OCEAN Style Magazine

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TOP SPAS JAMAICA GIRLS IN THE CITY spas to shopping, a weekend of fun in new york & miami

JAY-Z TOUR DIARY

witness as kingdom comes, from nigeria to thailand and beyond

AIR JAMAICA

more than just an airline

FREDDIE LEIBA celebrity stylist; from madonna to beyoncé - he’s done them all

+ SEAN PAUL CELEBRATES TOBAGO UNCOVERED MTV TEMPO TURNS ONE GRENADA: SPICE ISLE CUISINE

mya liberates her inner beauty

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Mya photographed exclusively for Ocean Style by Colin Williams

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25 FASHION + STYLE 25 hide your ways high fashion brought to you by New York fashion photographer Dagmara 38 snapshot! jamaican TV host, singer and entrepreneur, Empress, shares her personal style profile 39 my lingerie muse hot looks for your intimate side BEAUTY 24 makin’ pretty hot beauty products to step up your glam HEALTH + FITNESS 55 cancer prevention and your diet how a few simple changes to your diet can help prevent cancer FEATURES 43 the leiba touch the life and career of celebrity stylist extraordinaire, Freddie Leiba 49 the liberation of Mya how the singer and performer – ever loyal to her Caribbean fans – found her soul 91 air jamaica: more than just an airline facing the ups and downs of the airline industry as a Caribbean giant

91 ESCAPE 60 happy hours at scotch on the rocks reuniting families with style and grace in Ocho Rios, Jamaica 66 Jamaica: 5 best spas rejuvenate and recharge in the West’s premier spas 69 divas in the city your guide to a girls’ weekend in two of America’s hottest cities: New York and Miami 74 Tobago, a hidden gem find out about one of the Caribbean’s most special and untouched islands THE WORD ON …

21 trends: what’s hot & what’s not 61 food: spice it up with Grenada’s famous island cuisine 64 drinks: new drinks causing a stir!

87 celeb life: ocean cocktail presents Jay-Z’s tour diary ON SPOT jamaica’s flutes + flames mtv tempo turns one british airways celebrates 60 years Sean Paul celebrates the COTT awards

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ON THE REGULAR ADVERTISER’S CONTACT PAGE 11 EDITOR’S NOTE 14 LETTER’S TO THE EDITOR 16 CONTRIBUTORS 18 HOROSCOPE 83

CONTENTS OCEAN STYLE / VOLUME 3 / ISSUE 1

DESTINATIONS Tobago House of Assembly - Tobago 868.639.4636 contact@visittobago.gov.tt www.visittobago.gov.tt Tourism Development Company - T&T 868.675.7034 tourism-inf@tdc.co.tt www.visitTNT.com

AIR, HOTELS & SPAS Air Jamaica 1.800.LOVEBIRD www.airjamaica.com Cascadia Hotel 868.623.3511 marketing@cascadiahotel.com www.cascadiahotel.com Night Hotel 212.835.9600 www.nighthotelny.com Sandals Resor ts 1.800.SANDALS www.sandals.com Royal Plantations 1.888.48.ROYAL www.royalplantation.com Stonehaven Villas 868.639.0361 www.stonehavenvillas.com Hilton Trinidad & Conference Center 868.624.3211 www.trinidad.hilton.com Jamaica Pegasus 876.226.3690 jamaicapegasus.com Tradewinds Hotel 868.652.WIND www.tradewindshotel.com Half Moon 876.953.2615 www.halfmoon.com La Vita Day Spa 868.627.3252 www.livelavita.com

BANKING, FINANCE & INSURANCE CLICO 868.625.4444 www.clico.com Firs t Citizens Bank 868.62.FIRST www.simplyfirst.net TT Mor tgage Finance (TTMF) 868.625.TTMF info@ttmf.co.tt www.ttmf-mortgage.com Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) 868.625.UNIT www.ttutc.com AUTOMOTIVE & RENTAL CARS Jaguar (Classic Motors) 868.625.7775 classicmotors@tstt.net.tt Kalloo’s Auto Rentals 868.628.2394 kalloos@tstt.net.tt

MEDIA CNMG 91.9 868.628.3460 Tempo – an MTV Network www.gottempo.com WinTV www.wintvworld.com

OTHER PRODUCTS & SERVICES DelancyHill Law Offices Kiss Baking Company 868.672.CAKE Copyright Organization of Trinidad (COTT) 868.624.COTT www.cott.org.tt Motorola www.motorola.com B + R Interiors 868.692.8855 brinteriordesign.com Millenium Lakes Golf & Country Club www.hcltt.com Westshore Medical 868.622.9878 westshoremarketing@tstt.net.tt BK Fashion Weekend www.bkfashionweekend.com T&T Elec tricity Commission (T&TEC) Cancer Society – T&T 868.800.TTCS Sounds of Shoes & Sandals 868.622.9095 Revlon www.revlon.com

ADVERTISER’S CONTACT PAGE www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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EDITOR IN CHIEF DOUGLAS K. GORDON MANAGING EDITOR ANNA-LISA MILLER

FASHION + LIFESTYLE COLIN WILLIAMS – SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER RICK DAVY – SENIOR ART + FASHION CONTRIBUTOR JASMINE DOTIWALA – SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR NOVIA MCDONALD-WHYTE – SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR KAILI MCDONNOUGH – SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR MIRAH LIM – SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR NEKISHA MOHAN – SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR TEXT + PHOTOS MEREDITH HAYNES, CYBELE SANDY, TRICIA MOUTTET, MARCIA ERSKINE, CURTIS CHASE, ELINA FURMAN, LINK ROBERTS, DAGMARA, ROBERT MANELLA, ISABELLE BOURKE, CAROLINE COUSINS, ROSEMARY PARKINSON, ANDREW MANSWELL, CLEON HENRY, NIKISHA JACKSON, (FLUTES + FLAMES PHOTOGRAPHER) ART + DESIGN + LAYOUT ART DIRECTOR: FRANK RENEAU, CREATIVE CONSULTANT: QUINCY ROSS, WEBMASTER: ANDREW MANSWELL, WEBSITE EDITOR: KELLY PARRIS ADVERTISING SALES USA: 305.921.9052 FAX 305.395.5195 TRINIDAD: 868-694-2243 JAMAICA: 876.960.3170 FAX 876.920.8848 E-MAIL: ADS@OCEANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION: RETAIL ENQUIRIES: 868.694.2243 SUBSCRIPTIONS: USA: 866.400.2510 (TOLL FREE) CARIBBEAN: 868.622.6247 WEB: WWW.OCEANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM/SUBSCRIBE E-MAIL: SUBSCRIBE@OCEANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: E-MAIL: EDITOR@OCEANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM MAIL: 11435 NW 34TH STREET, SUITE 412, MIAMI, FL 33178 FAX: 305.395.5195 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: JANE MACDONALD PUBLISHER

BLUE WOLF MEDIA COMPANY PRESIDENT DEIKA MORRISON

NO PART OF OCEAN STYLE MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM BLUE WOLF MEDIA COMPANY. FOR ADDITIONAL REPRINT INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT INFO@OCEANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM OR FAX US AT 305-395-5195.

W W W. O C E A N ST Y L E M A G A Z I NE . C O M

W

e bring this issue of Ocean Style to a close with a feeling of great pride and hopeful anticipation.

We are grateful to the many people who chose to send us their comments and feedback on the last issue. Those comments play an invaluable role in helping us to refine the content of the magazine so that we may continue along a path of continuous improvement. The decision to put the magazine online has been well supported by feedback and comments we’ve received, as well the tremendous number of people who logged on to www.oceanstylemagazine.com - exceeding even our most enthusiast projections!

The opportunity to shoot R&B singer and actress Mya signals a terrific leap forward for Ocean Style. It reinforces the acceptance the magazine is beginning to get in the corridors of international celebrity - where individuals are brands to be protected and guarded and selectively showcased. We are proud of the job Colin Williams and Rick Davy did in making that shoot come alive. We are especially grateful to Nalil Sirjoo at the Night Hotel for accommodating our needs in their chic boutique hotel - a must visit for anyone hitting New York City.

Interviewing Freddie Leiba was a great pleasure. He has led a truly fascinating life, tracing his pivotal experiences from a simple Caribbean beginning to the top of the fashion world where he can count InStyle magazine, Calvin Klein and Tom Ford as clients and Janet Jackson, Madonna, Beyonce, Johnny Depp, Elizabeth Hurley and others as but a mere handful of the celebrities with whom who he has worked. As my first feature piece for the magazine, my hope is that it will stand the critical test of our readers and will not end up being my last!

We feel that our efforts to develop our content are well reflected in this issue. The team that we have now assembled is the one that will take Ocean Style forward and to new heights. They are professional, experienced and extremely talented. It has helped us to refine our content and tailor our offerings so that from story ideas to editing to layout the Ocean Style that you now see is the new platform upon which we will continue to build and tweak.

As we put this issue to bed I can only say that the best is yet to come. Our progress to date has now allowed us the opportunity to recruit new senior management and for that we have great expectations. The magazine is now poised to leverage the positive feedback into greater distribution through new channels and mechanisms and therefore a wider circulation. Our online version has received tremendous traffic and support from our readers and has encouraged and informed our plans for the next few issues, which we will unveil in the near future. As we expand our relationships with existing advertisers and develop relationships with new partners we will also continue to seek and secure promotional opportunities to benefit our subscribers.

We have made a number of changes and while it has been a great pleasure to serve as Editor in Chief of Ocean Style, time and growth require that we make changes. You can be sure to see reflections of those changes in the issues to come.

Please continue to send me your thoughts and suggestions at douglas@oceanstylemagazine.com.

Every Good Wish!

Douglas K. Gordon

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EDITOR’S NOTE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Looks like you have another winner on your hands Douglas. I found pages 7 & 8 to be truly inspiring and another innovative way to get the message out to women about the dangers of cancer. My friend and editor Suzanne thinks the ads are brilliant and they would translate very well in overseas publications. She also thinks that you should use a similar message to get the word out about AIDS in the Caribbean. The magazine overall is brilliant.

James M. New York I am quite impressed with this magazine, the quality is of a high standard.

Congratulations, Howard Chin Lee Minister of Tourism Trinidad and Tobago Hello Douglas, Ocean Style is a production of admirable quality of which the people of the Caribbean can be truly proud. However, may I suggest that an article on SPORT be included in each succeeding issue especially as Sport Tourism is taking root in the region. Please do not merely keep up the good work but strive to improve both the content and the readership.

Regards Jack Warner FIFA Vice President Hi Ocean Style, I absolutely love the magazine. I love the

pictures and the way it is put together is incredible. Really beautiful. I don’t believe there is anything looking so slick and well put together like your magazine in our industry that can stand alongside Essence magazine etc...

Michelle K. Williams President/Director of Music & Video Catalyst Entertainment I am very impressed by the new layout. I was particularly impressed with the article on Cervical Cancer…keep up the great work.

Regards Rhonda Alfonso Trinidad Hi Douglas, How are you? Congrats on your magazine. I was in Kingston last week and mummy handed me this magazine knowing it was yours and said “Look at

OCEAN STYLE

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Man, this magazine is just awesome, honestly. The colors are so vibrant and rich, the layout and photography was just so clean cut and riveting. I love the clothing and swimwear and am compelled to get their web-sites to actually order a couple of items.

But love the variety of articles and fashion and travel and leisure ads. Just brilliant. I just love it! It’s great.

Tiffany G. Atlanta, GA

I saw Ocean Style Magazine online, just thought I’d drop you a line on how impressive this issue is. It really captures an international look. Excellent work. I wish you and your team all the best.

Look forward to the next issue!

Cheers, Alicia Hart

I am truly impressed with the quality of work that you put into this magazine. It is refreshing to see such a magazine coming out of the Caribbean. The content is attention grabbing and not just geared toward the TnT market.

I also like the fact that each edition has lived up to same quality of the other. I have flipped through several times to see if I can find some fault with it, but I am coming up blank. Kudos to you and your staff.

Helen Wright New York

Hey I love the magazine... I bought it some time ago in New York... I do not usually buy magazines... I saw this magazine that had a girl in costume on the cover and bought it... Keep up the good work.....

Kathleen Carroll New York

this page." When I looked it took me a couple of seconds to figure out it was you. Good job Douglas. You must be very proud of yourself and rightfully so. I really like it. I must say I am very impressed. Looking forward to the next.

Marika Kessler Kingston, Jamaica Saw the magazine online.

It’s EXCELLENT. SO GLOSSY AND INTERNATIONAL. Keep up the great work!

Cheers Onika Great job! How often does your magazine come out? I would love to subscribe. Let me know how I can do that.

As a citizen of the Caribbean I am really proud.

Lystra Lewis Atlanta, GA

We at Ocean Style value our readers’ opinions. This issue we’d like to thank all of you who wrote in with such positive feedback. Ocean Style would like to hear your thoughts, opinions, likes, dislikes, recommendations and comments about our articles. Let us know what’s on your mind.

E-mail douglas@oceanstylemagazine.com. We hope you enjoy this issue!

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I have to say this issue of Ocean Style looks like the best yet. Visually it is fabulous. The photography is great. And I think you finally look like a celeb magazine. The magazine does not seem to be all over the place as previous issues have been. There’s a lot of interesting content and the ads are gorgeous. It is always good to have ads that blend with the magazine.

Congrats, Laura Dowrich

GREAT - hugely professional magazine.

This is as professional and slick as it can get - even in the metropolitan countries.

But then I have long been completely impressed with the job we do in TT in this realm, at least. Only comment is that I would make the page turning somehow easier to understand. I’m not exactly computer illiterate but had some trouble in getting them to turn. Best of luck with it!

Erica Williams Connell, Miami, FL WOW! This is incredibly impressive. I can’t believe how international it looks for a Caribbean (publication). The models all look rich and polished and I love the front cover. I love all the shots and the magazine in general.

My respects!

Barry Telesford The best edition yet, the quality has consistently improved keep it up. Ocean Style is in a class all by itself.

Brian Colthrust Bohemian Ritualz

Douglas, This mag looks fab! All success to you.

The magazine does not appear Caribbean I get the feeling that it’s appeal is meant for a West Indian audience that’s internationally as well as regionally based. It has a rough sophisticated appeal.

All luck to you!

Claudia Pegus Designer I love the magazine. It truly has evolved.

