hosted his charity event 'A Night on Tracks with Asafa Powell and Friends' at the Indoor Sports Centre.

And those friends? Pure stars.

Brit Islandistas run the red carpet

British islandistas were ruling the red carpet at the party Cash Money Records threw recently to celebrate their British signing, Jay Sean, reaching number one in the States, with his hit 'Down'.

Most of our favourite British islandistas were present to support Jay - Alexandra Burke, Jamelia, Keisha Buchanan and Alesha Dixon.

Alexandra Burke dazzled in a royal blue sequinned mini shift dress by French Connection.

Alesha also wore blue - but in velvet, one of the trends of the season. It's difficult to wear velvet without looking old and fusty but she managed it, in a short turquoise-blue velvet dress and sharp white jacket.

Loving it. It's a whole set of disparate looks (velvet dress, sparkly clutch, nude heels) but it all pulls together beautifully.

 Former and original Sugababe Keisha Buchanan also made a rare appearance in what appeared to be a little black dress which was mostly hidden under a white jacket.

Jamelia was also there in a rather blah black jersey dress that looked like something any chick could get in any high street store or strip mall or sidewalk store with her eyes closed. It just ain't saying nutten. The 'LOL' necklace is cute and cheeky though.

Islandistas turn out for Rihanna's Rated R album launch party

The launch party for Rihanna's Rated R album was held last night at the Juliette Superclub in the Big Apple and pure hotness ensued from the islandistas in attendance.

They were led of course by Ri-ri herself in a spiky gold dress and gold Louboutins that aren't even being sold to the public yet - ye, a so de girl hot.

Check it.

[caption id="attachment_1774" align="aligncenter" width="321" caption="photo via theybf.com"][/caption]

She was accompanid by BFF Melissa and changed into a red look later that night which we're not quite as enamoured of... though she is working the sheer black stockings trend that is making some waves right now.

[caption id="attachment_1775" align="aligncenter" width="313" caption="photo via theybf.com"][/caption]

Cayman's own Selita Ebanks was also working this look at the event in sheer tights, a big, luxurious fur and long leather gloves.

[caption id="attachment_1776" align="aligncenter" width="288" caption="photo via theybf.com"][/caption]

Trini-descended 'socialite' islandista aka the chick people love to hate, Ms Genevieve Jones in a dress that looks like something a slutty pixie would wear - with the sheer bodice and kerchief-hemmed skirt. Only Genevieve could get away with it.

[caption id="attachment_1777" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="photo via theybf.com"][/caption]

Bits and pieces - Leona's race ban, red carpet sightings and Rihanna to speak out

You know every now and then we have to do a pelau post when there's so much going on that we need to put it all in de pot! This is one of those - we have news from all over - on Ri-ri, Leona (Le-le?) and islandistas on the red carpet from Rio to London to L.A.

So to start with - islandistas have been all over people's red carpets over the last week - from the premieres of the Michael Jackson This Is It movie in London and Los Angeles, to Fashion Rocks in Brazil.

Check out a few of the looks below.

[caption id="attachment_1644" align="aligncenter" width="306" caption="Former Sugababe Keisha Buchanan was hot at the London premiere of This Is It in a jewel panelled LBD with a jewelled halter neckline."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="222" caption="Nia Long in textured black leggings and a black leather jacket at the LA premiere."][/caption]

For more looks and news on Rihanna's first public interview and Leona's racism run-in, read on.

Island folk honoured by Congressional Black Caucus

 



[caption id="attachment_1558" align="alignleft" width="293" caption="Sheryl Lee Ralph with her husband Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes. (Photo credit: Margot Jordon/Black Socialite)"][/caption]

Islandistas and islandistos were all up in the do two weekends ago when the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation held their annual Phoenix Awards and dinner in Washington D.C.

 

As ever, the event was a high-wattage gathering of true black star power and this year was topped off by an address by President Barack Obama.

Several island folk were honoured at this year's awards - Jamaican-born actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Haitian-born musician and humanitarian Wyclef Jean were among the honorees, as were islandistas by descent Cicely Tyson (born to Nevisian parents) and Susan Rice (of Jamaican descent).

Bermudan Premier Ewart Brown also turned out for the event, as did former Essence head honch Susan L. Taylor (Kittitian and Trini through her parents).

Makes you proud to be from one of these little rocks, doesn't it? : )

Check The Black Socialite and Fab Empire for more pics and coverage!

Islandistas out and about - Jourdan, Selita and ... Foxy?

[caption id="attachment_1504" align="alignleft" width="259" caption="Photo credit: Fashionologie"][/caption]

  She might be big pregnant but that is not stopping our favourite islandista model Jourdan Dunn, from making the scene during the Spring/Summer 2010 fashion season.



 

First, she was made an appearance for Vogue's big event, Fashion's Night Out in London and then she made it over to New York City for Fashion Week there and hung out  on the front rows and backstage with friends like Sessilee Lopez.

And now she's popping up at her hometown's own, London Fashion Week, taking in the Top Shop Unique(above) and Issa shows (below).

 

And it looks like pregnancy agrees with Jourdan as she is looking mighty perky in the cleavage department nowadays, especially in that Issa maxi dress.

Other islandistas have been out and about recently.

Caymanian Selita Ebanks made an appearance at the New Yorkers for Children charity ball last night in a gorrrr-geous yellow J. Mendel gown.

And on the less than fab side, Trini-descended former jailbird and (former?) rapper Foxy Brown surfaced at the VH1 Hip Hop Honours last night. Looking ... like this.

What precisely is going on here? Nobody could have told her this was cute. Damn it, Foxy.

Islandista Fashion Notes - Fashion Night Out & Alex Burke's saucy dress

Oh islandistas, so much is happening right now in the world where islandistaness (yeh, just made it up), and fashion intersect, that we can scarcely keep up!

New York Fashion Week is on like boil corn and you know we will be giving you the news from the runways and red carpets.

And of course... the parties. Vogue did it big like only they can last night when they hosted the global Fashion Night Out (FNO) - a night of retail therapy, model mingling and retail recovery in every city and country where Vogue is published.

Naturally, some of our fashionista islandistas made appearances at various FNOs - Rihanna and Estelle were spotted at events for the New York City FNO while supermodel preggy Jourdan Dunn was at the London FNO.

Oh Ri-Ri, what have you done? Fools in the club are still stumbling around wearing those Kanye West shutter shades all two years after the 'Stronger' music video - now you give them this?

TC wins at last... and how!

[caption id="attachment_1305" align="alignleft" width="269" caption="photo source: Nationnews.com"][/caption]

For years now, Barbados' TC has been one of those 'always a bridesmaid, never a bride' kaisonians.

Second and third place knew her well and even though she was a perpetual finalist in Barbados' Calypso Monarch contest and a regular finalist in the Party Monarch contest, she never could seem to make the breakthrough.

Sometimes the judges seemed to mess her up, preferring 'shareholders' like Red Plastic Bag and Gabby to her and sometimes she was her own worst enemy like in 2005 when she had the Calypso Monarch title in her hand after a brilliant first half and then just dashed it away with a weirdly low-key performance of her bigger song in the second half.

But...she did it at last!

Today at Farley Hill, TC won not just the Party Monarch contest but the first ever Sweet Soca (aka groovy soca) contest with her big tune Hot Sun and Riddim.

No longer will she have to endure the 'she's a great calypsonian but..."  discussion.

She got crowns now.

Honestly, the Party Monarch result took folks by surprise, especially since TC was one of three contestants who just re-sang the song they performed like... an hour earlier in the Sweet Soca contest.