Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Cindy Breakspeare

My dears, with her beau, the political hot-wire, Dr. D.K. Duncan, having secured his win (challenges to come and all), the champagne that was chilled for days has now been consumed in celebration, as last Thursday, the iconically elegant Beverley Anderson-Manley celebrated her birthday in the muted style she has made her forte since opting to leave the 'official' arena. But my dears, there was no shortage of well-wishers and friends to toast the grande dame of morning radio. And so it was that with her beau by her side, and her staff making sure it was all that, the first lady of morning radio kicked off her daylong celebration with a fab mimosa morning, and continued way into the night, when it became all the more intimate, with a very short list of immediate family and friends on hand to toast the occasion!

Also celebrating his birthday last Thursday was young Master Brandon Benjamin, the son of Kenny Benjamin and his companion, the lovely Alioma Suarez. Not yet old enough to imbibe champagne, there will be plenty on hand on the weekend, when family and friends gather for the post-birthday celebrations.

The following day, however, it was all about restaurateur Rajiv Bakshi of Akbar of Thai Gardens and Peppers fame, but he will be the toast of the chic and the fab, as he celebrates his birthday, smack in the middle of the Diwali celebrations.

Cindy Breakspeare celebrates

Bobby Chen (left) and Madge Barrett (right)

Former Miss World Cindy Breakspeare celebrated her special day on October 23, but her celebrations followed two days later, with Susanne Couch cooking up a gourmet storm for a shortlist of friends and family members who attended the post-birthday celebratory shindig.

On October 25, it was Dr. Bobby Chen's turn to celebrate. Mind you, the medical doctor-now-retail merchandiser opted for a quiet do, the big thing to come on the occasion of his next milestone.

Celebrating on Sunday, November 4, was actor, comedian, marketing executive and real-life comic, Oliver Samuels. No word on how the affable Mr. Samuels actually celebrated, but it was guaranteed to be a laugh-fest, and then some.

Also celebrating on that day was Trade Administrator Claude Fletcher. The word is expect the party sometime in the future.

And a very special greeting to style doyenne and protocol czarina, Her Excellency Ambassador Madge Barrett, who celebrated her birthday yesterday!

And many happy returns to former head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Gerd Jarchow, who will celebrate his birthday this Sunday.

No honour in his country

Oliver Samuels (left) and Beverley Anderson-Manley (right)

Then, it is often said that a king has no honour in his country, but honour, my dears, is really quite quantifiable!

Now, if you were to take the creative and illustrious Brian Rosen as an example, one could easily be misled into thinking that this king of contemporary photography has not been given the public adoration that could be mistaken for honour. But, if one were to step away from this yardstick and examine Rosen's accomplishments from behind his lens, his would be a catalogue to rival any photographic artist in the international arena.

Brian Rosen has been Jamaica's foremost artistic and glamour photographer for more than three decades and counting. His portraits and studies of the female form not only grace the walls of many a society mansion and lesser dwellings, but they have become collectibles for the truly avant garde, not to mention those with that discriminating sense of and appreciation for the female nude form.

Classic work

Birthday boy Brandon Benjamin is the centre of attention as his mother, Aloima Suarez, and guests sing him happy birthday at his third birthday party last Sunday, held at Guardsman Group headquarters on Old Hope Road. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Over the years, Rosen has done more than his fair share of commercial photo shoots, his lens capturing many of Jamaica's most famous natural beauty, fauna and wildlife, that have been reproduced for magazines, brochures and advertorials. Not to mention his classic work in photographing some of this island's leading resorts for the international market. But over the years, it has been made abundantly clear that when it comes to photography, Brian Rosen's first love, as a subject, is the female anatomy.

He has published three photographic coffee-table tomes under the titles of Jamaica, Beach Bums and Women of the Caribbean, all to critical acclaim, for their individual scope and narrative composition, detailing as they do, the picturesque Jamaican landscape in the first; the flirtatious sensuality of the beach-going, sun-worshiping culture in the second, and the absolute beauty of the women of the Caribbean - be they black, white, mousse or simply mocha, in the third.

And so, with his formidable portfolio to commend him, in recent years, the demand for his celebrated lens has been on the increase - to shoot not only glamorous women, but subjects such as architecture, art and craft, interiors, food and beverage, sports, weddings, fashion, backdrops and textures, plus a number of other subjects.

Rosen's website

Well, to showcase his expanded portfolio, as well as to provide the interested with as comprehensive a look as possible into his craft and services, the celebrated photographer just recently launched into the e-world, with the launch of his website www.brianrosen.com, and luvs, the site is worth a-browsing!

Designed by the photographer himself and graphic artist Ray Saunders, the website is not only a showpiece, it is also a master showcase of Rosen's boundless talent, providing a window into the world of the man and his art, thus, making for a very engaging experience.

And so, three decades later, three coffee-table tomes and countless thousands of photographs to his credit, with a client list that has included The Bahamas, St. Lucia, The Dominican Republic, Curaçao, the SuperClubs and Sandals chain of fine resorts, Half Moon, Tryall Club, The Jamaica Pegasus, the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, Shaw Park, the Guardsman Group, Air Jamaica, Ting and Red Stripe, Brian Rosen is to be numbered among the greats, a feat he has achieved, through his diligence and application. We await his 30th anniversary exhibition.