Christopher Howard Los Angeles, CA Douglas, Eye catching, modern, stylish, fun, great photography, interesting people & articles (from what I could see), nice mix, a brilliant publication, I just wanted to keep turning the pages!

Angeli Elliott Dear Douglas This is very well done, as professional and international as they come.

Best wishes, Garvin Nicholas Trinidad and Tobago

868.692.8855

CONTRIBUTORS Caribbean author and food critic, Barbados-born Rosemary Parkinson is the daughter of celebrated artist, the late Gordon Parkinson and national bridge player, Dickie Parkinson. A food lover like no other Parkinson travels the islands, camera in hand, nose in every pot in search of a good food story. Author of Shake Dat Cocktail, Culinaria: The Caribbean, she is also the food critic for The Daily Gleaner. A regular contributor to Jamaica Eats, Altitude, Skywritings, Health Home & Gardens Parkinson resides in Montego Bay Jamaica, where in her spare time she dabbles in photography and paints. In 2007, Parkinson will release three new titles - Nyam Jamaica, Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres with Norma Shirley and Jerking Around Jamaica.

Colin Williams is infamous for setting a stage for eye candy and lots of drama. Though he is no stranger to photographing beautiful celebrities, he found R&B sensation Mya especially wonderful/superb to work with. “Mya is the ultimate!" says Colin. “She exuded the type of poise and professionalism on the set that made the shoot a breeze." The former model found himself studying under the direction of Albert Watson while juggling the world of film, music video and TV commercials. When he is not creating beautiful images, he is spending time with his two daughters traveling and throwing one of the hippest underground parties in NYC under his alter ego handle The Last Soul Boy. Kinisha O’Neill has written for the two largest newspapers in Jamaica and has had articles published and edited for magazines and e-zines throughout the Caribbean region and beyond. She is currently doing her Masters in Communications for Social & Behavior Change at the University of the West Indies. The program melds her passion for writing and doing other creative work with her quest to be involved in social development, particularly within the Caribbean region. Besides writing, Kinisha is working on a Jamaican tourism website that will have an artsy twist and an unconventional look at a Jamaica’s tourism product.

THE WORD ON...

WHAT’S HOT

& WHAT’S NOT

Non-matching shoes and bags…wearing white after Labor Day…doing whatever you want!

FASHION TREND

Master Cleanse

POTENTIALLY UNHEALTHY, BUT EFFECTIVE WEIGHT LOSS TACTIC

Pan’s Labyrinth

OSCAR WORTHY

Trinidadian reggae deejay’s Bushy brows You Tube

BREAKING WAVES ON THE MUSIC SCENE FACE TIME GUILTY INTERNET PLEASURE

Following old school fashion rules

Atkins

Dreamgirls (except for Jennifer Hudson!)

Trinidadian soca artists Red lipstick My Space

ON SPOT: FLUTES & FLAMES The Jamaican Christmas season opened in November with Flutes & Flames, a pairing of champagne and grilled meat, with chefs Norma Shirley, Mario Machado, Colin Hylton, Kanard Swaby and Kingsley John of New York’s Aquavit. As the chefs whipped up delights like age-grilled rib eye, seared roasted quails and grilled lamb with cashew chutney on outdoor grills, guests enjoyed Möet & Chandon and musical performances of former Miss World 1976 Cindy Breakespeare, Rupert Bent Sr., the jazz band of Dr. Cathy Brown and Brazilian piano prodigy Ishmael.

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Diana Stewar t of Stewart’s Auto Sales, Nicola Mair and Her Excellency Leonora Rueda, Mexican Ambassador to Jamaica 2D Debra 1D Lopez, Anya Schnoor, Connie Zahner, Monique Todd and Emma Sharpe, food writer for the Daily Gleaner, all enjoy a glass of bubbly Anne Marie Vaz, wife of Jamaica Labour Party Caretaker for West Portland, Daryl Vaz, Stephanie Scott and Melanie Schwapp 4C Carol 3A Pessoa and her beau, financial analyst Keith Collister 5R Rodney Davis, CEO, Cable & Wireless Jamaica and Ron Kelly of the Hilton Hotel Larr y Watson and David McConnell of J. Wray and 6Chef Mario Machado of Kingston’s Mac’s Chophouse dishes out the grilled rib eye 7L Bridgette Lewis of Scotiabank Private Banking shares a moment with her boss Bill Clarke, President and CEO Scotiabank Janephew 8B maica 9Longtime friends Tina Matalon, Odette Eps tein and Peter Matalon 10After dinner Bonnie Kelly, Chef Kingsley John and Ruth and Michelle Hussey of the Terra Nova All Suites Hotel take a break to enjoy the live music 11Cheers! Recordings artist Tami Chin and Wayne Marshall, Stephanie Scott, Nicholas Scott and Kim Bernard of Stewart’s Auto Sales 12Jamaican beauty Cindy Breakespeare, Stephanie Fournier, Kevin Bar ton, Robbie Eps tein and Bridgette Lewis gather together and smile for the camera 22

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BEAUTY

STYLE + FASHION

MAKIN’ PRETTY

WORDS BY ISABELLE BOURKE

Hot beauty products

FAN BRUSH #22 BY SMASHBOX A ‘must have’ accessory in any woman’s make up kit, this brush can offer a soft and gentle sweep of glitter to the cheek bone for added evening glamour. It’s versatile too and can be used to remove excess powder or eye shadow without creating smudges. $18, smashbox.com

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ROUGE DIOR LIPSTICK IN ‘CELEBRITY RED’ First introduced by Christian Dior in 1955, This classic red makes any woman’s pout irresistible. Here’s the twist: the modern version includes an ingredient that helps plump lips. Its comeback amongst the Hollywood scene includes spokeswoman Monica Belluci. $24, dior.com

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DÉLICES DE CARTIER Warm, citrusy sweet fragrance with vanilla undertones. A delicious addition to any perfume lover’s collection. This titillating fragrance completes the glamour woman’s evening attire. $60-75, cartier.com

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ROUGE HOLLYWOOD BY GUERLAIN Have sophisticated toes in your slinky Manolos with a nail enamel by one of France’s most venerated houses of beauty, Guerlain. The gorgeous bottle only adds to the feeling of decadence to one’s pedicure routine. $18, guerlain.com

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LORAC THE SOCIAL BEAUTYFLY Sparkle your way through the party with this deluxe face collection. The luxurious kit includes eyeshadows, blush, luminizing powder and lip polish – all in a chic red and gold box. A MUST for the social butterfly. $49, sephora.com

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HIDE YOUR WAYS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAGMARA

HAIR NEWS! Ojon Hair System Celebrities best kept secret is Ojon Restorative Treatment. A great all-in-one conditioner to help bring life back to dull, overtreated hair. Use as a deep-conditioner once a month. To maintain your hair weekly, try Ojon Ultra-Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner.

The great-smelling shampoo leaves your hair soft and manageable, and doubles as a detangler. ojonhaircare.com

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In-Grow Medi Cream: The Bikini Saver!

One Step Treatment and prevention of in-grown hair!

In-Grow promises to eliminate and prevent in-grown hair, bumps, razor rash, wax rash, skin irritation, as well as skin blemish on the face, head, neck, underarm, bikini, legs and all that’s in-between. The best part? Not only is it for Men and Women but it is backed by a 100 percent guarantee! In-Grow works through a combination of natural active ingredients that include, Resorcinol (sloughs/peels away dead skin tissue), Vitamin A (regulates the growth and activity of epithelial (outer) skin cells and promotes the growth of healthy skin tissue), Bromelain (an enzyme from pineapple to assist exfoliation and to soothe irritation) and Australian Tea Tree Oil to help control skin irritation and inhibit bacterial contamination. It’s must have in your cosmetic case or shaving kit!

STYLE + FASHION

Dress by J. Lindeberg Tights by Wolford Boots by Georgina Goodman Gloves by Lacrasia

STYLE + FASHION

PREVIOUS PAGE Black smock, blouse, caplet boots and tights by Boudicca

THIS PAGE TOP Knit hood by Rubin Chapelle BOTTOM LEFT Short jumpsuit by J. Lindeberg Gloves by Lacrasia gloves Boots by Calvin Klein BOTTOM RIGHT Knit hood by Rubin Chapelle Tights by Wolford tights Boots by Boudicca

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STYLE + FASHION

THIS PAGE TOP Shoes by Michael Perry BOTTOM Black belted jacket by Boudicca

Brown dress by Jean-Paul Gautier Belt by Boudicca

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TOP Cropped jacket and gathered pant by Jean-Paul Gautier Ankle boots by Michel Perry BOTTOM LEFT Dress by J. Lindeberg Tights by Wolford tights Boots by Georgina Goodman boots Gloves by Lacrasia BOTTOM RIGHT Printed dress by Jean-Paul Gautier Boots by Michel Perry

NEXT PAGE Black smock by Boudicca Vintage veil by Chanel

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Cropped jacket and gathered pant by Jean-Paul Gautier

Model: Svetlana, courtesy of NYC Models Photography by Dagmara - dagmaraphotography.com Styling by Carlton Jones - carltonjonesNYC.com Make-up by Sonja - sonjamakeup.com Hair by Miki Mori - utopianyc.com 32

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ON SPOT: TEMPO TURNS ONE Trinidad Birthday Party; Port of Spain, Trinidad

PHOTOS COURTESY OF islandevents.com

MTV’s TEMPO music video channel recently celebrated its one year birthday with a bash in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The brainchild of CEO Frederick Morton, the channel is already broadcast in over 21 countries and has quickly become a dominant force in the music industry throughout the region. Ocean Style captures some of the faces on the red carpet!

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1The beautiful TEMPO VJ Anushka 2The bMobile ladies welcome the VIP guests 3Esco – Dr. Evil and Leftside 4Journalist and personality Francesca Hawkins and friend 5Soca stars Iwer George and Rupee with TEMPO CEO Frederick Mor ton 6Singer Patrice Roberts 7Caribbean Unity – Gorgeous TEMPO VJ Janielle back in her home of Trinidad, celebrates with Barbadian star Rupee 8Always a sight to behold Leasel Rovedas celebrates with TEMPO 9Soca Megastar Machel Montano with Frederick Morton 10Former Miss Trinidad Sydney Lara, daughter of West Indies captain and Tobago Danielle Jones (2nd from left) radiates with friends Jason, Jules and friend 11S and world record batting star Brian Lara joined mom Leasel Rovedas at the star-studded event 12Jamaican dancehall sensation Voicemail were on hand to share in the festivities www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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ON SPOT: BRITISH AIRWAYS CELEBRATES After six decades of being the mainstay airlink between the UK and the Caribbean, British Airways held a celebratory black-tie dinner at the Jamaica Pegasus to mark the occasion.

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9 1(l-r) Diane Corrie, British Airways Commercial Manager for the Caribbean, Senator The Honorable Delano Franklyn, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica and Dr. Oliver King, Sr. British Airways Vice President for Latin America & the Caribbean 2British Airways Jamaica Engineer, Bertram Clarke (2nd left), Ian Blackman (3rd left), VP Customer Services, Latin America & the Caribbean and Florida with Mrs. Clarke (left) and H.E. Jeremy Cres well, British High Commissioner to Jamaica 3HusCamilla Lue of British Airways Jamaica chats with band and wife CharIie and Lisa Johns ton enjoy an exchange with Diane Corrie 4C British Airways Account Manager UK & Ireland Leisure Sales, Mark Williams 5Dr. Oliver King, Sr. presents the ‘Oldest Corporate Ann Marie Chin of Kingston’s Total Travel-British Airways’ Customer’ award to Evon G arrick of Cable & Wireless Jamaica Ltd. 6A “Top Performing Local Travel Agency” shares the spotlight with Dr. Oliver King, Sr. 7IIgnatus Patter son, BA Jamaica’s ‘Longest Serving Employee’ receives the 60th anniversary award from (left) Michael Holder, Service Delivery Manager, British Airways Barbados and Ian Blackman 8Former West Indies Test cricketer Ambassador Cour tney Walsh, and Georgette Manning 9Oh what a night! A celebratory British Airways team www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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SNAPSHOT!

Empress, 25, Kingston, Jamaica T.V. Host, singer, entrepreneur

STYLE + FASHION

What are you wearing today?

Today I’m wearing one of my favorite suits. It had rust stains on it and I used salt and lime to get it out. It still has a little stain, but it’s my favorite suit in the world. My shell earrings are too big to wear all the time, so I only wear them for shoots or to do a show. And, of course, these are my Michael Kors shoes.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Calalloo and bread.

Why, are you vegetarian?

I eat fish and I’ll have chicken once every two months because I just have a craving for it. I don’t eat pork or beef. I just don’t like it, it’s too heavy. I don’t think red meat is a good thing.

What do you do?

Love life. No, I’m a television host, I own a clothing boutique and I’m a singer. I host two shows on BETJ and one on RETV. What’s up with the name Empress?

Empress is a nickname my parents and uncle gave me as a baby. My name is E. Camille Mullings – E for Empress. It’s also a common name in Jamaica representing a black queen. I love the name; it has an aura of royalty. I look up to certain empresses, like Empress Menin of Ethiopia.

Tell me about your look.

I love animal prints. If I see something I like and I’d like to be able to wear, I find a way to wear it. I like to be creative, to create my own vibe.

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When you’re getting dressed everyday, what is it that you must do no matter what?

Depends on where I’m going. I usually throw on Rasta colors when I’m down, and I have a lot of clothes like that. It’s a pick-me-up outfit.

What are you doing after this?

I’m going to my clothing boutique to host a drink-up for some up-and-coming artists who were on the RETV High School Tour. It’s a private bottle party.

My boutique is a fashion and entertainment hangout spot called Stanley & Empress Boutique.

Who are your style icons?

Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. They kill. I love ‘em!

Lauryn Hill then or now?

I’d say Lauryn Hill then. I haven’t been following up with her too much lately, so I don’t really know what she’s been up to.

Where are you from?

I was born in Australia to Jamaican parents. I came back to Jamaica to spend my primary years in Falmouth. Then I spent a year in Spanish Town and then went to Miami. I went back to finish high school in Australia. After high school I was between L.A., N.Y. and Jamaica, and then I finally made the decision to move back to Jamaica for good about two years ago.

