RIHANNA
minister responsible for Culture
and Information Communications
Technology (ICT) from
2008-2012, told Caribbean Life
in an exclusive interview.
“We appreciate that the
Diaspora is our first market,
and we will aggressively promote
Spicemas in the Diaspora
and encourage Grenadian,
Caribbean and people from all
nationalities to come join us
for carnival,” added Gill, who
also served as Grenada’s representative
on the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization’s (UNESCO)
Commission on Intangible Cultural
Heritage.
Gill, who currently serves as
Grenada’s Ambassador to the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
said he will liaise with
different Grenadian groups and
individuals in his new role.
But he added that he has
“always had a fruitful relationship”
with renowned Brooklynbased,
Grenadian entertainment
promoter Derek Ventour,
and “will rely on him heavily
for his advice and guidance.”
“I expect Grenadians to participate
in the carnival and to
come home by the thousands
to enjoy the mas with us,” said
Gill, who served as a magistrate
in Dominica from 2013-2018.
“It is important to reach out
to the Diaspora, because that is
our first market for Spicemas
and our cultural practitioners
who ply their trade outside
of the carnival season,”
he stressed. “Thus, it is important
economically, but it is also
important for the preservation
and promotion of our culture.”
Gill said he accepted his new
position, on or about Nov. 16,
because he believes that, as the
main architect of the Spicemas
Corporation — which was
incorporated in 2011, when
he was Minister responsible
for Culture – he can help in
making the corporation “realize
its potential and assist in
developing Grenada’s carnival
product.
“The ultimate objective is to
deliver a world class carnival,”
said Gill, who is also a judge in
the National Calypso Competition
in Spicemas.
“To achieve that, the individual
Caribbean Life, D 30 ecember 10-16, 2021
stakeholder product
must be developed,” added the
published writer, and frequent
commentator on contemporary
cultural, political, legal
and social issues.
“That means that the songs
produced, the costumes paraded
and the quality of the steel
band music must be of a high
standard,” he continued. “In
addition, we must have high
quality production of carnival
events. In short, the goal is to
transform Grenada’s carnival.”
send a heartfelt congratulation
to the Bajan singer via his
IG page. Rihanna was recently
named a national hero in Barbados.
“I am happy that our Caribbean
Queen Rihanna was honored
by Billboard Magazine as
one of the Top 10 artists of all
times on their Top 100 Artist
Chart,” Stephens posted.
The “Take Me Away” singer
has good reason to celebrate
Rihanna’s historic achievement.
Her single “Work,”
which was the lead single on
her 2016 GRAMMY-nominated
album, “Anti”, sampled
Stephens’ “Sail Away” riddim,
which earned him a Pop
award at the ASCAP Pop Music
Awards in Hollywood in 2017
and an R&B award at the 30th
annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul
(R&B) Music Awards in Beverly
Hills, CA.
In London, Stephens
received the award for “Song of
the Year” and “Digital Sales of
the Year” by ASCAP for his contribution
to “Work”, which was
among the top ASCAP songs
on the 2016 year-end charts.
“Riri is an exceptional talent,”
said Stephens, referring
to Rihanna. “I am forever
indebted to her for the four
ASCAP international awards I
received in 2017.”
“Work” is one of 14 number
one songs, including “Umbrella”,
“Love The Way You Lie”,
“SOS”, “Take A Bow” and “’Diamonds”
by the pop superstar
to have graced the Top 100
Billboard Chart in the 63 years
that the charts have been compiled.
Rihanna has also had 31
Top 10hit songs. The 33-yearold
music superstar has quietly
become a legitimate business
mogul since launching her
brand Fenty Beauty.
In August, she achieved
billionaire status once again,
making her the richest musician
Rihanna poses for a photo at
Golden Square Freedom Park after
becoming Barbados 11th National
Hero.. Associated Press/David
McD Crichlow
in the world, with an estimated
net worth of US$ 1.7
billion – second only to Oprah
as the wealthiest female entertainer
– according to Forbes
Magazine.
Continued from Page 29
Continued from Page 29
pany, I teach women the importance
of modest fashion. I offer
and promote biblical teachings
and morals throughout our
marketing and social media
campaigns.”
She told Caribbean Life,
that her designs are innovative,
which are aesthetically pleasing
to customers and followers of
the brand.
Lambkin, who credits Jesus
as her biggest inspiration, constantly
creates looks that are
pleasing in his sight.
“Whatever I design, models
who he is, which is modest. I
always try to make sure as a
Christian I embody my faith in
what I design for women. Also
being that God is the creator of
all, means that I shouldn’t limit
my creations, but to always be
innovative while thinking outside
the box,” said the self-effacing
couturier.
A graduate of the Fashion
Institute of Technology (FIT),
NYC, Lambkin said she loves
dressing differently from other
people. “I will say my style is
unique, trendy, innovative and
sophisticated all in one.”
“I found out that I have a
creative side, since the age of
3,” she said. Lambkin said she
pencil-sketched the cover of
her “Little Mermaid” storybook
without tracing the artwork.
“The drawing was pretty
impressive,” the designer said,
giving herself a pat on the back
for her first creation at age 16.
The design was showcased at
the Caribbean American Day
Carnival Parade in Brooklyn.
For this, it can safely be said,
Lambkin’s creative juices were
flowing, because the piece was
done by hand, and completed in
one day, in the absence of a sewing
machine at the time.
Her ingenuity helped her
work to blossom into a thriving,
successful career in fashion,
since one of her major pieces
was worn by the famous, Yandy
Smith, CEO of Yelle Skincare,
who was gifted the brand’s Tashee
Warrior Tee-Shirt in 2019.
Lambkin said Brandice Daniel,
the founder of Harlem Fashion
Row, also wore her company’s
Armor Tulip Jumpsuit
on stage at the 2019 Essence
Festival.
Like so many others, Tashee
Inc., felt a pinch from the coronavirus
pandemic, she said, the
company had recently launched
its Spring/Summer 2020 collection,
but just after “our preorder
window opened, the pandemic
hit which affected our
sales.”
“Our factory closed so we
were not able to produce any
clothing. As a result, we had to
pivot our business and sell face
masks,” she explained, noting
that the company is back in full
operation and the brand, is no
longer selling face masks.
They have returned to selling
its humble clothing, she
said that showcases her creative
talent.
According to the Christian
fashionista, as far as fashion go,
she knew she had a creative
side in the field from since age,
15. Adding, that she started by
drawing outfits that suited her
taste in fashion, that were very
innovative and trendy, to wear
for the first day of school, a talent
that continues in our successful,
Tashee Inc. collection
of clothing.
Continued from Page 29
Singer Richie Stephens. Richie Stephens
New Spicemas chairman Brooklyn faith-based lifestyle designer
Founder, CEO of faith-based
lifestyle brand Tashee Inc.,
Natashia Lambkin.Photo by
Tangerine Clarke