Wyclef, Rupee, and Island People et al for Antilia/Carnival 08!

Need we say more?

For the second year running, Antilia, the Manhattan-based event management and promotion team is bringing the flair and heat of Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival to the New York social scene and this time, they're taking things up a notch.

Dropping names like ex Fugee Wyclef Jean, Bajan star Rupee, Trini hotties Kes & Ms T&T Anya Ayoung-Chee, and even Extra T.V. host A.J. Calloway, the event kicks off at 8pm (doors open at 7pm) at the Prince George Ballroom in the West Village, NYC. Thank God for that location move; for one its much closer to me and will be undoubtedly better than trekking across to the desolate w27th area for the Cain nightclub...

Last year, the event exclusively showcased the costumes of Island People, but this time Founder Simon Khan, Andrea and the Antilia team will also show designs from Elements Carnival and my band, Spice! I recommend this as a "must attend" - it's also all inclusive with cutters and premium drinks. If anything, you will enjoy the ambiance and the vibe - brace yourself for true true wining, jamming and a general 'break-away' time!

For tickets and additional info, click here.

L.M.N. Harris

Caribbean Ms Universe 08 Beauties... All in a row

I am going to toot our own damn horn to say that our Caribbean women are some of the most gorgeous the world over! Just look at this year's regional representatives for the Miss Universe 2008 competition, set for July 14th in Thailand.

As a Trini, I must put it out there: our delegate Anya Ayoung-Chee is definitely shining brightly! Initially, I just thought it was quaint and nice that we had finally chosen a Trinidadian of Asian/Mixed parentage to represent our nation, but she's really a stunner.

As for the other islands - I can't choose a favourite - they're all fantastic. Not being fully immersed in the mix on each of these delegates' islands, I'll refrain from giving my opinion on their selection, etc. So you take a look and let me know if any of our gorgeous gals can take the crown.

L.M.N. Harris.

Fashion Week T&T: The Post Mortem.

So, this page has been idle for a bit, due to some impromptu travel plans I've had within the past few months. But I'm fully back, and armed with the promised pics from the May 29th conclusion of Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago!

Amongst the designers who showed their works were my always favourite Meiling, Millhouse, Claudia Pegus, Kaj Designs, Francis Hendy, Ecliff Elie, Zadd & Eastman (Fantastic Showing!!!) and others.

Unfortunately, I only attended the final night and expected a grand finale - a big Ta Da - but the night was poorly organizedand the fashions that were shown were not accompanied by some sort of tag or sign that indicated who designed what...

I mean, from my front row vantage point, I witnessed a flummoxed Peter Elias audibly shooing people/models/some folks across the front ramp area, whilst the actual show was going on! At the start of the showing, a jarring hip hop tune blasted out in the middle of the National Anthem, and the lights were dimmed at least twice on models as they walked the runway!

So beyond the fact that the colourful cotton dresses on Ms. T&T/Universe Anya Ayoung-Chee & Top model Raeanne Vialva were done by Meiling, the FANTASTIC and colourful strip-styled pieces were by Zadd & Eastman, and that the fierce animal printed pieces were by Kaj Designs, I can't say who did what! If by chance you know who the designers are, feel free to let me know, comment or drop me a line at aucourantinthecaribbean@gmail.com

Nonetheless, enjoy!

L.M.N. Harris

Anya Ayoung Chee - She's Off!

And I'm back! After a bit of a hiatus, I'm back in the blogosphere, bringing you the latest in Caribbean Fashion and Life/Style - a la 'Au Courant in the Caribbean' mode.

So we've been tracking Ms. T&T/Universe 2008/09 Anya Ayoung-Chee from her pageant selection earlier on this year, to her appearance on the ramp at the recently concluded Fashion Week T&T, (I'll have some belated pics of the finale for you by tomorrow) and now to her departure to Vietnam for the 57th Miss Universe Competition.

On a side note, every time I think about Ayoung-Chee being a 'Callalloo Trini' - as Fashion Scion Peter Elias recently described her - I can't help but think that the selection of an Asian looking Ms. T&T was a strategic choice, keeping in mind where the pageant is being held this year! All in all, she's proven to be quite the classy chick, in terms of her style and demeanor, and I give her hats off for proudly sporting that big ol' tattoo on her abdomen...

Looking absolutely fantastic as a jaunty modern-day sailor, here she is posing in a Newsday TT photo with her national costume designer, the ever talented, 'I'm not trying to be Minshall' carnival band leader, Brian MacFarlane. I'm crossing my fingers for her, hoping that her class extends far beyond her appearance and would give her the edge with those gnarly Q&A's.

On behalf of all the subscribers and readers here at AuC, I wish Anya all the best!

L.M.N. Harris.

Miss TnT 2008 Winners are in!

So the new pageant representatives were chosen by the judges tonight, with Gabrielle Walcott & Anya Ayong Chee emerging as Miss T&T/World and Miss T&T Universe respectively. Unfortunately, I can't say much about the actual pagent or the winners, because PC troubles kept me off the weblink till the point when the last contestant was doing a clumsy job of answering the final question. Anya was my pick from the start - the start for me being a few days ago, when I happened upon http://www.ctntworld.com/ and saw the delegates for this year's competition - and only because I found it quaint that she was a bit Asian. Gabrielle, who's also the winner of the People's Choice Award, was clearly the crowd favourite and did look quite good. The only thing that managed to annoy me in the few minutes I watched the stream, was the host and pageant company (Peter Elias and Company) rep Adrian Raymond, waxing warm about all sorts of behind-the-scenes memories and moments involving the girls. One or two comments for flavour is always welcomed, but too much is too much, right? All in all, the inclusion of CNMG into the pageant equation has seemed to work out for Elias & co., and the standard of the show did appear to be much higher this year, albeit very intimate and pared down. I wish Gabrielle and Anyna all the best with their respective competitions, and I'm looking forward to what's next for the girls as they go on to represent Trinidad & Tobago internationally...

L.M.N. Harris