MY LINGERIE MUSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT MANELLA

PREVIOUS PAGE Lingerie by Fig Leaves Accessories by Passion Style Shoes by Cherin’s Shoes Outlet

STYLE + FASHION

THIS PAGE Lingerie by Fig Leaves Accessories by Passion Style

Model: Ana Cristina Randolph Photography by Robert Manella Art/Creative Direction: Rick Davy Location: FEW Studios Stylist: Keith Ritzberg Production Assistant: ‘Trini’ Bruce Wayne WHERE TO BUY Accessories: Helene Zubekdia (Paris) Luc Kieffer (Paris) Raffaelle C.Paola - 212.633.0828 Fig Leaves: www.figleaves.com Victoria’s Secret: www.victoriassecret.com H&M: www.HM.com Cherins Shoe Outlet, Brooklyn NY

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THE LEIBA TO U C H Freddie Leiba - Celebrity Stylist Extraordinaire WORDS BY DOUGLAS GORDON PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT MANELLA

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I was blessed to make the right choices and be in the place.

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he extent of Freddie Leiba’s influence is not apparent on first impression.

Freddie Leiba is a genteel, elegant man with a soft spoken and very deliberate manner. He is proper yet warm and welcoming, dapper yet uncomplicated. In a word he is a gentleman.

Despite his understated demeanor, Freddie has had anything but a gentle impact on the fashion industry. Hopping from New York to Los Angeles, and to England, Paris and Italy, he is truly a stylist of international repute and influence. Through his work with some of the most famous and most photographed women in the world, as well as, the magazine covers he styles for InStyle Magazine, Freddie inspires and influences millions of people on a regular basis. When the newspapers or society columns call Freddie a ‘celebrity stylist’ they are accurate in describing a man who has worked with some of the most recognized and respected names in the world.

On a mild winter afternoon in New York City, Freddie invited me to his apartment to discuss his life and career over what any proper gentleman would offer his guest, a hot pot of tea.

It was no surprise that Freddie’s home was no ordinary New York apartment. Located along Manhattan’s famed Central Park West, Freddie’s home is a stunning two-story Penthouse with breathtaking panoramic views and a one of kind style. The walls of Freddie’s home are adorned with captivating artwork and intriguing photographs from some of the top photographers of this era – all of whom Freddie has worked with at some point during his career. Against a backdrop of warm, dark hues, ornate African artifacts nestle between Freddie’s exquisite furniture. The apartment delivers an informed knowledge of the personality known as Freddie Leiba – simple, extremely classy, very cultured and practical.

Freddie’s journey from humble origins to the top of the fashion world is as interesting as it is unique. Freddie was raised by a single mother on the small Caribbean island of Trinidad. From a young age he was quite aware of his passion for, in fact his budding obsession with, the fashion world. His early introduction to fashion and glamour came from movies and high fashion magazines – British and American Vogue for which he had to go to the public library. When Freddie’s mother moved to the US he stayed behind to live with his aunt and uncle and continued to hone and refine his love of all things glamorous.

He candidly relates of his early appreciation for style and beauty “all my girlfriends had to be glamorous! I wouldn’t speak to anyone who wasn’t glamorous.”

Freddie attributes much of his success to good luck and great timing but there is no doubt his raw talent, passion for excellence and gentlemanly nature took him most of the way. To hear Freddie’s tale is to appreciate the importance of solid values, a strong sense of self and resisting the temptation of becoming consumed by “who” and “what” surround you in life.

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Freddie left Trinidad at the age of 12 to join his mother in the United States. His natural gift of drawing and hopes of becoming a fashion designer drew him towards the acclaimed Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. While at FIT Freddie won a scholarship for young top designers, which led to a TV appearance and a feature in the prominent fashion publication, Women’s Wear Daily. The exposure propelled Freddie forward and landed him a job in the early 1960s as an assistant at a lingerie company.

Through his scholarship Freddie was also able to make a number of contacts in London. For Freddie, London was the mecca of fashion in the 60’s and it took little encouragement from his contacts to get him to relocate. When he arrived in the English capital, he immediately contacted Joanna Brodden, the then Fashion Director at the Royal College of Art, and Vanessa Denza, a fashion buyer at Escalade (a very trendy shop in the 1960s), both of whom provided Freddie with key introductions and guidance.

Freddie’s first major job in London was working as an assistant with designer Gerard McCann. He later took an opportunity to design a collection for Baron & Company (Baron supplied prêta-porter to department stores in England) but because the company soon went bankrupt, Freddie was once again in search of work. Freddie’s big break in London came when he landed a job on famous King’s Road. At that time, King’s Road was simply a ‘great place to be’. It was where all the celebrities and models went to shop. Freddie worked retail at Brown’s of London (the US equivalent would be Barney’s), one of the most influential boutiques in the world of fashion, then and now. Under the direction of owner Joan Bernstein, Brown’s developed a reputation for discovering and showcasing young and extremely talented designers. Some of the designers discovered at Brown’s include Karl Lagerfeld (at that time designing for Chloe), Giovanni Versace (Kaligan) and Giorgio Armani (designing for Cerutti). Brown’s clientele included the top models of the era, along with all the top stars in the world, including Barbara Streisand and Frank Sinatra.

COMING (BACK) TO AMERICA Freddie’s time in London was cut short abruptly when authorities forced his quick exit from London. Freddie never took care of his immigration status, which in those days was a very simple exercise. Such was the pace of Freddie’s world that he simply deferred the mundane details of his life. However, his decision to put off dealing with his immigration status ultimately had serious consequences as that fateful day arrived when British immigration officials forced Freddie to leave London without notice – leaving behind his apartment and everything he owned.

From London, Freddie moved back to New York. And although he had developed a number of contacts, he more or less had to start from scratch. Thankfully he had a strong network of friends and business associates, which in time opened up new doors and opportunities. Through a friend at Molton Brown, an affiliate of Brown’s, Freddie met top photographer Albert Watson. Freddie began working with Watson and although there was no defined role for stylists in the world of photography at that time, Freddie began learning how to put together a creative piece through the photographer’s eyes. It was his

work with Watson, and later Irving Penn and some of the other masters of photography, to which Freddie attributes much of his success.

Freddie’s foray into the world of photography piqued his interest in directing his design skills toward print media, particularly fashion magazines. However, 1970s New York provided limited opportunity for Freddie and his new aspirations. First, fashion photography had no defined role for stylists, and second, the magazine industry was extremely elitist, which in those days meant there were simply no black people working at magazines. It was Freddie’s experience in London that gave him enough of an edge to push past these barriers and demonstrate his unparalleled talent. Freddie was hired by Interview Magazine where he most memorably styled a fifteen year old Jodie Foster for the cover, as well Mary Tyler-Moore and a whole host of other leading stars of the time.

The 1970s in New York was also the period of Studio 54 and having become fast friends with owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, Freddie became a regular.

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Studio 54 was the spot for the glamorous and fabulous of the fashion and celebrity circuit – where you could spot Iman, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson and Patti Hansen all in one night. Until it was closed down by authorities, Freddie was one of the few members of the party establishment that defined Studio 54.

As his work with Interview Magazine and with top photographers gained exposure and recognition, Freddie began working with leading figures in the fashion world. Among the best were Irving Penn and Horst P. Horst, two of the most highly regarded fashion photographers of the modern era. Freddie’s first job with Penn, who he describes as “the Rembrandt of Photography”, was a L’Oreal shoot in Paris. Years later Freddie met Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at Penn’s Retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. As Freddie noted in a 2002 interview with CNN, Mrs. Kennedy was "…the most stylish first lady ever … [and] … a big fashion icon. She charmed Americans and Europeans alike. And even today, designers are still inspired by her!"

THE ANNA WINTOUR STAMP OF APPROVAL A defining moment in Freddie’s career came in the late 1970s when Anna Wintour of New York Magazine did a story on the top stylists in America, naming Freddie as one of the top 5. In the early 1980s he was recruited to be Creative Director of Harper’s Bazaar (of the Hearst Group) and later recruited by Anna Wintour to come to Conde Nast. He eventually left Hearst in the early 1990s to become Fashion Director at one of Conde Nast’s biggest publications, Allure magazine. Freddie left that position in the mid 1990s having decided to return to freelance work.

In the mid 1990’s, Freddie re-connected with his old Studio 54 pals Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, who were then recently released from prison on tax evasion charges and ready to enter the “luxury, glamorous hotel market.” The first of their hotels was the Morgan Hotel, designed by the world-renowned Andrew Coutman. Freddie was retained to design the look of the staff and the word uniform is not nearly sufficient to describe the final product – sleek cuts of cashmere and silk, befitting the ultimate in luxury. In fact, Freddie’s designs were so stylish that they proved a tad impractical for regular wear and the rigors of active hotel workers.

With a quick redesign, Freddie’s ‘uniforms’ were a hit and his relationship with the expanding hotel group blossomed. Since then he has designed the uniforms for all the Ian Schrager hotels, including the Morgan, Hudson and Royalton in New York, 46

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the Delano and Shore Club in Miami, the Mondrian in Las Vegas, the Cliff in San Francisco and St. Martins Lane and Sanderson in London. Most recently, Calvin Klein commissioned Freddie to design the uniforms for the staff at Klein’s luxury condo residence in New York.

In the late 1990s Freddie began to work with InStyle Magazine. Among other things, Freddie styles all of the covers that draw in millions of readers wanting to see their favorite celebrity and get “the look.”

Freddie also works with Vanity Fair in Europe and a few other select publications around the globe. He worked with Tom Ford of Gucci for his perfume launch, consults with designers for their collections and shows, including Bill Blass and Catherine Mollengrino and freelances on a wide range of projects, including the design for the Sony concept stores.

Freddie remarks that the fashion industry has changed tremendously over his career. The influence of the photographer as being the all-important factor appears to have been diminished. At the start of his career when he began working with Albert Watson, the role of the stylist was non-existent and now the stylist has become somewhat of an appendage of the photographer.

Stylists are in some instances ‘stars’ themselves. Freddie sees this shift as a positive, as it has both pushed wages up and caused the fashion industry to take stylists more seriously. But on the other hand, the entire viewpoint of fashion has changed in Freddie’s opinion. Today’s pop culture suggests that where in the past models were vehicles to showcase clothing, today it’s almost as though the clothes are accessories to the celebrity or personality being photographed. So how do you succeed in this environment? In Freddie’s own words “The key to making it in fashion in today’s world is not to focus on being a star. Be passionate about producing good work because you are only as good as your last shoot.”

Freddie Lieba’s is that story of which we should all be proud – proud in terms of absolute success; he is at the top of his game and recognized as such in a global sense. But the pride to which I refer, should especially resonate as Caribbean people to see where his talent, conviction and perseverance have taken him. This is not a tale of success “in spite of” (obstacles) this is a tale of success “because of” – that is because of talent, belief, perseverance and as Freddie himself says – the right choices and being in the right place.

Whatever the field, the walk of life, or the ambition, there is a lesson in here for us all.

THE LIBERATION OF MYA How the R&B singer and performer found her soul WORDS BY CYBELE SANDY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLIN WILLIAMS

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he crux of any celebrity encounter is the entrance.

After all, if you were a celebrity, wouldn’t you want to immediately command a presence to let everyone know who the star is?

Not every celebrity however has the need to be showy and although few and far between, there are those exceptions who opt for more subtle arrivals.

When the R&B singer and performer Mya made her entrance at the Night Hotel in New York City on a Saturday in early November her demeanor was anything but showy. As she worked the room, there was a sense of ease with the way in which she exchanged pleasantries. There was no huge entourage, just Madame Mya, her manager and some really big guy- her bodyguard.

Just like an Upper East Side debutante, Mya was impeccably dressed in skinny black pants, a tailored black pea coat with a chocolate Yves St. Laurent Muse slung over her shoulder.

Interviewing her from the luxe midtown suite, it became evident that Mya’s tenure in the spotlight had only imposed a maturity and calm that is way beyond her years.

At just 28, the multi-talented performer can now say that she is comfortable with herself and has learned the value of just being Mya Marie Harrison.

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HER PAST Born in Washington D.C., Mya was first placed in the public eye as a dancer in the Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she trained under the legendary Savion Glover. Realizing that her talents spanned beyond the dance floor, her father, a professional musician, decided to shop around for a record deal for his then 16-year-old daughter.

By 1998, Mya released her self-titled debut album on Interscope Records and boasted Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, Wyclef Jean and Babyface as collaborators. The album became one of the top selling albums of 1998.

Arguably Mya’s breakout moment was staged alongside Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim and Pink, in their remake of the 1974 Labelle hit Lady Marmalade for the movie Moulin Rouge. Although the song won a Grammy, it was her sultry 2001 MTV Movie Award performance that established Mya as a sex symbol and musical powerhouse. In the Caribbean, Mya did not need a Grammy to get our attention.

In 2000, her collaboration with Beenie Man on the remix for

Girl’s Dem Sugar gave her props in dancehalls and clubs throughout the region. That initial association with the Caribbean prompted a relationship that still exists today, as she visits the islands as often as her hectic schedule allows.

Not one to set limits, in 2002 Mya was cast in a supporting role in the film version of the Broadway musical Chicago.

Wearing so many hats one is left to wonder about Mya - is she a dancer, singer or actress? Mya does not like labels. “I just prefer to keep working and honing my craft, trying to be the best at whatever it is I’m doing at the time.”

HER PRESENT For Mya, working does not only include making hit records and starring in blockbuster movies; philanthropy is just as important.

She is modest about her efforts, despite the fact that her Maryland-based Mya Arts and Tech Foundation, in conjunction with the Howard Rhodes Academy, allows at-risk innercity youth to receive an education in the arts.

“People are busy building their brand, selling their product. www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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I just prefer to keep working and honing my craft, trying to be the best at whatever it is I’m doing at the time.

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For some people that philanthropic sense may happen later in time, so if you’re doing it, it [the time] has to be right,” the young artist said.

While the main focus of the foundation is on the creative, there is a technical aspect which concentrates on entrepreneurship.

Mya believes that parents are too focused on the notion of traditional employment, which can ultimately stymie economic growth; her aim is to release people from this way of thinking.

HER FUTURE In 2007 the performer will show the world her own revised perspective on life in a new album entitled Liberation.

“The meaning of liberation is to be set free and for a long time I felt like a prisoner; now that dark cloud has disappeared,” she laments.

“I am comfortable with my own opinions and in pleasing myself. I’ve freed myself of the bad stuff, or, the good stuff that is so bad for you! I’ve gained the self-control to be free in other parts of my life, so anger doesn’t grow so much that I have to burn someone’s house down or slash their tires.”

