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10
HOTTEST CARIBBEAN WOMEN IN FASHION
AND FIVE TO WATCH!
SEXY SOCA STAR
DESTRA GETS WET WITH SPLASH
CARIBBEAN FEMALE CHEFS YOU SHOULD KNOW
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Letter from the Editor Hey Everyone, We wanted to dedicate this issue of Splash to Women’s Month, which was in March. Our team assembled some pieces we think will remind you why women are so truly amazing. First, we caught up with Soca hottie Destra as our Splash! cover girl, fresh off her appearances at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and Bacchanal Jamaica Beach J’Ouvert. The sexy T&T native tells us about her time at the festival, what REALLY happened at Beach J’Ouvert 2015, and how she keeps those killer curves in top shape year round. With Fashion Week closing in Paris last month, we were inspired to compile a list of the hottest Caribbean women in the fashion industry. It’s an impressive lineup of game changers, tastemakers, and newcomers to the industry. More than just pretty faces, their collective accomplishments are formidable. I’ll be following the “Five to Watch” with great interest in the coming years; I think they are going to have epic careers. If you are a fan of good food, you’ll definitely want to read “Ten Female Caribbean Chefs You Oughta Know.” Similar to the fashion industry, where male designers dominate in a profession that is traditionally associated with women, we wanted to celebrate female chefs from the region in a field where most of the chefs who achieve star status are men. It’s a paradox, to be certain, but we see you, ladies, and we want to send some love your way! Of course, spring is officially here! With the arrival of the Equinox on March 20th, we’re looking forward to warmer temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere (we can’t all be in the Caribbean soaking up the sun). As a look ahead to beach season, or if you’re treating yourself to a tropical vacation and happened to be in the market for some new surfside attire, we want our readers to know about up-and-coming swimwear label IndieSWIM. In rounding out the issue, we’ll take you on a quick trip to the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas before ending with a story on a young woman who, although not from the Caribbean, is an inspiration to women and girls everywhere. There’s more inside, so please, dive into Splash! Let’s get wet!
TUERE A. RANDALL Managing Editor Email: tuere.randall@oceanstylemedia.com Twitter: @LaJamericaine Instagram: @LaJamericaine
In this issue 06
FEATURE: TEN HOTTEST CARIBBEAN WOMEN IN FASHION AND 5 TO WATCH!
12
TRAVEL: THE RITZ-CARLTON, ST. THOMAS
14
FASHION: MEET NEW”ISH” SWIMWEAR LABEL INDIESWIM
15
BEAUTY: BRAND ALERT! CHARLOTTE TILBURY
17
FOOD AND DRINK: BAHAMA MAMA
18
TEN CARIBBEAN FEMALE CHEFS YOU OUGHTTA KNOW
20
BLOODYGOODSTUFF: MONUMENT PHOTO DEVICE
22
INTERVIEW: COVER GIRL DESTRA GARCIA
25
IN THE NEWS: THE ZIKA VIRUS—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
26
INSPIRATION: SUPPORTING THE MALALA FUND
Credits EDITOR IN CHIEF Douglas K. Gordon MANAGING EDITOR Tuere A. Randall PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Shana Guins CONTRIBUTORS Darcy Mayfair Eric Polhill Princella Talley Tuere A. Randall
COVER PHOTO CREDITS: Photography: Nigel Reid Stylist: Aisha Gooding Makeup: Amanda Bugros
TEN of the
HOTTEST CARIBBEAN WOMEN
and Five to watch BY TUERE A. RANDALL For Women’s Month, we decided to pay tribute to the hottest women in fashion from the Caribbean (or of Caribbean descent).
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JOAN SMALLS model Smalls, who is Puerto Rican (her real surname is Rodriguez), has had an enviable career without question. A highly sought after runway model in all the major shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris over the past several years, Smalls also continues to give good face as one of the spokesmodels for Estée Lauder (she is the first black woman to be hired to rep the cosmetics and skincare giant), and has lent her lovely visage to Gucci, Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli. Smalls appeared in the 2011 all black spread in Italian Vogue, has appeared in several high fashion ad campaigns, and she continues to crush the runway to this day. She’s also a very high ranking soldier in Olivier Rousteing’s “Balmain Army.”
JOURDAN DUNN model A Brit with Jamaican roots, it has been almost ten years since Dunn’s runway debut in the fall of 2007. She quickly catapulted to the top of the modeling industry, becoming the first black model to walk for Prada in over 10 years in 2008. That same year, the British Fashion Council designated her Model of the Year. A favorite of many designers, as well as gal pal to several of her model contemporaries, she has appeared in numerous editorials, including the wildly popular all-black spread in Italian Vogue with Iman, Chanel Iman and Dominican beauty Sessilee Lopez in 2011. Dunn has been a part of several major fashion brand ad campaigns, including Burberry, Aquascutum and Balmain x H&M. She’s a Maybelline spokesmodel, as well.
NAOMI CAMPBELL model We wanted to come out of the gate strong with this list, and who better to start with than Naomi Campbell? Campbell’s career has spanned decades and I’m sure most of the women on this list have been inspired by what she has brought to the fashion world as a woman of color and Caribbean descent. No one has a fiercer walk, better gams or a more audacious attitude. Muse to many—her friendship with Gianni Versace was well known—she inspired the Dolce & Gabbana perfume “L’Imperatrice” (French for Empress) and she appeared in George Michael’s iconic “Freedom ‘90” video alongside fellow super models Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford and Tatjana Patitz over 25 years ago! With her numerous magazine covers, TV and silver screen appearances, whirlwind high profile romances, and infamous (albeit alleged) phone throwing incidents—Campbell is, quite simply, a living legend and a catwalk goddess.
