New Category : Fashion

Bahamas receives world wide exposure from Sport Illustrated swimsuit cover

Bahamas receives world wide exposure from Sport Illustrated swimsuit cover

Thu, Mar 3rd 2016, 01:43 PM

The Bahamas continues to receive international publicity thanks to Sports Illustrated (SI) recent unveiling of the historic, multiplatform launch of its 2016 swimsuit calendars, which features three covers, with three cover models, one of which was shot in The Bahamas, earlier this year.

One of the three covers features model Ronda Rousey, seated in stunning turquoise waters in the Exumas. Taken at the Grand Isle Resort by famed photographer Frederic Pinet, Rousey’s perfectly body painted swimsuit, pays homage to The Bahamas’ vibrant and colorful cultural phenomenon, Junkanoo, which is reflected entirely throughout the magazine.

The other two covers features models Hailey Clauson and Ashley Graham and were photographed in different destinations.

“The unparalleled beauty of The Bahamas inclusive of its near perfect year-round weather, breath taking aquamarine waters and unspoiled charm makes The Bahamas the perfect backdrop for any photo-shoot and a swimsuit photo shoot by Sports Illustrated makes for a perfect marriage,” said Joy Jibrilu, Director General for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT).

“Sports Illustrated has featured The Islands of The Bahamas in several of its photo and video shoots in the past and we are thrilled that they have selected to feature our destination on this historic cover issue,” she said.

The 2016 calendars which were launched in mid-February across print, digital (www.si.com/swimsuit), mobile apps and during a first of its kind broadcast special on TNT, marked the first time in Sports Illustrated 52 years of existence, that the company produced multiple covers. The special editions, which reached more than seventy million US adults, more 18-34 year old men than the Super Bowl, are also available on newsstands, SI Swimsuit apps, on tablets and to its 4,755,979 subscribers.

Sports Illustrated also honored its tradition of innovation and presented a suite of virtual reality experiences taking viewers inside the iconic photo shoots of some of the world’s top models in some of the most exotic locations on the planet. The unprecedented three individual covers, also features ‘beautiful’ women of all shapes and sizes, representing the times of change and that when it comes to beauty, one size does not fit all philosophy.

Other models photographed in the issues include Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge, Hannah Davis, Gigi Hadid, Irina Shayk, Chrissy Teigen and Lindsey Vonn.

Executives of Sports Illustrated are currently working with the BMOT on plans for future film and photo shoot projects in its multi-destination chain.

About The Islands Of The Bahamas
The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone, from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exuma Islands, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world’s best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It’s Better in The Bahamas. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Marketing push begins for Junkanoo Carnival

Marketing push begins for Junkanoo Carnival

Mon, Feb 22nd 2016, 01:22 PM

Free National Movement’s (FNM) deputy leader has warned that next year’s Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will be another “big party but economic failure”, unless the organising committee gets an “urgent jump start”.

K. Peter Turnquest told Tribune Business: “After an almost $6 million net loss from last year’s carnival, partly due to lack of proper planning and financial control, it is unthinkable that the Government and the organising committee would even contemplate taking on this massive undertaking again without proper planning, clear financial goals and controls, structure and organisation.

“This can be nothing more that pure negligence and callous disregard for the Public Treasury and hard-earned taxpayer dollars, and portends of another fiscal failure.”

Mr. Turnquest was speaking after Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) chairman, Paul Major, admitted last week that it had yet to begin planning for May’s event.

“It seems to me that, in the absence of an urgent jump start to the organising committee’s activates, we will be writing the story of another big party but economic failure,” said the east Grand Bahama MP. “All of this is against the backdrop of the Government’s failure to provide any substantial increased subvention to the Junkanoo groups in comparison to the funding wasted on last year’s Carnival.

“ You will recall that as a reaction to the criticism over the funding allocated to Carnival versus Junkanoo, the Government promised a substantial increase in support to the various groups. We now know this is approximately $30,000. However, one wonders how much was contributed to each Carnival group as a comparison,” he added.

“Further, it has been reported that Junkanoo ticket sales have been less than stellar for both parades. This is unusual and raises the question as to whether patrons are fatigued, tapped out financially or whether interest has moved on given the party Carnival offered.”