One of her favorite tracks on the album is called Life is Too Short, a song about mending relationships. After recording the song Mya said that she was inspired to put past mistakes behind her and so she made a call to an ex.

Also, on the early 2007 radar will be collaborations with dancehall artist Baby Cham and rapper, Lil’ Wayne. And let’s not forget the Hollywood bit - Mya will appear in Cover, a film directed by Bill Duke the director behind A Rage in Harlem and Sister Act II. But for now she is focused on continuing the new year with mostly high points, similar to how she ended 2006 - with a Christmas trip to Africa.

The main focus of the trip was for her to perform and mentor kids, while sharing a preliminary sense of the liberation she now feels. www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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CANCER PREVENTION AND YOUR DIET

A few simple lifestyle changes can make a tremendous difference to your health WORDS BY NEKISHA JACKSON

ollowing on the tremendous response to our last piece highlighting HPV and cervical cancer, which we hope encouraged all of our readers to get tested and or get information, we at OSM continue to delve into the topic of cancer.

Recent research indicates that in 2002 there were 10.9 million new cases of cancer worldwide, 6.7 million deaths and 24.6 million people who had been diagnosed with cancer in the previous 5 years.

These alarming statistics also show that this is a global problem that cuts across racial and socio-economic lines, and unfortunately is one that many of us still know so very little about.

In an attempt to get to grips with this issue, we are going to explore a little of just what cancer is, and more importantly what changes we can make to our lives, specifically our diets, with a view to cancer prevention.

So, first of all, what exactly is cancer? The first basic fact of cancer is that it isn’t just one disease, but rather it is hundreds of different diseases, each with a different modus operandi, which makes each very difficult to understand, predict and treat. Secondly, it is important to realize that cancer is not some alien entity that invades your body out of the blue, and then suddenly you have cancer.

In actuality, every single one of us has had cancer cells in our bodies at one time or another. However, in most cases our bodies isolate the cancer cells and, realizing that they are for-

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eign, our immune system kills them right away, which is why strengthening your immune system is so critical – something we will cover later. Sometimes, however, this is not the case, and the cancerous cells have a sort of genetic code that shuts down or tricks your immune mechanisms, and as such the cancer cells continue to grow and divide, forming new abnormal cells.

Cancer cells often travel to different parts of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal healthy tissue. Because cancer cells thrive in areas with lots of blood, they often slip through their newly created blood vessels and spread to other parts of the body – very often the liver, lungs or brain. This process, called metastasis, occurs as the cancer cells get into the bloodstream or lymph vessels of our body. From this point, as the cancer cells surround regular tissue, they cluster together and can form tumors.

Not all tumors are cancerous, however. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors do not spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) and, with very rare exceptions, are not life threatening, which is good news. What is also good news, and another fact to note, is that cancer is not automatically a death sentence and that there are NO cancers that have a 100% mortality rate.

The keys to unlocking the puzzle of cancer and escaping the noose lies in detection and prevention, and some of the clearest evidence that exists pertaining to preventing cancer lies in the area of nutrients and diet. www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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every single one of us has had cancer cells in our bodies at one time or another.

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THE CONTRABAND First and foremost, we’ll start with the bad stuff, the stuff that we need to cut out from our diets starting today.

CARCINOGENS High on the list of offenders is that yummy charred barbecue that we in the Caribbean love so much – myself included. But it has to go. In fact, not only barbecuing, but also frying, broiling or grilling meats at high temperatures is a no-no because this creates chemicals linked to increasing cancer risk. Also to be avoided on this list is burnt toast or any heat blackened foods. Alternate cooking techniques such as braising, steaming, poaching, and stewing meats produce fewer of the chemicals.

Another culprit on this list is processed and smoked meats, which studies have linked to an increase in the risk of bowel cancer, as well as colon, rectum and prostate cancer. The problem with processed meats lies in the nitrates, which are added to luncheon meats, hams, bacon and hot dogs to extend shelf life, since they convert in the stomach to carcinogenic nitrosamines. A high intake of processed meats is believed to increase the risk of stomach cancer. As such, elimination or reduction of consumption of foods containing nitrates is highly recommended.

ALCOHOL Yes indeed, this one’s a biggie, especially in a society like ours where ‘Happy Hour’ is a way of life. But the fact is that alcohol has been linked to increases in the risk for cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, liver, breast, as well as possibly the colon and rectum. In order to minimize the risk posed by alcohol consumption, it is recommended that we limit our intake to no more than 2 drinks for men daily and 1 drink for women daily, however for women at high risk of breast cancer it is recommended that they not drink alcohol altogether. One drink of alcohol, by the way, is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

EXCESS FATS Yet another major offender in the diet wars against cancer is a diet high in fatty foods. The overall problem with such a diet is that diets high in fat tend to be high in calories and can lead to obesity, which in itself is linked with an increased risk for certain types of cancer. Specifically though, certain types of fats, mainly saturated and trans fats, have been linked to increased risk of various cancers, particularly breast, colon, pancreas and kidney cancer. The most effective way to reduce this risk posed by fats, experts recommend, is to limit or eliminate altogether your intake of saturated and trans fats.

It is also important to note that, along with elimination of these foods from your diet, certain lifestyle shifts are also paramount, as studies specifically point to strong links between smoking and lack of exercise and increased risk for various cancers, including breast, throat, larynx, uterus, lung and ovary.

Though it may seem that the topic of cancer and diet is all about avoidance of delicious food, let me assure you that that is only a small piece of the puzzle. In fact, what is even more significant is the research on the positive impact of diet and key nutrients on our immune systems and their subsequent role in preventing and fighting cancer. These nutrients and vitamins, outlined below, are regarded as wonder-foods and can protect DNA from damage. As such they are widely regarded as a critical part of the ultimate cancer-preventing regime.

THE GOOD STUFF TOMATO PRODUCTS Possibly at the top of the wonder-food heap, foods containing tomatoes or tomato paste have been shown to decrease cancer risks dramatically; specifically, the risk of developing prostate cancer is one third lower among men who frequently consume foods containing tomato products, and similarly in women with equivalent consumption patterns, the risk of developing breast cancer is 30 to 50 percent lower. And the best part of these results is that the benefits are much the same in both raw and cooked tomato food products. In fact, studies have shown that even ten or more tablespoons per week of tomato or spaghetti sauce can also decrease your risk of developing certain cancers. Great news for all of you pasta lovers out there.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Another critical element in your diet is the inclusion of these elements. Overall, it is strongly suggested that you eat about five or more servings per day of an assortment of colorful fruits and vegetables as greater consumption of these has been linked to lowered risk of lung, oral, oesophageal, stomach and colon cancer.

CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES These yummy vegetables, which include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, appear to contain a chemical, which has been very effective in preventing cancer. Though doctors are unsure whether they are effective by attacking the cancer directly or by preventing cancer cells from obtaining nutrients, it is certain that eating seven or more handfuls of these weekly can prevent the growth of cancer by 50 percent.

BERRIES When it comes to antioxidants, blueberries are king, but other berries such as cranberries, strawberries and raspberries are www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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also full of antioxidants and come highly recommended. I know, I know, it’s the Caribbean. But if these berries aren’t readily available fresh, look for them frozen and just think smoothies!

Similarly with vegetables, though fresh may be nutritionally ideal, frozen is just as good, perhaps even better as frozen vegetables are often picked ripe and quickly frozen, whereas fresh foods sometimes lose some of their nutrients in the time between harvesting and consumption. Whether frozen or fresh, the most important thing is the nutrients these foods bring to our diets, however, and the nutritional content is best preserved through steaming.

DAIRY PRODUCTS Although much maligned by fashionable diet gurus in recent years, it would appear as though dairy products do indeed have health benefits – just as our mothers repeatedly told us.

Researchers have found that a high intake of calcium-rich dairy foods, especially milk, can reduce the risk of colon cancer. In fact, men who drank at least one and a half glasses of milk per day had a 33 percent lower risk than those who drank less than two glasses per week. Further, those who consumed seven servings a day or more of any dairy food had a 54 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer than men getting less than two servings per day.

VITAMIN D Various studies have shown that Vitamin D does decrease the risk of cancer, including cancers of the colon, prostate and breast, and it is recommended that you get 400 IU of Vitamin D daily if you are 60 or younger and 600 IU if you are over 60.

There are many ways of meeting your Vitamin D quota, the most effective being through supplements, or by drinking four glasses of non-fat milk or fortified orange juice a day.

FOLATE Folate, or folic acid, is part of the vitamin B complex of vitamins, and is found in many vegetables, beans, fruit, whole grains and fortified cereals. Most people, however, still don’t get the recommended daily amount of folate in their diets, and too little of this vitamin in your diet has been found to increase the risk of cancers of the colon, rectum, and breast, especially

in people who drink alcoholic beverages.

SELENIUM This is a very important mineral in the cancer prevention diet, and contributes to the body’s antioxidant defence mechanisms. Selenium is largely the product of foods, like garlic and Brazil nuts, which absorb selenium from the soil, but may also be found in cod, herring, mackerel and sardines. Research has shown a 50 percent reduction in cancer deaths among individuals who took 100 micrograms of selenium twice a day, while other studies have shown a reduction in the risk of lung, colon and prostate cancer.

MAGNESIUM Researchers have recently discovered that a magnesium-rich diet can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Doctors recommend an intake of 400 milligrams of magnesium per day, ideally through food and not supplements. The best food sources for magnesium include artichokes, avocados, bran cereal, cashews, dark chocolate, lentils, spinach, and wheat germ.

WATER Rounding out all of the scientific diet recommendations is that wonder drug called water. Even though there already exist a myriad of reasons to drink water, now you can add cancer prevention to the list. Doctors recommend drinking water, as well as other liquids, in order to reduce the risk of bladder cancer, as water serves to dilute the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with the bladder lining. It is advised that you drink at least 8 cups of liquid per day, though some studies suggest that even more would be beneficial.

Now that we have finished covering the main ways in which amending your diet can reduce your cancer risks, it is time to go out and put into practice these important guidelines which will enable our immune systems to do the job of fighting off diseases.

And the best thing of all is that none of the recommendations put forward by medical experts are beyond the reach of any one of us, they are simply lifestyle and diet changes that, though they may take some getting used to, may in the end be the key to health and long life. www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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THE WORD ON...

HAPPY HOURS AT SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS WORDS BY MARY DEN

Reminiscing on a memorable family reunion at Scotch on the Rocks villa in Ocho Rios. he last family gathering we had, happened over 10 years ago and we’ve been talking about it ever since. For a family like ours, scattered all over the globe, a reunion is not an easy logistic or financial undertaking. But after a year of emails back and forth, we finally managed to organize another one.

We rented a villa in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, called “Scotch on the Rocks,” overlooking the water and painted the turquoise color of the sea. The villa has four and a half bedrooms and sleeps a maximum of nine people. Since we all were not lucky enough to stay at the villa, some of us booked into nearby hotels, namely Jamaican Inn and Royal Plantation, and still other family members drove over from Kingston to spend the day.

As we entered the villa, the cool, quiet karma of the house greeted us. We were then met by a staff of four: Elvis, Brian, Cherry, and Pauline, whose friendly, smiling faces immediately made us feel at home. The men carried our bags upstairs and settled us into our rooms. Cherry and Pauline asked how our journey was, bringing us glasses of cold lemonade and ushering us onto the expansive, wooden deck off the living room.

Overlooking the sea, it felt like being on the bow of a grand ship, and we felt like we were all “king of the world.”

Later in the evening, weary from our travels, we reclined in the deck’s Adirondack chairs, watched the setting sun and sipped red wine. Before we were lulled to sleep by the lapping sounds of the waves below and the distant strum of a syncopated reggae beat, Elvis announced dinner was served. We greedily devoured the Pumpkin Soup, Garlic Bread, and Crab Backs placed for us on the immaculately set dining table. Our stomachs and hearts full, we all retired to our beds and got cozy under the soft, fine linen sheets while the air-conditioning kept us cool.

Over the following days the Scotch on the Rocks staff made us feel like a part of their family and the villa became our home away from home. In fact, it was better than a regular home, because it was one free of the hassles of everyday life. Cherry and Elvis provided us with scrumptious meals, Pauline kept every room spotless and Brian, our dishy Rasta waiter, stirred up frosty cocktails at our whim.

Each day, the villa filled with laughter and chatter of our family. We took turns kayaking out in groups of two and three to the nearby white river or down the coast. Others stayed around the pool and the top deck while some placed their towels on the seats of the gazebo and dove into the crystal clear, warm water of the private cove and frolicked like porpoises in the calm bay.

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In the evenings relatives of every age, shape and hue gathered around Scotchie’s large, pink-stone, round table. There were so many memorable meals, true feasts in fact, but one in particular stands out: seared tuna steaks freshly caught that day by local fisherman Morris, filet steak on the grill served with rice and Gungo Peas, fried plantain, green salad with papaya and toasted almonds and Elvis’ house dressing and to top it off, a pina-colada cheese cake and coconut mouse.

Satiated, sun-kissed and unable to move we sat on the veranda and shared memories and even uncovered some family secrets.

One night, someone plugged in their iPod and as the music filtered through hidden speakers we danced in the moonlight.

On another night we belted out old hits Karaoke style, with the help of a little libation – a bottle of Scotch that a cousin bought in bond on his way from Cayman.

After each day had long ended, and the night crept to dawn, we retired to our beds, lost in a private word of a peaceful silence. As we slept we dreamt of all the love shared between us, despite our age-differences and the distance that separated us.

When it was all suddenly over and we started getting into the cars to leave, groups of twos and threes could be seen in the parking lot holding each other for dear life, tears streaming down their faces, mumbling inaudible, “Tek care, don’t cry and don’t mek it be so long again, write, promise…”

Driving away, our days and nights at Scotch on the Rocks filled our minds; the turquoise house and its loving staff, forever holding a special place in our hearts.

In the Evenings relatives of every age, shape and hue gathered around Scotchie’s large, pink-stone, round table.

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SPICE IT UP WORDS + PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROSEMARY PARKINSON

ntering Mango Villa, one of the many villas that comprise the Maca Bana enclave, the vista blew my mind.