STELLA JEAN designer To say that Haitian/Italian designer Jean has the best of both worlds would be terribly cliché, but also incredibly fitting. Inspired by the pulsating hues of exotic Haiti and the Italian obsession with impeccable craftsmanship, Jean’s resulting duality of influences coalesce in collections that evoke Old World elegance and New World charm in a fresh and exciting way. Her eclectic clothing for men, women, and children are highly individualistic and audacious, often exploding in riotous patterns of vibrant color (Beyoncé and Rihanna are fans). Jean’s commitment to ethically-created fashion, which began in earnest with her FW2015 collection, includes buying fabrics woven by West African artisans, and crafts created in her beloved Haiti. She has been careful not to further perpetuate the cycle of colonialism through the appropriation of designs inspired by one culture, and then produced by impoverished communities in far-flung places halfway around the world at below standard wages for Western consumption. As quoted from her website, “It’s a testament to how fashion, beyond aesthetics, can evolve into an instrument of counter-colonisation and become a vehicle for, and expression of, economic, social and ethical growth and enfranchisement.” It may be hard to determine which is more compelling, her aesthetic or her worldview. Thankfully, the two go hand in hand.
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CARLY CUSHNIE designer
SHIONA TURINI influencer Although she started off as a public relations coordinator at YSL before working her way up through the ranks, eventually Turini, a Bermudian, moved over into editorial where she first made her mark as Accessories Editor at W Magazine before becoming Accessories Director at Teen Vogue. From there she became the Market and Beauty Director under Carine Roitfeld at CR Fashion Book, followed by a move to Cosmopolitan where she was named Fashion Market Director. She is now a fashion consultant and stylist, having recently been enlisted to work on Beyonce’s “Formation” video. This woman is a powerhouse. Her artistic vision is sublime. And her closet is off the chain. Add to that an unbeatable work ethic and business savvy. On top of all that, she pays it forward, by mentoring six designers from Bermuda each year with a team of other professionals. And yes, while we know Bermuda is technically in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean, check out her Instagram @shionaT to see just how well she serves up some serious island style. You didn’t think a mere technicality would keep her off this list, did you? 8 OCEAN Style
As half of the talented designer team Cushnie et Ochs (with Michelle Ochs), Cushnie remains firmly ensconced as part of New York’s fashion glitterati. With their daring, body-contouring silhouettes and unabashed femininity, Cushnie, of Jamaican descent, has co-created a brand with an every woman kind of appeal. Not every designer can say they’ve dressed the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama and Rihanna!
SHALA MONROQUE influencer This St. Lucian beauty expertly blurs the lines between the worlds of art and high fashion. Muse to Miuccia Prada and handpicked by art afficionado and Garage Magazine Editor-inChief Dasha Zhukova to be Creative Director, Monroque has been making the rounds on the NYC social scene for years with her art-dealer impresario boyfriend Larry Gagosian. Willowy and well-connected, Monroque has been featured in fashion tomes such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, both as a writer and a subject, and she has modeled for Net-a-Porter Magazine. Monroque’s sartorial savvy inspires fashionistas around the world. oceanstylemagazine.com
RIHANNA star The only Bajan on the list, Rihanna put her very small native island of Barbados on the map in a super big way when she first bust onto the music scene with “Pon de Replay” in 2005. However, her look began to pique the public’s interest some years later—when she debuted an edgy new haircut and dye job in the “Umbrella” video in 2007; her clothing game seemed to step up significantly as well. Since then, a winning stylist team has kept Rihanna on the lips of fashionistas and industry insiders, alike. Her bold, fearless, youthful aesthetic tears down red carpets. She’s equally known for her off-duty style. Combined with her chameleonchanging hairdos, her distinctive tattoos, and a devil-may-care attitude (her twitter rampages might possibly cut sharper than her style), Rihanna dominates the fashion conversation perhaps more than anyone else on this list—a fact acknowledged by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, who gave her their Fashion Icon Award in 2014. She’s done collections for global retailer River Island. She just showed her Fenty x Puma collection at NYFW. This April, Rihanna will cover Vogue magazine again, but this time on both sides of the pond. And her “Denim Desserts” collaboration with Manolo Blahnik hits stores later this Spring. She’s also the first black woman to front a Dior campaign. In short, Rihanna is SLAYING the fashion game. Maybe the first hit off her new ANTI album should have been called “Werk!”
TAMU MCPHERSON influencer A noted blogger, street style photographer and socialite, Jamaican born McPherson influences tens of thousands of fans who follow her on social media. While she first became famous for her pictures of other fashion mavens, those seeking sartorial inspiration have been equally motivated by the pictures where she is in front of the camera, as well. If you’re looking to up your style quotient, or just want tips on how to take better pics for your Instagram feed, you’ll want to follow the flock at her blog “All the Pretty Birds” and on Instagram @alltheprettybirdsofficial and @tamumcpherson. She currently resides in Italy.