The Commission faced strong criticism last year for going over-budget and a lack of proper planning. Following its $11.3 million investment in the festivities, the Government reaped $8.3 million in combined direct and tax revenues, with the latter providing $6.7 million of that sum.

The direct revenue, which totalled $1.6 million, largely came from ticket sales and cash sponsorships, according to Mr. Major. The Commission concluded that the total direct economic activity generated by Carnival was about $19 million, including $5.5 million in Grand Bahama.

Mr. Major said back in July that the Commission had expected to begin its international marketing campaign for next year’s event by early fall 2015, with the low ratio of foreign to local participants at the inaugural event due to a late promotional push.

By NATARIO McKENZIE

CLARIFICATION: Junkanoo nymphe

CLARIFICATION: Junkanoo nymphe

Mon, Feb 8th 2016, 06:00 AM

WE have been asked to make clear that the Junkanoo Nymphe costume, which was featured in the Tough Call column on February 3 about acclaimed Bahamian body-painting artist Monty Knowles, was a collaborative creative effort by a team led by Elizabeth P Clarke.

Those involved in the design and craft work were Ms. Clarke, Dot Miller, Belora Glinton, Rochelle Wilson Knowles, Cheryl and Senovia Mullings, Victor “Juju” Johnson, Tony Colebrooke, Troy Nixon, Tara Miller, Valentino Lloyd and Terrell Carey.

Bahamas wedding supplies featured at MOT's Signature Bridal Show in Atlanta, Georgia

Bahamas wedding supplies featured at MOT's Signature Bridal Show in Atlanta, Georgia

Wed, Nov 18th 2015, 05:14 PM

Several destination wedding and honeymoon suppliers from the Islands of The Bahamas were featured during the Ministry of Tourism’s (MOT) launched of its new Romance Circuit Signature Bridal Show, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Freda Malcolm, Director of Romance, at the MOT said “because of The Bahamas’ unparalleled diversity of its multi islands chain, and its romantic and natural beauty, The Bahamas has become of the most sought after destinations for weddings and honeymoons in the Caribbean.

“Destination Weddings in particular have been increasing over the past few years and The MOT’s romance team endeavors to attract these lovebirds to our shores - whether it is a beach, garden, historical monument, themed or church wedding - our aim is to set couples’ weddings and romance experiences apart from any other type of travel making it a once in a life-time occasion,” she said.

“The MOT is setting a new trend in how we interact with engaged couples desirous of having either a destination wedding or honeymoon in The Islands of The Bahamas,” she said. “With so many islands to choose from, our romance team launched today, it's first ever Romance Circuit - Signature Bridal Shows, in Atlanta, Georgia and the remaining shows will take place in eleven cities throughout the United States.”

The exclusive Bahamas Signature Bridal Show held at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia on November 15, was an intimate and festive affair, which gave newly engaged couples residing in Georgia, an opportunity to personally meet with top Bahamian suppliers and simultaneously, experience the diverse culture of The Bahamas.

Among the featured events were a Junkanoo rush out, delicious refreshments, a fashion show as well as several Bahamian exhibitors who each, provided the couples with a $250 credit toward their respective bridal service including: James Whitehead and Victoria Sarne JW Events and Nassau Florist, Hollis Cosmetics & Spa, Lorenzo McKenzie Photography and Videography Services, Chevette Williams Jewelry Designs, Kendra Beneby of Thatch Collection, and Abaco Beach Resort.

Bahamian fashion designer, Kendra Beneby provided the exclusive resort wear for the fashion show.

“My pieces represent an easy going yet luxurious side of island living,” she said. Kendra of Thatch Collection is about making wearable yet fashion forward pieces that will work for every woman. I not only cater to everyday wear, but bridal wears as well. This opportunity has allowed me to showcase my clothing line to a broader spectrum of people and definitely assist in making Thatch Collection a household name,” she said.

Jewelry designer Chevette Williams said she “was thrilled to work with the MOT on this initiative which provided me with an opportunity to showcase and expose my one-of-a- kind, custom made designs internationally”.