Overlooking Magazine Bay, with St. George’s and the mountains behind, the balcony on which I stood offered more than just a view. In the few days during my stay in Grenada, almost nightly I would find myself basking in the warm waters of a well-appointed hot-tub, with the stars in the sky as my only companions. But at this particular moment I had no time to waste. Having unpacked and settled in my villa, I was now off towards St. George’s, my purpose being to write about Grenadian food.

Sendal Tunnel, where cars vie precariously for space with pedestrians, soon opened out onto the coastline. As fishermen brought in their seine nets brimming with all manner of bounty from the sea, I turned inland towards the countryside and the de La Grenade Industries. Here I sampled, sipped and tasted Cecile La Grenade’s delicious liqueur made from the outer carp of the nutmeg - a carp usually discarded once the nut is removed. It was La Grenade’s ancestors who many years before had found a better use for this fleshly pod. Delighted by the thought of this, I left the building laden with bottles of the La Grenade’s family elixir accompanied by their nutmeg jams, jellies and syrup. What a fine start to my quest!

HEARTY & SPICY From there it was back to St. George’s for lunch where the ladies at ‘Wall Street’ served up a tasty pork stew. Accompanying this stew was a thick dark brown gravy which made ‘mass’ of the delicious peas and rice with slices of sweet potato, yam and fried plantains on the side. Placing a mound of de La Grenade Pepper Jelly on my plate, I ate heartily, washing everything down with a glass of freshly squeezed cane juice.

That evening the Flamboyant Restaurant beckoned, where scrumptious spicy crab backs for my starter, followed by an entrée of shrimp in a shredded coconut batter, deep fried to perfection, awaited. Crab backs in Grenada are made from land crabs caught on rainy nights with the flesh removed and

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Our food critic travels to Grenada where she discovers that everything is nice with a little sugar and spice. seasoned with finely chopped scallion, garlic, onion, parsley, thyme, celery and scotch bonnet. Breadcrumbs are added and the mixture is topped off with salt, pepper, a pinch of tomato paste and a dash of soy sauce. The squeaky clean backs of the crab are filled with the mixture before being placed on a grill.

Friday morning breakfast in St. George’s market consisted of black pudding - an island treat, although it may not sound like one. Boiled pig’s blood, seasoned bread for binding, finely chopped scallion, garlic, onion, parsley and scotch bonnet peppers made an exotic sausage that could be fit for a king.

Placed between a warm bun, I ate the meal and followed it up with a lovely cup of cocoa-tea. Talk about divine intervention!

NUTMEG, CHOCOLATE AND RUM The north coast brought the Dougaldston Estate with its remnants of a working plantation-old drying sheds for both nutmeg and cocoa, antique machinery and workers expounding information on a bevy of Grenadian spices. Grenada’s nutmeg industry, contrary to predictions, is recuperating well in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. The nutmeg processing plant near Victoria was a hive of activity when I arrived. Women gathered, cleaned, washed, dried and sorted, while the men bagged the best nuts for export. First brought to Grenada in 1843, locals say the nutmeg’s love of the sea has helped to make Grenada’s nutmeg industry the second largest in the world.

My next stop was the Grenada Chocolate Factory. Organic cocoa grown on the island produces the most divine chocolate containing up to 71 percent cocoa butter. Before leaving the factory, I took several chocolate bars for nibbling while driving on the winding roads of the eastern coastline. Reaching the River Antoine Rum Distillery (home of rum so potent it is not permitted on planes), I watched the rum-making process - an old water mill crushing the canes, extracting the juice, boiling same before passing into huge vats for the fermentation development. Below in a room that reeks of time, workers bottle the firewater or Jack Iron, as it is also known. One sip of this was enough to nearly knock my head off.

CALLALOO AND PEPPERPOT Heading south, lunch was at the Ebony Restaurant in the market town of Grenville. Owner Jacqueline Rennie ensured large servings of the special of the day - deliciously stewed chicken, sweet potato, yam, fried ripe plantains, and callaloo. Leaf rolled, stalk peeled and chopped, the callaloo was placed into a pot with cleaned land crab, a piece of salt pork, sliced okras and was topped with coconut milk, scallion, garlic, onions and seasonings including scotch bonnet. The concoction was then brought to a boil then blended with a swizzle stick for a perfect soup-like consistency.

Marquis Island in the south was my next conquest, where Rosalind Noel makes hats with an old relic of a sewing machine on the gallery of her tiny wooden house next to the beach. Passing bays with names such as Menere, Crochu, La Tante, Requin and La Sagesse, I learned that Grenada’s historic battles www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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THE WORD ON...

THE WORD ON...

That evening, I journeyed to the delightful True Blue Bay Resort, where I dined on a magnificent array of local dishes taken-up-a-notch. I ended the meal with a sublime and savoury nutmeg cheesecake.

TIME TO LEAVE A Sunday in Grenada is like a Sunday anywhere in the Caribbean. Locals and visitors gather at the beach, but in Grenada it is the Aquarium Beach Club and Restaurant which is the hot spot. The beach is crowded with children frolicking in the sand and sea; yachts are moored with families spilling out over the sides. Fresh breadfruit salads, sweet potato accompanied by beets, tomatoes, christophene and green bananas make wonderful accompaniments for thick beef and fish steaks which sizzle on Grenadian Chef Randy’s beach grill. Spicy Bloody Mary’s give the boost required for a sway around the dance floor before a refreshing swim and lunch.

Early Monday morning before my departure, I chuckled my way through a private cooking lesMaca Bana Villas son with Chef Randy. My task was Telephone 473.439.5355 to churn out a perfect tuna steak 473.535.1900 with the middle rare and the outwww.macabana.com side pan-seared to perfection.

This great idea of teaching visitors Grenada Tourist Board Telephone 473.440.2279 about island cuisine gave me the opportunity to learn even more about all the various tastes experienced on this magnificent spice island of the Caribbean or “God’s own country,” as the locals like to call it.

between the French and English included the first settlers – the Amerindian Carib tribe - who fought to their deaths, rather than succumb to the invaders.

The Grenadian pepperpot, made from cassareep, is one of the settlers’ many gifts to the island. Pepperpot, with any meat besides lamb, laced with cassareep and hot peppers, is boiled daily and eaten with white rice. Secret Harbour Restaurant in the countryside is said to have a 100-year-old pepperpot, which I have tasted and it is indeed an appealing dish.

FISH AND MORE FISH That night I took off for Gouyave Village for their weekly fish fry. I walked the streets, stopping off at the individual tents while sipping on Westerhall Rum, before sitting to nibble on some crisp, freshly-caught fried fish. Carnival was in the air and the music was sweet. Like other islanders, Grenadians love to dance and ‘wukk-up’ and this is exactly what I did until the early hours of the morning.

On Saturday St. George’s market was awash with colorful wear and patois sounds once again. This time fish tea with green banana, pumpkin, and soft dumplings neatly bobbing in the pot, invited me in. I was told to check out Ali’s Every-Little-Ting shop in the cruise terminal and I realized that one cannot leave the island without several bottles of Ali’s home-made spiced rums which boast aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaf and vanilla beans. Ali has rums for every occasion, including one made with the famous rain forest tree-bark called Bois Bande, an aphrodisiac.

Lunch overlooking the Careenage - the old schooners moored up against the jetty reminded me of Barbados back when the Bridgetown Wharf was used to unload fruits and vegetables from other islands. In Grenada, the famous oil-dong is made of the latter lot. Coconut milk, turmeric, chicken wings, saltfish, pigs’ tails, green banana, ‘chadow-bennie’ (wild coriander,) fresh basil and hot peppers accompany coconut milk and oil, which is boiled down to one heavy mass of great-tasting nosh.

This dish is then served up in calabash bowls.

GRENADIAN PEPPERPOT 6 lbs. meat (use 1lb. each of various cuts including oxtail, pork and chicken – no fish, no lamb) 3” stick of cinnamon 12 cloves 4 bay leaves 2 red hot peppers (whole) 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon powdered onion 1 tablespoon powdered garlic 1 teaspoon each of oregano, thyme, coriander, salt + pepper 4 cups water 10 ounces cassareep In a large pot, place the meat and add the cassareep. Leave un-refrigerated overnight to marinate. The next day add all other ingredients including water and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 4 hours.

Taste for salt and add any other seasonings to taste. Serve with white rice and ripe fried plantains.

GOUYAVE FRIED FISH 1 whole snapper, scaled and cleaned.

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One sprig scallion (finely chopped) 1 clove garlic (finely chopped) 1 sprig parsley (finely chopped) 1 sprig thyme (finely chopped) Quarter teaspoon Scotch Bonnet (finely chopped) Limes Seasoned flour (fish seasoning or plain salt + pepper will do.)

Wash snapper in lime and water (use one lime per fish) and a little salt. Season the inside of the fish with the scallion, garlic, parsley, pepper and thyme, adding a little salt and pepper to the mixture.

Place flour on a cutting board and spread it out. Place fish onto flour, patting flour on fish on both sides.

Heat vegetable or coconut oil in a skillet until hot and then place fish into hot oil and fry until crispy on both sides. Remove from oil and place on paper towel to drain. Serve piping hot.

A salsa can be made as a side dish by finely chopping 1 onion, 1 clove garlic, 1 sprig scallion, 1 sprig of fresh cilantro, quarter of a teaspoon of finely chopped scotch bonnet or seasoning pepper, 1 sprig parsley and 1 large tomato.

Add the juice of half of one lime, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a drizzle of sugar, salt and pepper to taste.

THE WORD ON...

DRINKS CAUSING A STIR A look at new drinks on the scene that are causing controversy in the marketplace WORDS BY KINISHA O’NEILL

ARMAND de BRIGNAC With a bottle that screams affluence it is no shocker that hip- hop mogul, Jay- Z, flaunts the ultra-exclusive Armand de Brignac champagne in his latest video, “Show Me What You Got.” After publicly dissing Cristal champagne earlier this year, Jigga’s endorsement of Armand de Brignac created a world-wind of rumours questioning whether he had used his video to inaugurate the drink into his colossal portfolio.

Scott Cohen, Vice President of Operations at Sovereign Brands, the parent company for Armand de Brignac, tells OSM, “The inclusion of Armand de Brignac in Jay-Z’s video was not a paid product placement, and our company had no knowledge of the shot in the video until we saw it on TV.” According to Cohen, Armand de Brignac has been on the market for a few years, but is made with the type of craft that only allows for a limited number to be available worldwide. “There will never be a large volume of Armand in any market; it is designed for discriminating consumers who appreciate the time and care put into each handmade bottle,” says Cohen.

Though the champagne has yet to grace the shores of the Caribbean, the air of elitism shrouding this new bubbly may just be enough of a bait to reel in the flamboyance not uncommon to the region. Caribbean palate won’t entirely be bought over by foreign fancy. For the most part, we’re a picky set, underpinned by conservative principles – even when it comes to beverages.

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KINGSTON 62 “Brand Jamaica” is extending itself beyond the catwalks and recording studios, with the latest addition, a pilsner type beer named Kingston 62. Brewed

by Lascelles Wines and Sprits, fashionable drinking just got a whole new twist.

With a logo stylish enough to be stitched across a trendy fitted t-shirt, Marketing Manager Lisa Bell tells OSM, “the beer is set to hone in on a chic demographic that yearns to have the option to pick, choose and refuse in all spheres of life – including drinks.”

Brand development, it appears, has been an exercise of attention to detail.

Consider this – there’s already a buzz about the brew in Kingston despite the fact that the company has not spent a dime on advertising. Bell refers to the brand as “underground” and says that ‘62’ isn’t just an arbitrary number- it pays homage to the year of Jamaica’s independence.

Bell explains that market research has proven that the 20 – 30-year-old demographic will be the ones gravitating towards the drink.

This set, company executives believe, will be far more patriotic and nationalistic than other generations. Sounds like cool calculation and creative swagger.

COCAINE A drink named after a drug? Cocaine, the energy drink, not the white stuff, recently infiltrated the U.S. market, bruising the ideals of many conservatives.

Though it’s been getting a fight in some major states, including the more liberal New York, the drink is quickly becoming a fixture on store shelves.

John Burnett of Redux Beverages, a.k.a. ‘the dealers’ tells OSM, “Cocaine has had to ramp up its production to meet U.S. demand,” and the product will be launched internationally in 2007.

Connections for Caribbean distribution are already in the works- specifically for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Maybe Cocaine will encounter a tiring Caribbean-style scuffle when it makes its debut, maybe not. Maybe what Burnett describes as Cocaine’s “red hot fireball” flavour, and the fact that the drink has three and a half times the strength of a Red Bull (and less calories,) will override it’s bombshell name.

Unlike its namesake counterpart, Cocaine the drink is being marketed as something good for you. As Burnett explains to OSM, “We use no high fructose corn syrup. We use dextrose which is the sugar the body produces naturally to provide energy. We also use a high level of caffeine, but our unique formula provides no jittery caffeine feeling or no crash from sugar.”

So, maybe the Caribbean won’t be strung out, but there’s the possibility we may get hooked. Either way, we should look out for the missile to be fired sometime this year.

BEST SPAS IN JAMAICA

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Ready, Set, Relax….head to the West Coast for some of the best Spa experiences on the island

WORDS BY CAROLINE COUSINS

ontego Bay and Negril, on the Western end of Jamaica, have long been revered for their luxurious resorts and laid back vibe.

It’s no wonder then that some of the best spas in the island can be found in these two resort areas. In no particular order, Caroline Cousins, introduces you to five of her favorites.

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The Ritz-Carlton Spa Montego Bay, Jamaica The Ritz-Carlton Spa brings together Jamaica’s natural resources, well-trained local therapists and the latest spa equipment and techniques to create one of the most unique and luxurious spa experiences not just in Jamaica, but in the Caribbean. Boasting 8,000 square feet and eleven treatment rooms, the Ritz-Carlton Spa offers a full range of treatments that promise to bring any body back into balance.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa puts a new twist on the usual selection

of spa offerings such as massages, reflexology, mineralizing and detoxifying body wraps, hydrotherapies, exfoliation therapies, facials, and hair and nail treatments by using natural products found in Jamaica. The Spa’s creative treatments incorporate the best of the island’s fruits, herbs and plants, such as star-apples, pimento, sugar-cane and much more.

Instead of a usual massage, try Ritz-Carlton’s unique Bamboo Massage, which makes use of the contoured lengths of a bamboo stalk in a rolling and kneading technique to work on larger muscle groups. A luscious drink of coconut water served in a bamboo glass ends the treatment on a refreshing and fitting note.