JENNIFER LOPEZ star Love her or leave her, the Puerto Rican triple-talented Lopez has been a major fashion influencer ever since that shockingly memorable, cut-up-tohere and plunging-all-the-way-down-to-there emerald print Versace dress she wore to the Grammys in 2000 (back when she was dating a certain music mogul who now goes by the name Diddy). Capitalizing on the popularity of that notorious dress (which at the time seemed held together by hope and a prayer, but was later attributed to the magic of doublesided tape!), J-Lo started a mass produced clothing line called “Sweetface” back in 2001. Sweetface was hotly anticipated but fizzled out by 2009 (she later confessed Sweetface was a disappointment in her career). Now a red carpet regular, whether it’s her awards show couture choices, her street-style, or the elaborate costumes that she chooses in her onstage performances, fashion watchers love to see what she’s wearing. And while she is a large part (pun intended) of the reason that appreciation for lush derrieres became mainstream, in retrospect, perhaps her greatest contribution to fashion was putting double-sided tape on the map. Yes, it all goes back to that dress … oceanstylemagazine.com
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and Five to watch AISLING CAMPS designer
AZÉDE JEAN-PIERRE desginer Born in Haiti and raised in Georgia, Jean-Pierre began her design journey at the Savannah College of Art and Design, later honing her craft as an apprentice at Ralph Rucci and Ohne Titel before launching her eponymous label in 2012. Her clothes (which have been worn by First Lady Michelle Obama and Solange Knowles) are simultaneously feminine and functional, capturing the essence of the free spirit, while seamlessly blending robust silhouettes with fluid fabrics that evoke the natural world. In fact, sustainable luxury is one of the hallmarks of Jean-Pierre’s brand, as she seeks to develop economic opportunities for artisans in marginalized communities (embroidered wares from the SS2016 collection were made in Haiti). She is one of the designers featured on Luwolt151.com and is also a Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship Finalist, where she is competing for a grand prize of $100,000 to grow her business and be mentored by Tory Burch for a year. If you would like to show her some support, you can vote for her every day until April 22nd.
Camps, a Trinidadian native, is a rising fashion design star (who also happens to look like a model). She specializes in knitwear, and if you’re one who has always relegated the idea of woolen garments to cozy sweaters and cashmere lounge pants in the colder months, you owe it to yourself to visit her website. One look at her sultry, elegant and tropical-inspired designs, and she’ll turn your entire concept of knitwear on its ear. Check out her website www.aislingknits. com. Her clothes are featured on the new fashion incubator site www.luwolt151.com.
LINEISY MONTERO (FELIZ) model TAMI WILLIAMS AND KAI NEWMAN model These Jamaican knockouts have actually been BFFs since childhood and are poised to take the runways by storm together. They were discovered by Jamaican modeling agency Saint International a few years ago and have been in serious demand within the last year—Williams now fronts Calvin Klein and Newman is a spokesmodel for Maybelline (both ladies are still only in their teens). Check out this Vogue.com post on this pretty pair. 10 OCEAN Style
The Dominican stunner walked in a bazillion shows the past couple of fashion week seasons. Ironically, hailing from a country that has a tenuous relationship with its African heritage at best, Montero’s trademark cropped Afro distinguishes her from the rest of the pack. The fashion crowd seems to have noticed—she’s garnered quite a following on Instagram already. oceanstylemagazine.com
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MINI GETAWAY TO THE
RITZ- CARLTON ST. THOMAS BY DARCY MAYFAIR
Nothing says “treat yourself” better than a mini getaway at a Ritz-Carlton property, which is exactly what I did this past September when I stayed for two nights at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas. As part of a five-day, four- night island hopping excursion (we started our trip at the Ritz-Carlton, San Juan), we definitely saved the best for last. Situated on Great Bay Beach in St. Thomas, the Ritz-Carlton is a lush, tropical sprawl spread out over 30 sloping acres of carefully landscaped palm trees, fragrant floral blooms and verdant foliage. It took a bit of time to get there from the airport (though I suspect it had more to do with our driver being up in age than the actual distance), but some much-needed sunshine offered a welcome respite from the two days of showers we had experienced in San Juan. Indeed, the sun’s warmth was rivaled, perhaps, only by the inviting and helpful personalities of the staff. Upon our arrival, we were immediately given welcome cocktails and checked in sans delay. We hopped onto one of the resort’s many carts and the driver whisked us off to our very own little cozy corner of the hotel for the next 48 hours. The accommodations upheld the standards that have made the Ritz-Carlton a world-renowned prestige hotel brand – generous square footage, a spacious bathroom with a bathtub and separate shower and toilet area, luxury toiletries courtesy of Asprey London, the signature RitzCarlton bathrobes and slippers and a king-size 12 OCEAN Style
bed resplendently outfitted with flawless white linens surrounded. A blend of neutral tones sharply punctuated by stately dark woods, the décor seamlessly blended Old World elegance with modern flourishes. Our room also had a rather roomy balcony overlooking the resort with a partial view of the bay – perfect for ordering room service and dining al fresco. While extremely tempted to stay ensconced in the room, once outside on the resort grounds, it was equally difficult to stay inside. Sails, the bar and grill near the beach area, proved to be an excellent watering hole for chatting
up other guests and it would have been easy to spend a king’s ransom sampling all of the delicious concoctions dreamed up by the bar staff. And although the siren call of the infinity pool beckoned, we spent our lazy days lounging on chairs by the beach. With a variety of nonmotorized watersport activities at our disposal and the lull of Great Bay’s calm, crystal clear waters and spectacular views of mountain peaks nearby (we couldn’t tell if they were peaks from other neighboring islands or simply crests peeking beyond bends and turns on St. Thomas’ own mountainous terrain), we took to the sea to oceanstylemagazine.com
explore the area by kayak. Mostly we just basked under the shade of the umbrella in the sunshine; eventually we did spend an evening dipping back and forth from the infinity pool to the Jacuzzi nearby. Of course, the Ritz-Carlton is known for its fine dining options and St. Thomas was no exception. We ate breakfast on the Bleuwater Terrace every morning and grabbed lunch at Sails, but we did leave the property on a few occasions to sample the local scene and cuisine.
