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High Tea and dressing for success

Published:Sunday | May 8, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Founder of Dress For Success Jamaica, Charmaine Lewis (second right), and member Beverley Moses (right) rap with Juliet Wright (left) of the British High Commission and Gill Drake, patron of Dress For Success Jamaica.
Joanne Glover (left) and United States Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater enjoying a conversation at the Dress For Success Jamaica British High Tea.
Enjoying some of the lovely treats (and of course the tea) are (from left) Jeanne Watson, Kathy Subratie, Peggy Blades and Susan Scott.
Digicel duo Trisha Thompson (left) and Terry-Ann Gray chat over tea.
Dress for Success Jamaica member Yulit Gordon (standing) hangs out with guests (from left) Paula Chen See, Celia Davidson Francis, Marie Josephs, Sophia Shirley-Rizza, Jacqui Chung, Sharon Yap-Chung and Terry-Ann Gillett-Chambers. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Natasha Ballentine
Tasha Barnett
Gal pals (from left) Samantha Matterdeen, Natalie Crooks and Ally Stirling smile for the camera at the Dress For Success Jamaica British High Tea and Fashion Show, held at Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, Waterloo Road, on Thursday, April 28.
Talcia James
Natasha Ballentine
Marsha Allen
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Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

The obvious question for the day was "Would you care for some tea?"

That's how it was on Thursday, April 28, at the Terra Nova. But this tea was special as it was hosted by Dress For Success Jamaica. The organisation promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing 'the three Cs'': clothing, confidence and career development "so that they can thrive not only in their work, but in their life and, by extension, their communities," said founder, Charmaine Lewis.

And since this was about women, what better way to host your first fund-raiser than with an exquisite tea party? Of course, nobody does tea like the British. So it was a traditional British High Tea, complete with all the scrumptious sweets and treats for an afternoon event. Twinings Teas, appropriately from London (distributed by Facey Commodity locally), was the tea partner of the event showcasing its various flavours, including the popular English Breakfast and the quintessential Earl Grey.

Apart from the tinkling of silverware and in-between sips of refreshing, aromatic teas (with a quartet providing soft classical music), there was also a fashion show, featuring Dress For Success clients as the models and suits donated during last December's 100 suits for Christmas drive which The Gleaner's Lifestyle Editor Barbara Ellington spearheaded on Dress For Success' behalf. None of the 'models' had any experience but Jacqui Tyson took care of any inefficiencies offering up a crash course.

Angels recognised

Dress For Success executive member Yulit Gordon also presented certificates of appreciation to 'angels' of the organisation, who have helped. Angela Neita of Angela's Boutique, Tyson and Ellington were all lauded for their support to the organisation's success to date.

Dress For Success is an international non-profit organisation started in Spanish Harlem, New York, in 1996, and is now established in 110 cities worldwide. All the women served in the local chapter, ranging from age 18 to 60, are single mothers and are below the poverty level. Lewis also encouraged corporate Jamaica representatives present to donate office space, cash or suits; sponsor events or volunteer as personal shoppers (help the clients pick out their clothes for their job interviews) or as mentors.

Goodie baskets and gift certificates were later won after a hilarious trivia contest.

daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com