There is also the exhilaration of the Seashell Massage, which uses seashells as a tool to create the sensation of waves on the body, in the style of the Hawaian technique Lomi-Lomi. Especially for couples is the Matrimony Fruit Bath, which is a potion of star apples, mangoes, orange blossom, milk, honey and 66

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yam, designed to seal in moisture and leave the skin silky and radiant.

Spa Director Stephen Phillips says that guests depart not only with the feeling of having experienced something wonderful, but their experience is even more special because it is one that is unique to Jamaica and The Ritz Carlton, Montego Bay. “What’s more,” he says, “there is nothing more beautiful than being pampered by a Jamaican who cares about you.”

Bodywork Spa at Half Moon Resort Montego Bay, Jamaica At the Bodywork Spa at Half Moon, highly trained aestheticians offer a collection of modern services that combine traditional European treatments with old-world, Jamaican and Indian techniques and ingredients.

The Spa’s aestheticians are committed to helping you choose a treatment that is best for you. You may choose to have an Aloe Vera Smoothing Facial or a Lavender Oil and Aloe Wrap, which soothes sensitive skin, or share a bit of heaven with your loved one in the Heaven for Two Spa Experience, offered in a private, candlelit retreat.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Half Moon is currently in the process of building an expansive new spa facility and spa suites, set to open in early 2007. Housed in the resort’s signature villa, Fern Tree House, the new 68,000 square foot sanctuary will have something special for everyone. The main treatment rooms are set amidst lush gardens, allowing guests the option of having their room enclosed or open to their own private garden terrace. Couples will be able to reserve the plantation-styled couples massage room, bedecked with wooden millwork, pitched ceilings and a private patio with a dipping pool. Families, wedding parties and groups will be able to enjoy the spa cottage. The Fern Tree Spa complex will also house a relaxation lounge, yoga pavilion, hydrotherapy swimming pool, sculpture garden and several water features.

Richard Whitfield, Half Moon’s managing director sums it all up by saying, “When finished the Fern Tree Spa will be one of Jamaica’s best spas.”

The Red Lane Spa Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa Negril, Jamaica Get ready for a journey beyond the ordinary when you make an appointment at the Red Lane Spa at Sandals Negril. The journey begins from the moment you step through the doors into the reception room, where the soothing scent of lemon grass and the melodic sound of flute music greet you, followed quickly by the warm and welcoming smiles of the therapists.

Further inside this tranquil oasis you’ll find an array of treat-

ment, hydrotherapy, sauna and steam rooms.

Sandals Negril’s Signature treatments make use of the purest natural products available in the Caribbean. There is the ‘Java Jive Scrub,’ which uses natural roasted coffee beans from the famed Jamaican Blue Mountains to increase circulation and reduce the appearance of cellulite. If you really want to be indulgent you can try one of the Spa’s special packages such as Wrapped Up in Romance – a combination of four treatments including the Sweet Ortanique Scrub, followed by a Seaweed Wrap Island Bath complete with champagne and topped off by a Heart Rock Massage.

The Caves Aveda Concept Spa Negril, Jamaica Set on the limestone cliffs of Negril’s scenic West End, the Aveda Concept Spa at The Caves, utilizes its unique surrounding to create a Spa experience like no other. Choose to have your treatment in a shaded open cabana overlooking the vibrant Caribbean Sea, or in the intimate embrace of a candlelit cave with the waves lapping nearby, or outside under the warm sun and in the soothing caress of the sea breeze.

With a focused mission to heal the body and bring it back into a state of balance, the Aveda Concept Spa at The Caves is grounded in Aveda’s renowned mastery of the art and science of pure flower and plant essences. Aromatherapy treatments abound with infusions of sea salt, rose, ylang-ylang, sugar cane, lime juice and ginger. Products are all natural, and are not tested on animals. Treatments are not initiated until therapists arrive at a clear understanding of the guest’s state of mind and relaxation needs. From this analysis a very personalized, sensory aromatherapy journey is composed.

A highly recommended treatment is the Caribbean Therapy, which includes a dry exfoliation using a special glove made of softly woven coconut fiber, and a self-warming seaweed wrap. A favorite of couples is the After Dark – a soothing double massage by candlelight.

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wards a sustainable wellness plan. Spa treat- ESCAPE ments consider nutritional and environmental challenges on a personalized level, and suggest how therapies can bring the body back into balance.

The integration of the Repêchage line of products into the treatment regimen optimizes the experience. Repêchage products are derived from natural seaweed, which has been proven to have beneficial vitamin and mineral compounds for the skin.

The European Seaweed Body Treatment is based on the tradition of European thallasotherapy, excellent for relieving deeply-held stress levels and rejuvenating sore muscle groups.

After smoothing freshly warmed seaweed over the body, a warm thermal blanket is used to put the treatment to work.

A shower brings the experience to a robust and refreshing end.

You will also love the new Reggaesage, which has adapted the rhythm of Jamaican reggae music to glide and rock the body into relaxation, with outstanding results for increased levels of energy.

The invigorating Peppermint Sea Twist, a combination of fresh seaweed and peppermint oil, has the much sought after properties of body contouring and cellulite treatment.

The Oasis Spa offers a full line of treatments including hot stone massages, hydrating facials, anti-aging hand treatments and craniosacral therapy. There are seven treatment rooms located in beautiful, tranquil gardens.

Additionally, there are steam, sauna, hot-tub and hydrotherapy facilities.

Fitness enthusiasts will be impressed with the state-of-the art squash courts, tennis courts, Olympic-sized swimming pool, and an excellent fitness centre.

There is nothing more beautiful than being pampered by a Jamaican who cares about you.

Couples Swept Away Oasis Spa Negril, Jamaica The Oasis Spa at Couples Swept Away is formulated on the concept of total body wellness and fitness. It introduces a lifestyle change to guests, with the hope of guiding them toThe 411: The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Rose Hall St. James Jamaica, West Indies Telephone: 876.953.2800 ext. 5117 www.ritzcarlton.com The Red Lane Spa Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa Negril, Jamaica www.sandals.com

The Body Work Spa Half Moon Montego Bay, Jamaica Telephone: 876.953.2211 www.halfmoon.com

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Oasis Spa Couples Swept Away Norman Manley Boulevard Negril, Jamaica Telephone: 876.957.4061 www.couples.com

The Aveda Concept Spa The Caves Lighthouse Road Negril, Jamaica Telephone: 876.957.0269 www.islandoutpost.com www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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DIVAS IN THE CITY Your guide to a girls’ weekend in two of America’s hottest cities, New York and Miami WORDS BY ELINA FURMAN

adies, it’s time to take a break from your hectic schedule.

Revive, recharge and revitalize yourself on a weekend getaway with just the girls. Whether your tonic of choice is retail therapy or reflexology, gourmet treats or a night out on the town, here’s the latest on where to go and what to do in these two girl friendly hot-spots.

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Mad Over Manhattan Girlfriends and Manhattan go together like Manolo and Blahnik. In a city famous for Sunday brunches, designer sample sales, and celeb-studded lounges, every hour is like ladies’ night.

STAY The Muse Hotel offers not one, but two, girl-friendly packages that target fans of TV shows like Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives. Choose from either the Don’t Be Desperate Package or the Sex and the City Pajama Party Package. With pink-frosted chocolate cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, Jimmy Choo shoe-shopping expeditions, inroom massages, and a lingerie makeover at La Perla as a few of the perks being offered, you’ll find plenty of ways to keep you and your friends busy.

Brought to you by uber-hotelier Ian Schrager, the new Gramercy Park Hotel is your one stop shop for sleeping, lounging and eating. Not only does each suite feature amenities like luxurious fabrics, hand-made imported rugs, and a rich Renaissance-style color palette, the hotel also boasts the toughest velvet rope in town -- the Rose Bar (strictly guests and private members only). Don’t forget to make your reservation at the hotel’s new restaurant Park Chinois, created for Gramercy Park Hotel by Alan Yau, the Michelinstarred restaurateur from London.

The Muse Hotel

SHOP While some say that money can’t buy happiness, in New York it’s definitely worth trying. Gleaming department stores and a variety of posh boutiques provide the ultimate highend experience for those who want to spend like a Trump –

The 411: The Muse Hotel 130 W. 46th Street Telephone: 212.485.2400 Gramercy Park Hotel 2 Lexington Ave Telephone: 212.475.4320 Barney’s 660 E. 61st Street Telephone: 212.826.8900 Bergdorf Goodman 754 5th Ave Telephone: 800.558.1855 Kiki de Montparnasse 79 Greene Street Telephone: 212.965.8150 70

if only for a day. Barney’s and Bergdorf’s may still be the centers of designer couture, but for genuine downtown style look no further than the boutique-lined streets of SoHo. After a few Peach Bellinis at nearby Downtown Cipriani, let your kinky side take over as you shop for sexy lingerie at the newly opened Kiki de Montparnasse.

If your tastes run towards the quirky and offbeat, convince the girls to indulge in one of New York’s most popular pastimes – flea markets. On Saturday and Sunday, stop by the Annex Antique Fair and Flea Market located on 6th Avenue and 24th Street.

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will go ga-ga over the mani/pedis by day and martinis by night.

PLAY New York is known as much for its notorious velvet ropes as it is for its nightlife. To avoid surly bouncers and bypass the clipboard attitude, try the old dinner and drinks route instead.

Just make a reservation at Bette, Ono, Butter for the food, and then overstay your welcome to enjoy the sizzling bar scene. If you happen to be wearing a pair of killer stilettos and want to take your chances at the rope, sidle over to Tenjune, the new hotspot that’s got every celebrity and socialite in town waiting in line.

When it comes to going out for dinner with the girls, the scene is just as important as the food.

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EDGE*nyNOHO

Alternately, especially if the chill in the air has got you down, stay warm at EDGE*nyNOHO, the first boutique to showcase sixty-five fresh up and coming designers and their products all under one roof. You’ll feel as if you’ve just stepped into an episode of Project Runway.

EAT In a city with thousands of restaurants, it’s hard to pick one place to dine. Of course, when it comes to going out for dinner with the girls, the scene is just as important as the food.

That’s why you’ll want to make reservations at hot spots like La Esquina, a sleek underground Mexican taqueria, or gastro pub extraordinaire The Spotted Pig, located on a quaint cobblestone street in the West Village.

And while in New York, why not do as the locals do by joining in the time-honored tradition of brunch? In a city that never sleeps, a late brunch with the girls is a longtime New York tradition. Sushi Samba Seven’s rooftop brunch features standouts like the Bloody Himoko, Sunday Samba roll, and five other dishes for just $15 a head, and is an ideal launch pad for exploring the chic shops nearby.

EDGE*nyNOHO 65 Bleecker Street Telephone: 212.358.0255 La Esquina 106 Kenmare Street Telephone: 646.613.7100 The Spotted Pig 314 W. 11th Street Telephone: 212.620.0393 Downtown Cipriani 376 W. Broadway Telephone: 212.343.0999 Sushi Samba Seven 87 7th Ave Telephone: 212.691.7885

SOBE IT: Beauty and the Beach Whether your friends are wild or mild, South Beach has something for everyone. With new hotels and lounges opening every week, the Miami scene is anything but hum drum.

So if you’re looking to indulge with a spa treatment, sample new restaurants or dance until dawn, Miami is a girl’s place to be.

STAY Those who want to sleep in a bastion of old Miami glamour need to click their heels and repeat three times “There’s no place like The Raleigh Hotel."

Bliss Spa Telephone: 212.219.8970 G Spa and Lounge 18 Ninth Ave Telephone: 212.660.6733 Bette 461 W 23rd Street Telephone: 212.366.0404 Ono 18 9th Ave Telephone: 212.660.6766 Tenjune 409 W 13th Street Telephone: 646.638.1300

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PAMPER With three locations in Manhattan alone, Bliss Spa is the ultimate pajama party -- without the pajamas. It’s the perfect place to unwind after days of hunting for the perfect stiletto.

You and the girls can nibble on brownies while waiting for a double-choc pedicure or signature oxygen facial.

If you’re looking for the latest trend in spas, check out G Spa at the Gansevoort Hotel. With over 4,300 sq. feet of space, the spa includes Hiro Haraguchi Hair Salon, spa meals, and products

by Md Skincare.

A cross between a luxury bath house and a lounge, your girls

The Raleigh Hotel

The Raleigh Hotel

New owner Andre Balazs made sure to preserve the uniqueness of the original rooms by streamlining the look and feel of this one-of-a-kind classic.

The piece de resistance is of course the pool, which is home to one of the best (and hardest to get into) Sunday night www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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ESCAPE parties.

Girlfriends looking for a retreat that’s more zen than deco need to check-in at the new Setai Hotel, a sensual southeast-Asian retreat, where leaving the grounds is unthinkable.

And why would you ever want to? Guests gain exclusive access to the private rooftop sundeck where they can hobnob with a-list members like Heidi Klum and Lenny Kravitz.

And when you’re not busy spotting celebs, you can enjoy the deluxe pool, lounge, spa and private cabanas.

The beach service is one of the best in town with teak loungers and serving trays, delivering Evian spritzers and frozen rolled up towels that will help you stay cool and chic.

SHOP With its tropical clime and wide, boutique-lined boulevards, Miami has a way of turning even the most serious beach combers into mall-trollers. Wear your slinkiest sarong for a stroll down pedestrian-only Lincoln Road.

Then, it’s on to Barney’s Co-Op to try on labels such as Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg and Mint at relatively affordable prices.

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If you’re looking to stand out from the crowd (and in Miami, that’s never easy), get yourself over to the 3000-square foot fashion emporium, Arrive.

With such avant-garde and hard to find designers as Alexander McQueen, Commes des Garcons, Hussein Chalayan and Stella McCartney lining the racks, you’ll have no trouble turning heads.

EAT Once you’ve shopped to your heart’s content and have the bags (and bills) to prove it, rest you feet and whet your appetite at the see-and-be-seen Miss Yip Chinese Café, a modern Shanghai brasserie featuring Cantonese cuisine and push-cart dim sum service. You can’t go wrong with either the Peking duck or perfectly cooked pork buns.

For those of you who want to combine dinner with a night out on the town, stop by Touch.

With beautiful people, stunning décor, dishes like Lobster Blini and even belly dancers, you’ll see why this supper club has become the most hyped eatery in town.

PLAY Glamour is constantly on the move in South Beach, which is famous for its sleek hotel lounges and raucous beach bars that rival any in St. Tropez.