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While we didn’t have the time to do everything we could have done during our stay, it is worth noting that the Ritz-Carlton team can arrange day excursions to sister island St. John or their cousin in the British Virgin Islands Jost Van Dyke. The Ritz--Carlton also boasts St. Thomas’ only 18 hole championship golf course, offers a wide array of soothing spa services including a couples’ massage in their beach cabana and extends a very unique eco-cultural experience through their “Ambassador of the Environment” program. Coupled with the activities provided through their “Ritz Kids” program, the resort is
extremely family friendly. Whether you are looking for a family vacay or a romantic interlude for two, If you have the opportunity to visit St. Thomas and you have never been to the Ritz-Carlton there, I’d highly recommend that you consider booking a stay. Rates are pretty friendly during the low season and manageable during peak travel times as well. I would certainly go back.
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MEET NEW“ISH” SWIMWEAR LABEL
IndieSWIM BY TUERE A. RANDALL
Rincon Top and Martinique Bottom in Petal Pusher
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Tortola Top and Seychelles Bottom in Afrikana J’Ouvert Mud
Cocles Top and Lantana Bottom in Feather Fiesta Citron Green
IndieSWIM is a cool, up and coming swimwear company, founded by Zoe Gregalot, a Trinidad and Tobago native, and Rosanna Bermudez, a Floridian of Dominican ancestry. No longer content with cutting up purchased swimsuits to customize their look, the beachwear babes decided to give it a go on their own, thus, IndieSWIM was born. Established in 2012, the company has several collections under their belt, but people really started to take notice when one of their bikinis was included in the February 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, photographed gracing the flawless body of another Caribbean beauty, model Hannah Davis of the US Virgin Islands. Through the fun, brightly-colored, tropicalinspired prints, the occasional cowrie shell embellishment, and names that pay homage to their regional homeland such as “Rincon,” ”Tortola,” and “Martinique,” Gregalot and Bermudez demonstrate the brand’s island influences, although they are based in Florida. Their mix and match line of separates (some of which are reversible), cut from fine Italian lycra, insures a multitude of style possibilities in shapes and cuts that compliment a variety of figures. We love their high-waisted styles, which offer a chic alternative to those looking to minimize their midsections, or simply as a high fashion pool or beachside look, but they have a full range of designs with varying levels of coverage. Check out these pieces from IndieSwim. And be sure to check out their website for more great options. oceanstylemagazine.com
CHARLOTTE TILBURY
HOT LIPS PAINTED PUCKERS FOR A GOOD CAUSE BY DARCY MAYFAIR I’ll be totally honest. I haven’t tried Charlotte Tilbury makeup yet, although it’s on my cosmetics bucket list. I’ve read so many good reviews about her Magic Foundation, which comes in an impressive array of shades for a variety of skin tones. And in general, I found her background intriguing as a celebrity makeup artist for over 20 years. The stunning redhead clearly knows a thing or two about how to help women put their best face forward, so I thought talking about her beauty line would be perfect for Women’s Month. As luck would have it, I uncovered a story that proved better than the one I originally intended to write. It turns out that Tilbury is a huge supporter of the non-profit Women for Women International for about 20 years, as well. Women for Women International helps to provide financial and educational resources to women in conflict-ridden regions around the world. As part of their mission, one of the things they asked the women they serve is what other items they might want or need in addition to the other services being provided. The answer? Lipstick. While the answer may seem surprising at first, apparently, lipstick provided a psychological boon for women which helped them keep some confidence in the face of adversity. It’s not hard to believe, especially when statistics have shown that during past recession cycles, while spending on other items declined, lipstick sales went up. Anyhow, as any good business-minded makeup artist with a heart for philanthropy would do, Tilbury seized that inspiration to create a lipstick line called “Hot Lips,” with each of the colors named for twelve of her celeb gal pals—Miranda Kerr, Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek, Kate Bosworth, Laura Bailey, Cindy Crawford, Helena Bonham-Carter, Liv Tyler, Emily Ratakjowski, Carina Lau, Poppy Delevingne and Kim Kardashian-West. Two dollars from the sale of each lipstick will benefit Women for Women International, and twelve women will be selected to be mentored by Charlotte Tilbury on behalf of each A-Lister that lent their name to a lipstick. So far, “Hot Lips” has a wait list. So if you happen to get the opportunity to get your hands on one, grab it! You’ll have a cool new shade to color your pucker and you’ll be helping a fellow woman in need. How cool is that?