“I work with brides to provide elegant, sophisticated and standout pieces that are customized and made to compliment their dress and unique style. The majority of my work incorporates natural products such as the conch shell, sea-glass, driftwood and sand-dollar (to name a few) infused with beautiful Swarovski crystals, which give each piece a classy, high-end feel yet with an authentic, handmade, island flare. A bride wants to standout and be memorable on her wedding day, my pieces are designed to help her do just that,” she said.

Veteran photographer and videographer, Lorenzo McKenzie exhibited his professional high-quality digital photography services, including his coffee table albums and canvas enlargements as well as high definition video recording and editing.

We have captured hundreds of destination weddings in The Bahamas over the past twenty years and we are just happy to showcase our professionally produced photography and videography services to the US market,” he said.

Hollis Roberts, Co-owner of Hollis Cosmetics and Spa said “the new venture was most timely for us as it provided us an opportunity to not only showcase our diverse spa services and unique make-up line, Hollis Cosmetics, but also widen our exposure internationally, especially as we expand our offices to include Nassau and February Point in Exuma”.

“Our full beauty service ranges from facials, to waxing, nail and hair care, make up and full line massages for the bride and the groom,” she said.

Brent Ingraham, Sales and Marketing Director, for the Abaco Beach Resort said, “partnering with the MOT on this Signature Bridal Show was not just good for the country, it’s also good for us. After visiting our booth, the resort team is confident that couples looking for something unique and different are sure to fall in love all over again - only this time with us. Our anything but ordinary wedding packages take the hassle out of planning and when requested, our wedding planner also works with the bride and groom to customize special details”.

As a participant in the Signature Bridal Show, each registered couple were given an opportunity to win a 4 days-3 nights stay at the forty acres Abaco Beach Resort, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Ashley Powell and Jason Little who plan to marry on July 16, 2016, won the prize and said they were shocked and excited about the news of the trip and looked forward to experiencing the crystal clear waters of The Bahamas.

In addition to the Bahamian wedding suppliers that exhibited, the MOT also partnered with Delta Airlines, who provided a complimentary round-trip airfare to The Bahamas from Atlanta for one lucky couple and David’s Bridal, who provided several destination wedding dresses from its 2015/2016 collection for display.

Other partners in the Signature Bridal Show promotion are: The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, Old Bahama Bay, Pelican Bay and Resorts World Bimini.

The MOT’s Signature Bridal Shows are scheduled to take place in ten other key markets across the United States including Florida (West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando) in January 2016; Texas (Houston and Dallas) in February 2016; Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC in April; and Boston and New York in June.

About The Islands Of The Bahamas
The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exuma Islands, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world’s best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It’s Better in The Bahamas. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.


Lucky winners of the 4 days/3 nights stay at Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, from left to right are: Brent Ingraham, Director of Sales, Abaco Beach Resort, couple Ashley Powell (bride) and Jason Little (groom) and Freda Malcolm, Director of Romance, MOT.


MOT’s team members alongside Bahamian exhibitors who participated in the MOT’s Signature Bridal Show in Atlanta, Georgia from left to right are (back row) Kendea Smith, MOT; Phillip Mackey, Hollis Cosmetics & Spa; Brent Ingraham, Abaco Beach Resort; James Whitehead, JW Events & Nassau Florist; Lorenzo McKenzie, Earnestine Moxyz, MOT; (seated) Cecile Torrence, MOT; Kendra Beneby, Thatch Collection; Hollis Roberts, Hollis Cosmetics & Spa; Victoria Sarne, JW Events & Nassau Florist; and Freda Malcolm, Director of Romance, MOT.


Bahamian fashion designer, Kendra Beneby (center) owner of Thatch Collection, provided exclusive resort wear for the fashion show, along with her models.


Bahamian jewelry designer, Chevette Williams, provided one-of-a-kind jewelry during the launch of the MOT’s Signature Bridal Show in Atlanta, Georgia.


Exhibitors James Whitehead and Victoria Sarne of JW Events and Nassau Florists.


Exhibitor Lorenzo McKenzie provided photography and videography services for the Signature Bridal Show event in Atlanta, Georgia.


Hollis Cosmetics & Spa exclusive make up line on display at MOT’s Signature Bridal Show in Atlanta, Georgia.


One of several dresses on displays provided by David’s Bridal during the MOT’s Signature Bridal Show in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photos: Courtesy of Gianne Demeritte