For the ultimate hotel bar that’s always on everyone’s muststop list, head on over to Skybar at the Shore Club hotel.

Start with appetizers at Nobu and then continue the revelry in the lounge area surrounding the pool.

Think you need to head to Ibiza or St. Barths to dance, drink and lounge on the beach? Not if you visit Nikki Beach Club for their Sunday afternoon soiree. With an all white and natural wood decor, killer drinks and the hottest people watching in the city, Nikki’s is terminally trendy but always worthwhile.

PAMPER The Sundari Spa at the Shore Club hotel is not like any other spa experience. It’s not at all uncommon to walk out of your treatment room and bump into an A-list celebrity.

Of course, after a Wild and Zesty aromatherapy massage on one of the outdoor decks, you and your girlfriends will be too relaxed to even notice.

Glamour is constantly on the move in South Beach, which is famous for its sleek hotel lounges and raucous beach bars that rival any in St. Tropez.

Skybar

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The 411: The Raleigh Hotel 1775 Collins Ave Telephone: 305.534.6300 Setai Hotel 2001 Collins Ave Telephone: 305.520.6000 Barney’s 832 Collins Ave Telephone: 305.421.2010 Arrive 100 16th Street Telephone: 305.604.5818 72

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Miss Yip Chinese Cafe 1661 Meridian Ave Telephone: 305.534.5488 Touch Restaurant 910 Lincoln Road Telephone: 305.532.8003 Skybar 1901 Collins Ave Telephone: 305.695.3100 Nikki Beach Club 1 Ocean Drive Telephone: 305.538.1231

The Sundari Spa at the Shore Club 1901 Collins Ave Telephone: 786.276.6772

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TOBAGO, A HIDDEN GEM Find out what people-in-the-know know as we tour one of the Caribbean’s most special islands.

WORDS BY NIKISHA JACKSON

he islands of the Caribbean are often thought to be among the most beautiful places in the world, and tucked into the southernmost nook of the chain is a special jewel, Tobago. Often overshadowed by its bigger sister, Trinidad, Tobago is a small, secluded island. It is this trait that is the key to its allure. You will not find an array of splashy advertisements for Tobago in magazines or on billboards or television. Yet, in spite of that the island continues lure visitors every year, making Tobago an exotic, hidden escape for people in the know.

Chief among Tobago’s charms is that fact that is not a run-ofthe-mill Caribbean island speckled with high-rise hotels or sprawling all-inclusive resorts. Instead, Tobago is home to a unique collection of villas, small hotels, eco-resorts, bed & breakfasts and lodges. That is not to say it does not have all the offerings of a big island resort. Tobago has a great diversity in sights and activities and an ability to provide something that appeals to everyone.

If all you want to do is lounge lazily on a Caribbean beach sipping rum punch, Tobago is more than up to the task. Its leeward coastline is straight out of your typical Caribbean daydream, with seemingly unending stretches of white sandy beaches and gently lapping blue waves aplenty. On the other side of the island, Tobago’s rugged Atlantic coastline offers a different type of sea-view. There you’ll find a place where the mountains meet the sea, creating dramatic and picturesque vistas. You’ll also discover one of a kind swimming spots, well off the beaten track but always worth the trip.

If, by chance, you grow tired of the sun, sea, and sand head to Tobago’s forested interior. Home to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western hemisphere, Tobago has a wealth of natural treasures that will make an avid nature enthusiast of every visitor. Its forest is home to over 210 species of some of the most beautiful birds in the world, 123 species of butterflies, as

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well as bats, lizards, snakes and alligators. If you are not an animal fan, a day’s trek into the forest is still worthwhile. There you’ll discover beautiful flowers and gorgeous waterfalls, which are popular with tourists and locals alike as swimming and picnic spots.

For the historian at heart Tobago is dotted with old forts, sugar mills and waterwheels, which are striking reminders of the island’s colonial past. Often located in lush and scenic surroundings, these ruins will teach you much about the island’s rich and colorful history.

Yet by far the most exciting and visually stunning sights in Tobago will not be found on its sandy beaches or in its tropical rainforests, but rather under the waters surrounding the island.

Teeming with colorful marine-life, Tobago’s waters serve up a rich array for the underwater explorer. From spectacular coral formations to a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, manta rays, jellyfish, turtles, and yes, even the occasional shark, there is a lot to be seen in this underwater paradise. What’s more, Tobago’s waters also have the added bonus of being relatively unexploited. It’s only in recent years that Scuba Diving has become popular in Tobago and as such the island is earning a reputation as the new, hot destination for diving buffs.

Of course no profile of Tobago would be complete without briefly singing the praises of the wonderful people island, who are the glue that holds that little piece of paradise together. Arguably the friendliest and most ebullient people on the face of the earth, from the moment you step foot on the island, Tobagonians welcome you into the fold like family. And, like your favorite aunt or uncle, they want nothing more than to spoil you and see you happy and well fed.

With all that it offers, it’s not hard indeed to see why the people who know the island love it so. One weekend spent on the shores of this undiscovered Caribbean gem is sure to make a believer of even the most weary world traveler.

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Leo July 23 - August 22 Famous Faces: Jennifer Lopez (July 24, 1970), Whitney Houston (Aug. 9, 1963) This holiday season is a time to truly wrap up the past 12 months, oh boy what a year it has been! And take stock of where you stand, particularly as it relates to what you do and whom you love.

Not usually one to take quiet time to reflect, pencil in some ‘you time’ before the year is up. It means no television, cell-phones, and certainly no instant messaging. Your life is about to turn a major corner; be prepared. The first weeks of 2007 will see the unfolding of the new direction your life is to take.

Wait…its going to be a hell of a ride.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 Famous Faces: Brad Pitt (Dec. 18, 1963), Jon Stewart (Nov. 28, 1962) So many parties – so little time. Sagittarius, your social butterfly is in overdrive this month, and it feels GOOD. Office parties, bar hopping, clubbing galore, it seems that no one can get enough of you. And about time too! Keep your antennae up for that cutie that keeps popping up wherever you are – after your whirlwind social calendar it may be time for some at-home romantic unwinding in the New Year.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 Famous Faces: Jada Pinkett-Smith (Sept. 18, 1971) Michael Jackson (Aug. 29, 1958) The answer to your recent search for peace Virgo can literally be found at home. From holiday decorating, to organising your personal space, to getting that gardening project done, the Zen-like process of cleaning your surroundings will translate into a cleansing process for your mind. As silly as it may seem on the surface, your subconscious has needed something like this for a while to sort itself out. Now you’ll be in the perfect frame of mind to deal with that nagging issue that’s been bothering you. Bonus upside – you get the house stuff done!

Libra September 23 - October 22 Famous Faces: Will Smith (Sept. 25, 1968) Toni Braxton (Oct. 7, 1967) Gwyneth Paltrow (Sept. 28, 1972) This has been quite a bumper year for you Libra. And all good things too. Look for your unbelievable fortune to continue to abound in the New Year on all fronts.

Recognition and praise will come from all directions at work as your peers and superiors recognize the invaluable asset that you are. As if that weren’t enough, you seem to acquire the Midas touch in 2007, so be sure to turn your hand to in-

vesting to capitalize on this trend. To top it all off, your love life continues to flourish and your relationship grow from strength to strength.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 Famous Faces: Julia Roberts (Oct. 28, 1967), Bill Gates (Oct. 28, 1955) Your inner flirt comes to the surface in early January and you’re well rewarded for your efforts by many ardent admirers. But be sure to keep your eye on the prize. Hint: it’s the only other Scorpio in the room. Though not the cutest of the bunch, this sexy astrological twin is your equal in every possible way.

And we all know what happens when Scorpios collide. Hot, spicy, sexuallycharged fireworks!

Capricorn December 22-January 19 Famous Faces: Denzel Washington (Dec. 28, 1954), LL Cool J (Jan. 14, 1968) ‘Tis the season to be jolly; and terribly extravagant. Go ahead and treat yourself to that luxury item you have been eyeing all year – after all you’ve been very very good this year. Perhaps a little too good.

Break the mold and let your hair down.

Ever the levelheaded sign, Capricorn, now is the time to live it up and get drunk off of life. At least for January, then you can go back to normal with just fond memories - and one or two Polaroid’s.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 Famous Faces: Michael Jordan (Feb. 7, 1963), Jennifer Aniston (Feb. 11, 1969) Skip the New Years Eve parties this year and instead sneak off for a romantic vacation getaway. And if you aren’t in a relationship, make it a flirtatious vacation getaway. Aquarian charms overpower all around in January as Aquarians in a relationship will see things become very intense with their love interest and single Aquarians will see similar fervor in crush and flirt interests alike.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 Famous Faces: Drew Barrymore (Feb. 22, 1975), Queen Latifah (March 18, 1970) Work relationships become more strained in the New Year, mainly because of increased workload and added responsibility on your part. Don’t let it get you down, simply keep your head down and your nose to the grindstone and it too shall pass. February will find you getting increased recognition and praise for your efforts and you’ll find unexpected doors opening up to you. This is your time to shine and make a name for yourself.

HOROSCOPE Aries March 21 - April 19 Famous Faces: Sarah Jessica Parker (March 25, 1965), Reese Witherspoon (March 22, 1976) The sentimentality of the season has you turning to a friend who has of late become your sounding board on all things.

Someone you have become accustomed turning to for support is there for you once again - but this time with very different results! Look for a very platonic friendship to become heated and sexy as the days grow shorter. Where it will lead and what it becomes is up to you.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Famous Faces: George Clooney (May 6, 1961), Janet Jackson (May 16, 1966) Your creative energy is in high gear in late December to early January and the only way to deal with it is to channel it into project after project after project.

February will bring into your horizon a major life decision as the money earned from your creative side projects can potentially eclipse your 9 to 5 paycheque and your choice can only be one or the other. If you feel you are ready for it, make the leap into your passions – only success can follow.

Gemini May 21 - June 21 Famous Faces: Angelina Jolie (June 4, 1975), Johnny Depp (June 9, 1963), The New Year is once again a time of self reflection and planned evolution for you Gemini. Make your list of resolutions carefully and review them before committing them to heart, because like an enchanted wish list, your resolutions will once again manifest themselves in the coming year. 2006 was a tremendous year for you, but look for even more in 2007 as your mind and your heart align to attract all of your deepest heart’s desires.

Cancer June 22 - July 22 Famous Faces: Tom Cruise (July 3, 1962) Your inner romantic gypsy is finally growing weary Cancer, and the day you thought would never arrive is finally here.

You are now yearning, admit it, for a long term commitment and, dare I say it, a family. Unfortunately, the crush currently on your arm is not what you truly desire, and you must relinquish that pretty bauble to be ready for your life partner.

So, put your serial monogamist ways away and take a deep breath. Love is on the way. www.oceanstylemagazine.com

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ON SPOT: SEAN PAUL APPRECIATION PARTY Kingston, Jamaica

The celebrity trail takes us on tour with the “Greatest Rapper Alive,” Jay-Z

PHOTOS BY Quizz of whaddat.com

Though now spending more than half of his time outside of Jamaica, Dancehall DJ Sean Paul has not forgotten his roots. In November 2006 the Grammy winner held an appreciation party for fans at the Temple Hall Estate in the foothills of Kingston. With the Coppershot Disco spinning the latest tunes and a bar stocked with Jamaica’s new favorite, Appleton V/X, there was no escaping the vibes or the many local celebs.

WORDS BY JASMINE DOTIWALA

acations are a blessing!

I recently had my first mid-year vacation in 10 years at MTV and it was bliss! I spent time with my family in Kenya and Mauritius go-carting, sailing, doing “the safari-thing” and much, much more!

Even on the other side of the world hairy beasts picked me up. Alas, these ones also had two humps and were of the camel variety, but hey, who’s complaining? Ok maybe, just one complaint. The downside to the trip was the no-liquid-onflights rule, which made packing a nightmare.

Without the basic necessities during the journey - my Jo Malone lime and mandarin body lotion, MAC lip glass and spring water for that in-the-skies dehydration - the act of traveling was somewhat less enjoyable. But again, complaining would be silly, as on my return to the UK, I was told by MTV that the next day I would be off on tour with Jay-Z. Hmmm, this surely had to mean that I would not be flying commercial.

THE RULERS’ BACK On the verge of releasing his latest album, Kingdom Come, Jay-Z decided to go on tour to countries where he had never before performed, but like many celebrities today, he wanted to do so while rallying for a cause. After some contemplation, Jigga aligned himself with the United Nations and dedicated this tour to raising funds in aid of the world water crisis.

So unfortunately I did have to travel commercial, but that was ok because I was going to see Jigga. On September 9, 2006 I started with the kick off in Krakow, Poland. I could not help but think that first night how good the 37-year-old, Def Jam Records CEO and President looked on stage. Decked out in a hoodie, rhinestone encrusted t-shirt and Rocawear jeans, Jay

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9 Se an Paul and Ghos t 2The eclectic one - artist Jovi Rockwell 3New member of the Bad Boy team Elephant Man, founding mem1S Steve Wilson, Sean Paul tour manager 5New Couple Alert! ber of Sean Paul’s Dutty Cup Crew Kurup and Quizz of whaddat.com 4S Universal recording artist Tami Chinn and the multi-talented Wayne Marshall 6Sean’s leading lady takes center stage - Jodi “Jinx” Stewar t, Bounty Killer and Kurup 7D DJ Assassin and his brother 8Miss Jamaica World 2006 runner up, Chris telle Harris 9M Mr. Shaun of Coppershot Disco keeps the beats pumping 86

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est answer. “When I first retired I’d seen an avenue to explore music in a different way- to be creative on a different level and I wanted to show that artists could ascend to executive positions and it was with the most important hip-hop label in the world, so it just felt like the perfect opportunity,” he said. According to the artist what brought him back into the game was something which he dubbed “the X-factor.” He added, “my Xfactor is my passion and my love for the music…I’ve been writing since I was nine years old, but I’ve been active as a recording artist since 1996 and the amount of work I’ve put out in that time- when you do something so much your passion just pulls you back, so that’s what brought me back, my passion.”

After delivering a jaw-dropping performance in Poland, the next stop on the tour was Turkey, where Jay was able to check out some water-scare regions. Each day before the shows, Hov visited villages with no access to water and handed out donations along the way. This was a trend that continued throughout the entire tour.