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COCKTAIL RECIPE
BAHAMA MAMA BY DARCY MAYFAIR
I love how this recipe conjures the image of a beautiful woman, strolling along a flawless beach, hips sashaying to the rhythm of the breeze and some tempting island beats. Maybe she’s wearing a bandeau top and a flowing maxi skirt. Maybe it’s a string bikini and a pair of waist beads. Whatever she’s wearing, I’d like to be her right now. There were several variations of this cocktail on the internet. I chose this one from DrinksMixer.com. because the addition of the Heering cherry liqueur seems to add more depth to its composition. I’d use Malibu coconut rum and Bacardi Gold for this recipe. And if you’re looking to unleash your inner wild woman, I would suggest reducing the Bacardi Gold to 1 oz and add a ½ oz of Bacardi 151. Ahhh, the possibilities are endless … 1/2 oz lemon juice 2 oz orange juice 2 oz pineapple juice 1 1/2 oz rum 1 oz coconut rum 1/2 oz Heering® cherry liqueur 1/2 oz grenadine syrup Shake ingredients with cracked ice. Serve in a 12 oz. glass. Garnish with a cherry and 1/2 slice orange in a tooth pick.
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TEN CARIBBEAN FEMALE CHEFS YOU OUGHTA KNOW BY PRINCELLA TALLEY
CHEF NINA COMPTON
Serving as St. Lucia’s very first culinary ambassador, the “gnocchi queen” herself, Chef Nina Compton can effortlessly satisfy the palates of locals and tourists alike due to her expertise and creativity. A finalist on Bravo’s Top Chef, she has worked alongside many a famous chef, and her travels have given her encouragement as an educator and chef who hopes to inspire other cooks to think outside of the box in her hometown. New Orleans and Miami are just a few of the foodie hot-spots that Chef Nina has graced with her presence and her delicious varieties of Caribbean, French and Italian cuisine.
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CHEF MARISOLL
In Puerto Rico, Chef Marisoll has been serving up meals that make the taste buds of locals and legends dance with delight. Just as impressive as her culinary genius are her awards and recognition from the Senate of Puerto Rico, along with her celebrity clientele. Her Caribbean cooking style has impressed the palates of big names, including but definitely not limited to, Antonio Banderas, Deepak Chopra, Sylvester Stallone, and Barbara Walters. She was the first female executive chef in Puerto Rico and is currently a representative for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
SIMONE WALKER-BARRETT
Chef Simone Walker-Barrett has been in the culinary industry for more than 15 years and has served as an executive chef since 2009. HomeChef, her seasonings brand, was deemed the ‘Best New Product’ at the Jamaica Observer Food Awards in 2013, and is currently available in seven flavors. As a culinary instructor and cook, she has the extensive training and skill required to guide ambitious cooks towards harnessing their own gastronomic style. Additionally, she uses her meals to familiarize different countries with the exquisite culture of Jamaica through taste and imaginative meal preparations.
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CINDY HUTSON
With love, passion, and no formal training, Cindy Hutson’s rise in the culinary industry could serve as inspiration to all aspiring chefs. Her cooking approach defies conventional wisdom and is what she calls the “Cuisine of the Sun,” meaning that there are no boundaries as she prepares her Caribbean-inspired meals.
CHEF BABETTE DE ROZIERS
Babette de Roziers has established restaurants in Guadeloupe and France. Her list of accomplishments is long and plentiful, placing her in the ranks with chefs as famous as Joel Robuchon, whom she has also worked closely with on various projects. Television host and author of numerous cookbooks, Chef Babette continues to be an award-winning and respected chef in the industry.
Cooking everything under the sun helped her and partner Delius Shirley to pull in awards and build a notable business in the process. Chef Magazine and Eater named her Chef of the Year in 2012 and she has caught the attention of many other major publications, including the New York Times and USA Today. The “Cuisine of the Sun” can be experienced at Ortanique on the Crescent at Camana Bay on Grand Cayman Island and at Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables, Florida.
SUZANNE AND MICHELLE ROSSEAU
Suzanne and Michelle Rosseau are two sisters and chefs who work as a team. Both hail from Jamaica, and if you live in the region, you most likely know them from their weekly broadcast “2 Sisters & A Meal” that airs on Television Jamaica. This dynamic duo are equally business savvy and fun. From restaurants to catering, their recipes are inspired by family and Caribbean culture, and their culinary adventures give viewers insight into the lively history, people, and travel opportunities that abound here. The Rosseau’s book Caribbean Potluck is a comprehensive collection of more than 100 recipes and has placed them in the spotlight throughout the US and other countries.
CHEF ERIKA DAVIS
Chef Erika Davis may not have grown up in the islands, but she left a grand impression on us as the Creative Director of Graycliff Chocolatier in Nassau, Bahamas. As a pastry chef with international appeal, it’s hard to forget her mouthwatering works of art seen during her time preparing desserts on Top Chef. She also heads the Minority Chef Summit, which seeks to give minorities the access to culinary knowledge and inspiration and allows chefs from around the world to network over the course of three days in the Caribbean.
