It was easily one of the most anticipated events out west. Katrin Casserly is known and celebrated as a woman of fine style and impeccable fashion, so when news hit the social avenues and boulevards that she would be assuming proprietorship of the trés chic Gift Shop and Boutique at Round Hill Hotel and Villas near Montego Bay, fab society was in one accord in its endorsement of the move!

Round Hill is not only a fabulous resort of international renown, it is also a beacon of fabness and style in its own right. And so, nothing less than the touch and élan of Casserly would be appropriate for such a celebrated resort and its international A-list clientele! So for its official rebranding and reopening, hosted in mid-December, the event was akin to a gala that saw leading social luminaries and dignitaries in attendance. The newly opened boutique introduced a new concept of shopping, based on a European-style experience, focusing on personalised service!

Partnership

Casserly and hubby, MIT mogul Patrick Casserly, partnered with fashion designer and style maven Pat Wright to secure and offer the very best in Jamaican and Caribbean designs and other keepsakes to make the boutique experience a unique one, befitting its discerning clientele, drawn from both national and international guests. To this end, the boutique features many exclusive lines from its cadre of leading designers, boasting a stunning collection of contemporary clothing and eclectic gifts that will serve to augment the Round Hill experience, as well as titillate the senses of clients.

And titillate it did, as guests from Montego Bay, Kingston, Ocho Rios and Negril joined the hosts and a slew of international in-house guests for the opening. Among the many and exclusive offerings are the designs of Wright, making her comeback after a five-year absence, with her celebrated Wright Style line. The designs of Sandra Kennedy are also on offer, as well as works and collectibles from Stefan Prohaska of the West Indian Art Gallery and potter David Pinto, all of whom were on hand for the opening. There were also offerings from Margaret McGhie, Wassi Art and Harmony Hall. There is also a lovely range of Jamaican bath products from Starfish Oils; Donna Patricia Aromatherapy by David Thomas; and Jamaican Spices and Herbs, complemented by a collection of handmade aromatherapy candles.

But it was the fab Marika Kessler of Royal Hut and Island Outpost who proved the unwitting muse and model of the evening, looking as stunning as ever, in a flowing long silk dress, by designer Mutamba. Acquired in the boutique just before the party, the ensemble was dubbed a must-have and had guests raving, as they too perused the collections in search of Mutamba designs. And then there was the exquisite shell and coral jewellery collection by Helga Wagner of Palm Beach, Florida, and the collection of chapeaux was definitely haute style statement!

Dream come true

"It is a great pleasure and dream come true to bring our concept of a destination shop to Round Hill, one of the most stylish resorts in the world," said Mrs Casserly, delighted with the end product on display. The boutique and pineapple logo section boasts everything from souvenirs to Christmas cards, birthday and other special occasion presents, with the majority of items handcrafted or sourced from across the island.

It was one very hot social outing with Montego Bay's leading citizenry and others in attendance, headed by the esteemed Tony and Sheila Hart; Winston and Denise Dear; Godfrey and Odette Dyer; Valerie Marzouca and son, Matthew; Lennox and Violet Lewis; Mark and Paula Kerr-Jarrett; William and Candace Craig; Mark and Candace Hart; David and Sheila Pinto; Brian and Shelagh Jardim; Ian and Kathy Dear; Shelagh Routh; the fabulous Ann Chen; Frank Peroli and Kathy-Ann Dear; David Holland and wife, Fenella Kennedy-Holland; the stunning Cecile Levee; Peter Pearson; Angela Whitter; Gianpedro and Nancy Maffessanti; Dr Charles and Jeannette Eyles; Denny and Veena Chandiram; Phillip Lindo; Margaret Jones; Dr Tracy Gilbert; the lovely Hope Markes; Richard and Jackie Hamilton; Clive and Joan Lee; the very charming first lady of tourism, Norma Taylor; the affable Donahue Jarrett; Sue Williams; Sunil and Sheela Khitani; Gloria Henry; Adam Miller and Marika Kessler; the lovely Traci-Ann Scott; John Kearney and Christine Gayle; Judy Farmer; John and Paola Byles; Israel and Nancy Pinchas; Sasha and Paulette Hossman; Carmen Franzyck; Rajesh and Neha Kripalani; Ray and Anne Therrien; and fashion director and editor of www.Style.com, Candy Price and her husband, Chuck, who jetted in from New York for the occasion as special guests.

Information for this piece was provided by Catherine MacGillivary.

Photos by Sheena Gayle
Inside Round Hill Gift Shop and Boutique.

(From left) Ann Chen, Jacqui Bird, Esther Williams and Yvonne Hayles enjoy the ambience of Round Hill Gift Shop and Boutique during its official opening.

Sheila Hart (left) and friend Suzanne McManus (centre) of Breezes Resorts celebrate with Katrin Casserly on her successful opening of Round Hill Gift Shop and Boutique on the property of Round Hill Hotel and Villas during an elegant cocktail party on Wednesday, December 16.

Sandra Kennedy models this beautiful blue hand-made necklace by Helga Wagner that is offered exclusively at Round Hill Gift Shop and Boutique.

Bryan Bellack and Jaclyn Rubenstein could not resist the opportunity to show their affection.