FRIENDS OF JIGGA The highlight of the Turkey tour was that Jay covered his entire catalogue, including hits like “99 Problems,” “Dirt off your

was the epitome of a seasoned rap phenomenon and not even a three year hiatus was about to stop him.

Like many hip-hop aficionados, I was baffled by the MC’s return to the scene; he explained it to me with a brief and hon-

Shoulder” and “Encore” from the Black Album. With his lady Beyonce by his side, Jay performed his featured parts on “Deja Vu,” “Crazy in Love” and “Bonnie and Clyde 03.”

Having “B” in tow both on and off stage was important for JayZ. “We already know Beyonce is one of the premiere performers of our time, so any time she joins the show, any time she comes out it just takes the excitement level to a whole new place- she just adopts her alter-ego on stage and just goes for it so it is great,’’ he said while grinning ear to ear.

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THE WORD ON... ery? Well he was spinning the tracks, while Memphis Bleek was breaking beats alongside Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Snoop.

With Chris Martin of Coldplay, his actress-turned-singer wife Gwyneth Paltrow, Nas and Beyonce, Jay-Z made history in London, as the first hip-hop artist ever to the play the Royal Albert Hall. I guess you are wondering about the Martin/Paltrow/Jay connection - well Chris Martin produced the track “Beach Chair” on Kingdom Come. As for Gwyneth’s newly discovered talent here is Jay’s explanation, “I found out through Andre Harrell that she’d done a duets album and I asked her to come play for her birthday; I thought it was a long shot- a silly idea, but she agreed to it, so we didn’t announce her and we just put her on the screen and everybody just went crazy!”

Still in England, at Wembley Arena it was all about Jay and Nas, who put their rivalry behind them and in return produced immense amounts of on-stage synergy. “We had performed together at the Continental Arena [New Jersey] for the first time and that moment was a special moment in hip-hop history and I wanted them [the fans] to see it overseas.”

ON TO AFRICA Our stop in Italy was brief and when not performing Jay took us sight seeing and of course, shopping. Post-Italy, it was time for the most anticipated leg of the tour, Africa.

Nigeria was a blast from beginning to end. Apart from performing, Jay had a big interest in going to see a former slave port named Badagri, one of the first ports of its kind on Africa’s west coast. Beyonce just seemed thrilled to bits to be on the continent and she shared with me her love of the people.

“When I meet people here, it makes me feel spoiled when I complain about silly things-everyone is positive, I feel like I’m home, my roots are here, when I see the landscape from the plane, it gives me chills.”

By now you must have seen the pictures floating in cyberspace of Jigga and Beyonce in Kwara state dressed in traditional Nigerian attire. During their visit, government officials named a road after the rapper- the “Sean Carter Road” and also made him an honorary. “I’m like the ‘Sarkin Waka’ of the Kwara, I think it means ‘King of Entertainment,” Jay said and added, “yeah, I have a title I’m like a King in Nigeria or something-King Hova, hollaback!”

After Nigeria it was on to Jo’burg, South Africa where Miss Carter, HOV’s mother, got to meet Nelson Mandela. In the car after the event Jay confessed, “I’ve never seen her that ex-

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cited, she’s kinda jaded, so just to see her shaking and hyper ventilating was amazing.’’

The part of his act with which I was the most impressed was when Jay would show off his 40/40 eyesight. I swear, he has the ability to point out fans from the furthest end of the stadium and can even describe what they were wearing. It was really unbelievable to watch him do this, as fans were gob smacked when he spotted them.

LAST LIC’ One of the final dates was in Bangkok, Thailand where I saw Jay blow the minds of his Asian fans before shutting down the city with a Rocawear fashion shoot. Attention readers - next year look out for Rocawear ads shot on various locations around Asia and Africa with animals, children and at this rate, royal families!

The jokes along the way of course included Jay-Z’s Superman status and his recently acquired mosquito- terminator tag.

Would you believe that he would get a kick out of switching on torches in the dark to attract mosquitoes and then smacking them dead at the rate of 16 per minute? Then there was the teasing that Jay got because he took his lattes skinny, without sugar. He joked “that’s right I don’t need any m***** f***** sugar in my skinny latte-I’m a gangsta and I drink it bitter!” (This was a joke about another MC but I’ve been sworn to secrecy.)

The jokes weren’t reserved only for the rapper, as I too got my fair share of teasing. It was all fun and games- Jay once accused me of peeing in the pool (I didn’t) and then there was the funny conversation about toe sucking; I nattered on about it until Jay and my crew looked shocked! (F.Y.I. I don’t do it; we were just discussing how folks’ toe game should be fine enough to get sucked. Ok, T.M.I.) But let’s get back to the serious stuff. For all those Ocean Style readers interested in Jigga’s presidential stats, he set the record straight for us. “Hova’s oval office-I know there have been some rumours I was leaving Def Jam, I’m not leaving Def Jam…I don’t have any plans to go anywhere any time soon.”

Shortly after that conversation it was time for me to bid adieu to HOV and his crew. There were no teary goodbyes, but Jay did have a sparkle in his eyes when he reflected on the success of the tour. He lamented “I’m happy to be back and I’m anxious for people to hear the music I’ve got…I’m feeling like a rock star right now, I’m feeling like I’m in the best shape of my life, Muhammed Hovie!”

AIR JAMAICA: M O R E T H A N J US T A N A IR L I N E

Looking at value beyond airlift

WORDS BY GARWIN DAVIS AND EDITORIAL DESK

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ations have widely regarded their national airlines as symbols of modernity, progress and financial success.

Thus, for European colonies newly independent in the 1960s, forming national airlines became an important priority - a means of establishing their competence and global presence. The Caribbean was no exception to this trend. To young nationalist governments, nothing represented the hope of Caribbean advancement like commercial airliners strewn with flags and complete with well-trained pilots and stylish flight attendants.

But some 45 years later, the grandeur of the good old days in airline travel is little more than a faded memory. Caribbean state-owned airlines are facing a dilemma intrinsic to the airline industry.

Post-9/11 has brought ever-changing and expensive international security requirements, as well as oil price instability and surges. The result: the Caribbean airline industry is struggling to find ways to compete in one of the world’s toughest industries, with competitors, customers and threats that are global, but resources that remain largely local.

Serving as a prime example of the difficulties facing the Caribbean airline industry is the 2006 dissolution of Trinidad and Tobago’s national airline, British West Indies Airlines (BWIA). Due to financial difficulties, as well as the realization that a new airline would have more successful strategic and marketing prospects, Trinidad’s government decided to close down BWIA in favor of creating a new regional airline, Caribbean Airlines.

The dissolution of BWIA – one of the Caribbean’s largest and

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The answer is that yes Air Jamaica will continue to fly. Some hard decisions will have to be made but at the end of the day, the airline will have the full support of the government.

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DR. THE HON. OMAR DAVIES, MINISTER OF FINANCE AND PLANNING, JAMAICA most prominent airlines – now has industry players scrutinizing the prospects of another Caribbean airline giant, Air Jamaica. With the financial, political and cultural stakes of another dissolution running high, the viability of Air Jamaica weighs heavy on the region and its decision-makers.

For some, Air Jamaica’s success is questionable due to the simple fact that the Caribbean market’s relatively small size cannot accommodate more than one profitable regional carrier. Given this diminished chance of success, the use of taxpayer money to prop up Air Jamaica has become one of the most vexing issues among politicians and the people.

Many argue that health and education are vastly better uses of the people’s tax dollars considering the diminishing profitability of Caribbean airlines in an industry dictated by global influences.

That said, to some it is the very recognition of these “global influences” and their impact on small open economies, like those of the Caribbean, that argue for Air Jamaica’s continued support. Those with this point of view do

not ignore Air Jamaica’s weak financial performance, but they are quick to point out that the common mainstay of all Caribbean economies is tourism – an industry that survives on traffic brought in by airlines. To these defenders of the airline, the concept is simple: No airline, fewer tourists. And with fewer tourists, the Jamaican economy faces revenue decreases not only in the tourism industry, but also in the industries that the tourism industry supports, such as agriculture and manufacturing. In 2005, tourism generated approximately 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in revenue across Jamaica’s various industries, or 16% of the country’s GDP. Tourism is so important to Jamaica that the nation could hardly afford to depend solely on the revenue generated by foreign air carriers.

Clearly, there is no consensus, and there remains to be a serious public debate on the true value of Air Jamaica to the Jamaican economy and the larger Caribbean region.

In the meantime, regional politicians largely waste time by playing the blame game. Unfortunately, the question of who did what when, where and why will not pay for fuel or service Air Jamaica’s debt. The fact is that various traditional economic models have been tested and the conclusion is that Air Jamaica may never be a profitable enterprise considering its enormous debt and the sobering reality that the airline industry as a whole has lost more money in the past 10 years than it has made.

SO WHERE DOES AIR JAMAICA GO FROM HERE? The Jamaican government has provided unwavering support for Air Jamaica under the assumption that the airline’s value to the national economy is greater than its burden. In this context, the questions become how much support is enough, and, more importantly, how much support can the country afford.

However, it is extremely difficult to answer these questions with much reliability because fuel prices and security compliance costs are dictated by international entities.

These questions become almost impossible to answer when one also factors in Jamaica’s mounting health and education needs, the rising costs of service

delivery and the rigorous competition for tax dollars across all sectors of the society.

Despite these difficulties, it is estimated that the Jamaican government and private entities have invested 1.3 billion U.S. dollars into Air Jamaica since it became privately owned in 1994. Critics suggest that this figure is conservative, noting, “there is significant expenditure unaccounted for that has 92

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gone into Air Jamaica.” The Jamaican government has recently reaffirmed its decision to provide a subsidy of 30 million U.S. dollars (approximately 2 billion Jamaican dollars) per year to keep Air Jamaica airborne and has instructed senior management to restructure the company to operate within that financial window. Will that be sufficient? No one really knows.

Responding to critics, Jamaica’s Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, stated categorically that the government will continue to subsidize Air Jamaica, noting that the long term benefits will outweigh the cost being borne by the country.

“The answer is that yes Air Jamaica will continue to fly,” the Minister noted. “Some hard decisions will have to be made but at the end of the day, the airline will have the full support of the government.” But is that ‘full support’ in principle or ‘full support’ in dollars? And if it’s ‘full support’ in dollars, how much will it cost?

MORE THAN JUST AN AIRLINE What is hardly debatable is that the former private partners, the Butch Stewart led Air Jamaica Acquisition Group (AJAG), made Air Jamaica a recognized global brand of the finest international quality. Anyone who flew with the airline prior to its “colors and champagne” can attest to the revolutionary change in the airline’s image and service. Thanks to AJAG, what Air Jamaica does have is “brand capital,” which extends beyond the actual revenue brought in by its flights.

An Air Jamaica promotion goes well beyond selling plane tickets. It extends to the person considering a Caribbean vacation, for whom Jamaica may become a higher priority. It extends to a person surfing the web whose curiosity becomes piqued by the promotion and logs on to learn more about the island. It extends to the person considering a business proposal, for whom it serves as a “reminder” of Jamaica and perhaps justifies another look at investing on the island.

These are but a few isolated examples of what an Air Jamaica promotion, plane in the sky, decal on a uniform, ticket-

ing counter signage, can prompt. The socalled “multiplier” effect is tricky to calculate but it is real and must be considered in determining the value of the airline.

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FEATURES lines), LIAT, Caribbean Star or any other regional carrier. Econ- the years and is the country’s pride and joy in the skies. It has omists and business people – particularly those who have in- been very tough for the airline industry worldwide since Sepvested in Jamaica’s tourism sector – should find a way to tember 11 and Air Jamaica is no exception.” quantify Air Jamaica’s added value. Only then can one evalu- The question remains, does the value Air Jamaica creates beyond the pure business model warrant its continued survival? ate the airline’s true viability and contribution to the island.

Or will Air Jamaica follow the path of The economic difficulties facing Air BWIA, becoming part of a Caribbean Jamaica are realities that the past replaced by the realities of Caribbean must face. However, today’s business climate and the fiwhen doing so, denying the airline’s nancial priorities of an island governsubstantial value to Jamaica’s ment with pressing and competing larger economy would be a missocial demands? Either way, the detake. bate must begin with a financial asKingston businessperson, Stuart sessment, however rudimentary, of Brown, surmises, “We all know the the airline’s true value beyond the revproblems, but I am not hearing anyenue generated by ticket sales. Havone publicly talking about the benefits of having Air Jamaica around. ing soared to new heights, history Air Jamaica has contributed imwould not be kind if anything less BUSINESSMAN STUART BROWN mensely to Jamaica’s tourism over transpired.

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Air Jamaica has contributed immensely to Jamaica’s tourism over the years and is the country’s pride and joy in the skies.

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ON SPOT: COTT AWARDS 4 1 5 3

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Machel Montano entertaining the ladies at the cocktail reception 2D Dr. Inyang Ebong-Harstrup, right, former United Nations Develop1M ment Programme Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, poses with UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Claudio Providas 3Media personalities Nikki Crosby and Myroon Ali make an animated entrance on the red carpet 4T The Carib Shiv Shakti Dancers accompanied Shurwayne Winchester during his rendition of “Don’t Stop.” 5V Veerendra Persad, left, won the award for Chutney Soca of the Year with “Doi Festival” and is accompanied by his son 6Each year COTT honors a long-standing member with the Golden Achievement Award. The 2006 honor went to Leroy Callis te the “Black Stalin.” 7Winners row was where the top songwriters of the year were seated. Des tra Garcia, with hand in the air, won the Pan Song of the Year, and Female Songwriter of the Year awards sits in the comChris tine Tanker, left, wife of the late musician Andre Tanker, and their daughter Zopany of 2006 top awardee Shurwayne Winchester 8C Marie Tanker-Isava having a good time at the ceremony 9New Male Songwriter of the Year, Clyde Headley, left, shows his award presented by former COTT board member Sonja Dumas and music executive, Ivan Berr y 10Songwriter of the Year, Shurwayne Winchester raises his award to acknowledge the audience response. The award was presented by Earl Nesbitt, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Allison Demas, CEO of COTT, left, poses with Liz Montano, and Canadian music executive JenCOTT’s vice president Lisa Wickham 11A nifer Beavis of ole Publishing and Canadian Idol judge Farley Flex 12Shurwayne Winchester, left, and Shawn Noel celebrate winning the award for Groovy Soca of the Year “Don’t Stop.”

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