CHEF ROCHELLE GRINDLEY
Chef Rochelle Grindley hit the scene in her early 20’s, making quite an impression with her passion and appreciation of Jamaican culture, which is as varied and intriguing as her dishes. Rightfully so, scholarship privileges were awarded to Chef Rochelle on behalf of her cooking abilities as she studied her craft in culinary programs to better utilize her unique talents that were easily recognizable since her earlier years. Now, she stands for Jamaica in more ways than one. She represented Jamaica in London’s World Skills Cooking Competition, and was also the Taste of Jamaica 2014 Chef of the Year. An award winning sous-chef, her meals have kept countless epicureans coming back for more at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records where she directs a team of over 20 with her mastery and guidance.
SARAH MAIR Remembering Norma Shirley: Coined the “Julia Child of the Caribbean” she has been featured in Vogue, the New Yorker, Conde Nast Traveler, and seen on Discovery Channel and Food Network. She is also credited with bringing Jamaica to the fore of the culinary industry. Norma passed away in 2010, and is survived by her son Delius Shirley, the partner of famous chef Cindy Hutson and owner of celebrated restaurants serving Caribbean dishes.
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Sara Mair definitely knows how to stand out from the crowd. A Top Chef contestant, the show went against its normal protocol and requested that she be involved in Top Chef 3 Miami. Chef Sara is Jamaican, taking great pride in authentic and local ingredients and it’s obvious in the seasoning and tastes of her preparations.
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i n f o @o c e a n s t y l e t r a v e l . c o m
www. o c e a n s t y l e t r a v e l . c o m
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SEXY SOCA SINGER
DESTRA GETS WET WITH SPLASH! BY TUERE RANDALL Unless you’re sight-challenged, anyone can see that Soca Queen Destra Garcia is smokin’ hot! And with a powerhouse voice and a body to match (she should come with the warning label “Dangerous Curves Ahead”), the T&T native reigns over her industry by turning out hit after hit, year after year, much to the delight of Soca fans and Carnival chasers around the world. But what the average person might not know is that the sultry siren is also really just a sweet, lovely person. Although we conducted our interview by phone, her lively sense of humor, genuine warmth and wit, and willingness to share came through in spite of the distance. Gracious and without an iota of pretense, Destra cleared up some misconceptions about last year’s Jamaica Beach J’Ouvert’s “Bacchanalgate,” and dished on her experience at SXSW, the universal appeal of Carnival, and how she keeps that physique in peak condition. 22 OCEAN Style
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So first off, let’s talk about your trip to SXSW – how was it? It was cool. I think SXSW is pretty much for artists that are trying to get themselves out there and get out there to meet people and network. When I went, I saw a lot of people that I already knew. It was cool, the experience was great. I like Austin. Was it a diverse crowd or mostly Soca fans who came out to see you because they knew you would be there? It was diverse in that when we started to play, there were some people that came that were from the Caribbean and you could tell because they walked with their flags to represent where they’re from. But when the music started to play, there were some people who were visiting the downstairs because we were in the upstairs part of a bar where they had a stage, people came upstairs to check it out. A lot of them didn’t know who I was, some of them didn’t even speak English. You said you liked Austin. Are there any cool spots or good restaurants you would recommend? I think it’s called 6th Street, that is the main street where everything is happening. A lot of good bars, good restaurants – for the people who go to school, that’s their hideout. Name a place where readers may be surprised to learn you’ve performed. I performed in a place called Bimini – I don’t know if a lot of people have heard of it before— but they had never had live Soca there before. What’s your travel schedule usually like? Well, once Carnival is over in Trinidad, I’m mostly gone. But I do use my country as the hub. I live in Trinidad, so during the week, I’m here with my daughter because she has school, and I’m doing business. But then we pick up and leave on the weekends. There are times when I may have a two week break. Like now, I just came back from Beach J’Ouvert in Jamaica and I’m off for two weeks, and then the next stop is … Freeport. I tend to get the schedule month to month. But it’s two weeks downtime at the most. And then there are times when I’m performing in one place on Thursday, and then at another place on Saturday, and somewhere else on Monday, but that’s usually when I’m performing during a long weekend, like Memorial Day. When I go to the Bahamas, I’ll be gone for half the week. So, you were talking about Bacchanal Jamaica and Beach J’Ouvert. Last year, you asked, well insisted, that the fence be brought down that separated the VIP section from the rest of the general admission. Did you insist on the same general audience admission this year as part of your agreement to perform? No. What happened last year wasn’t the whole thing about the fence separating the VIP from oceanstylemagazine.com
the general. What it was is that normally, in a performance as live as ours with Soca people, we tend to get people to do all kinds of stuff— running, jumping, moving—and it’s kind of disruptive when there is a fence going from the front of the stage to the back of the party—now the entire party is separated in two. So you can’t really get people to move as you want them to. This year, I don’t know if it was the change of venue; there was a VIP section, but there was even space for people to run or move if they wanted to. But you know what? The place was so jammed pack, I couldn’t even ask them to move anyway. I thought about it … but then I said, they’re packed like sardines in a can, I don’t think I could get them to go anywhere. So no, I didn’t get to cause “no bacchanal (laughing)!” Is there a Carnival you haven’t participated in? Yes. I’ve never been to Asia. And I know that the Japanese audience, they always play my music on the road when they play Mas, and the steel bands always play my pan songs. I had no idea they played Mas in Japan! They do, but it’s not in scantily clad costumes like we do in the Caribbean. They do their traditional Mas, people dress in kimonos, they dress up like Geishas. They do have some of the Mas elements, but I don’t think in those cultures they’re allowed to wear skimpy clothes. They fashion it more appropriately, but they do have Mas. I do have quite a few Japanese friends and Chinese friends and they’ll send me pictures or videos of them playing my songs and jumping up. It’s always nice and I want to go, but to go to a market like that, I don’t think they’d be able to bring the whole band at first because of sponsorship issues. And I always have shows, so it’s not like I can say, let’s up and go plan a vacation to Japan. There’s always something going on. Is there a Caribbean Carnival you haven’t been to, or have you been to them all? I think I’ve been to them all. Even the ones in the U.S., I’ve been to those too. Have you ever had to miss T&T Carnival? Yes. I missed Trini Carnival once, when I just had my daughter because she was born in January. I took the Carnival season off, but I picked up my touring in Jamaica right after. Outside of Trinidad, what are the top three Caribbean Carnivals you’d recommend to masqueraders? Oh my God. Don’t do that to me. Definitely Jamaica … I can’t name three. You have to at least give me five. Ok. Five. Ok, there’s Jamaica, there’s Antigua, there’s Crop Over (Barbados), there’s Vincy Carnival, and there’s Grenada Carnival. Those are the ones I’ve been to where I’ve gone to enjoy the J’Ouvert,
the Mas, the festivities, and actually taken part in. I’ve never been to Bahamas Carnival, it’s quite new, but from what I know, all reports were good. This year, I’m actually going for the Carnival. I’m gonna be there for the J’Ouvert, I’ll be there for everything! What advice would you give to first time masqueraders or to someone who wanted to come to Carnival, but didn’t have any friends to “jump” with? Well you don’t need friends for Carnival, you know, right? What you really need is to be safe. Having friends really keeps you safe because you always have someone watching your back. If you know people in Trinidad, or come to Trinidad by yourself, it’s pretty easy to make friends with other foreigners that come in. Trinidad is the type of place where everybody is festive around that time. Everybody wants to take care of you and everybody wants to go lime. And after a while, you hang out with a couple of people over and over and they become your friends, after about two limes. But it’s really about just staying safe and knowing your surroundings. On that note, what I would suggest is that you come a few days before because you meet people at the fetes. And it’s like, “Which fete you going to? Ok, me too. See you there.” And you exchange numbers and go lime. That’s our culture. That’s how we are. Why do you think the appeal of Carnival is so universal? Because Carnival time is a period where people release. Life is stressful, with the bills … People have so many issues and problems in their life. You get up in the morning, you get dressed, you go to work. You come back home, you take care of your family, you go to sleep because you’re tired. You get up in the morning and do it all over again. Then there are people with kids, and all their kids’ issues are their issues. Carnival time is a time where, you can just think about yourself for just a moment, you know, and just be free. And everyone’s gonna take it to the limit, but we’re not gonna condemn them for it because people enjoy themselves in different ways. It’s okay to go to a party and have more than “enough” drinks. Just relax and release and be “Lucy.” Just “wine” all that stress away. You’re not thinking about bills, not thinking about stress, not thinking “my car is gonna be repossessed tomorrow!” because “I’m having fun!” I have to ask you, you’re a beautiful, curvy woman, who is obviously very fit—your performances are high energy—how do you stay in shape? Well, I do a lot of cardio. I have a really great personal trainer, Stevenson Dillon. He’s been my trainer for the past 15 years. He’s seen this body through it all, from slim trim, to slim fit, to thick, to a little chubbier, to pregnant, to thick fit. When you gain weight, you have two options.
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Either you get back skinny, or you like yourself and just kind of mold that body. After I had my daughter, I did get back smaller. But I think my boobs were bigger and my butt was bigger— the typical woman that has kids—and I think I started to put a little bit on the middle, too. But I started to feel like, when you see people like Kim Kardashian, their ultimate idea of beauty is having a big bottom. And there are a lot of women who will pay for that. Pay for the boobs, pay for the butt. And I started to look at myself in the mirror and say, you know what? I have it naturally. It’s hereditary—I got it from my mama. Why am I trying to get skinny? I like looking healthy. I don’t like to diet. I love food! Everyone knows that I love to eat. From time to time, my trainer will ask me what I want to look like, and we’ll focus on different body parts. I really want to get that pinup girl vibe that I was seeing everybody gravitating towards without having surgery, so now we’re focused on abs. I have a 24 OCEAN Style
MaxiClimber in my living room, and when I get up and I’m watching TV, I’m on there for at least 20 minutes every day. Then my trainer works with me at least three days a week. He has me outside hiking, a little swimming. I’m doing abs … abs on the ball—all the abs [exercises] you can think of, I’m doing! Lastly, for a little inspiration, is there a resolution you made this year that you’ve been sticking with, for any of us who might need some encouragement? I did, you know. But I can’t remember. I guess that means I’m not sticking to them at all (laughs). Let me think … Well, every year, I promise myself a couple of things. One is that I will get closer to God because I know He loves me and that’s where I started. And with my parents being very religious, I know that I’m going to find my way back to where I began, so I always try to pray a little bit more. You know, I’m
not a person that would live in a church. I don’t go to church. But I pray every day. I try to make my home my sanctuary. I try to visit my parents often and my dad has a chapel in the house, so I do go there and pray a lot, especially when I feel lost or scared, I’d sit and find council with my dad, and he’ll strengthen me. So I always try to find my way back to God. I also promise every year that I’m going to do my best to be a good mother and make sure my daughter doesn’t need anything. And I’m not talking financial stuff, I’m talking when she NEEDS her mother. I try to always be there. Even when I’m not there, I’m there. She has full access to me, she can pick up the phone and call anytime she wants. We’re tight. We’re best friends. I hope that doesn’t change. She’s six right now. But as far as she’s concerned, she tells me, “Mummy, I love God first. Then I love myself. And then you.” And I say, awwww. And she says, “oh yeah, and Daddy, too!” oceanstylemagazine.com
The Zika virus is quickly spreading and so is the growing fear surrounding it. Currently found in more than 30 countries, countless people are susceptible to contracting it though mosquito bites and sexual transmission. Natural immunity remains low at this time and no vaccine is available to combat Zika, but there are major efforts underway to find preventatives and cures. Native to Africa, Aedes agypti mosquitoes, also known as yellow fever mosquitoes, are the carriers of the virus. Their reproductive cycle moves along rapidly and makes this class of mosquitoes a force to be reckoned with for health professionals who are trying to contain them and halt the spread of the virus. While the mosquitoes are not carrying the virus throughout the United States yet, it’s likely that they could in the coming future with the support of warm climates throughout the US and stagnant water sources that enable them to live and breed. The possibility of such a widespread onset of the Zika virus has motivated researchers to study the mosquitoes more closely in order to slow down their ability for reproduce, while the wishful thinking of some scientists is that these mosquitoes could be destroyed completely – a sentiment that is shared by much of the population. One method aimed at slowing the spread of the Zika virus is the scientific phenomenon of the “Robo-Frankenstein Mosquito”, a genetically altered male that is infertile and decreases the population of the Aedes agypti mosquito. So far, tests done in South America have shown this method to be at least 90% effective and hopes are high that more successful programs will soon be put into place. Pregnant women must be especially wary of the Zika virus since it can cause severe birth defects in newborns as it is easily passed from parent to child. There is a strong connection between the Zika virus and babies born with microcephaly, a disorder that causes the head to be abnormally small. The virus is linked to many complications in the growth of infants and can be fatal for oceanstylemagazine.com
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE ZIKA VIRUS BY PRINCELLA TALLEY
babies. It is also suspected that paralysis from Guillain-barre Syndrome (an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to malfunction and attack the nervous system) may be triggered by the Zika virus. Sharing similarities with Dengue fever and West Nile virus, the Zika virus has been announced as a public health emergency for a multitude of reasons. Along with having no vaccine or cure, it’s been estimated that around this time next year, up to 4 million people could be infected. Travelers have been bringing the virus back to their homelands unknowingly, and for some workers with an occupation in the travel industry, they are now being given the option to refuse visits to areas contaminated with the Zika virus. People around the world are being affected by the threat and onset of the Zika virus, and this is especially true for those who are local to the areas where Zika now runs rampant. At present, it’s found in many Caribbean and South American regions, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama, and Costa Rica. Symptoms of the Zika virus only show in 20% of infected people and include headaches, fever, and rashes. Luckily, the virus will clear up on its own within a week in most cases not involving pregnancy. In the event that the virus is contracted, men should only have protected sex for at least six months following infection and women should not get pregnant for at least 8 weeks after having Zika. The best ways to avoid the Zika virus is by limiting contact with mosquitoes and practicing safe sex. It is advised to stay in air conditioned, cool areas and to get rid of flower pots and vases with sitting water, as well as other items that hold on to stagnant water. When outdoors or traveling, use mosquito repellents that contain DEET and protect your skin with long-sleeved shirts and pants that are difficult for the mosquitos to penetrate.
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SUPPORTING THE MALALA FUND BY PRINCELLA TALLEY
More than 60 million girls in the world are uneducated, and the Malala Fund hopes to change this through its efforts to provide 12year education programs that are safe and open to girls across the globe. Now, you can spring clean for a cause by donating clothes to Schoola, which in turn raises money for the Malala Fund. Just recently, Schoola hit the $100,000 mark to assist the Malala Fund in supporting initiatives that educate and enrich the lives of young women. Along with the many individuals who have donated, major brands, including Modcloth, Gymboree, and Athleta have provided thousands of clothes to be sold on Schoola for 60% off with 40% of proceeds going to the Malala Fund. Such sizable donations have allowed Schoola. com shoppers to have access to a wide range of categories filled with eye-catching attire at more than fair prices. Trendy and designer pieces can be found on the website, where you can revamp your wardrobe as you make a difference by standing #withMalala. For those who may not be familiar with Malala, her story has served as the inspiration for books, including the bestselling I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban and the award-winning documentary film He Named Me Malala. Malala Yousafzai is not yet 20 years old, but she is already an activist whose presence has impacted the world. A native of Mingora, Pakistan, she is paving the way for girls who are denied the education that they deserve. Malala began to share her voice most notably through the BBC blogging network under an alias. Her identity was later exposed, and as a target of the Taliban for voicing her beliefs, she was placed in immediate danger. In 2012, she was attacked and shot on her way back from school. The shot was fatal, but Malala fought for her life and won. Despite all obstacles, she endures as a fighter for equal education, and in 2014, she became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. 26 OCEAN Style
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