Entertainment
Family Counts No Matter How Busy You Are, Says Sally
Sally Maloney shares a funny story about her granddaughter Skylar as she prepares for the photo shoot at Jahphix Fish Bay, Tortola Studio.
Skylar has the soul of an adventurer. She is confident, lively and quite the fashionista.
“Skylar is just too much,” Sally laughs while watching her granddaughter practice her poses for the camera.
A few days before Mother’s Day, I called Sally and asked her be a part of the Japhixtelevisiin.com Mother’s Day Special.
Without hesitation, she agreed.
“You know I could talk about my children and grandchildren all day,” she said.
Sally is a mother of two, Dominique and Stephan, and a grandmother of two, Skylar and N’Quori.
“I remember growing up I always wanted to be a mother. When I got my two kids, no matter the struggles and sacrifices, there was always joy whenever I looked at them. They are a part of me that will live beyond my time on this earth. I knew that no matter what, we were going to be just fine as a family.”
Sally enjoys watching her daughter Dominique embrace being a mother to an incredibly smart child.
“Motherhood changes you. I have see my daughter interacting with her daughter and I am so proud of her. She is a fun mother, but also ensures that Skylar knows her boundaries. They have great fun together and it makes me laugh when Skylar gets a little bit stubborn. I say to Dominique, that is exactly how you behaved as a child. The mango don’t fall far from the tree,” Sally grins.
Minutes after entering the studio, they are ready for the shoot.
There is a lot of mirth in the room.
“Mom, fix your legs right please,” Dominique instructed Sally laughing.
“Nothing not wrong with my pose,” Sally grinned, while comparing her pose with Dominique’s.
Skylar is clearly the star of the moment. She came prepared with an bag full of poses.
“Well look at this child,” Sally smiled as her granddaughter effortlessly moves from one pose to another.
Dominique is looking heavenly smiling.
The photoshoot goes really well. They have an easy relationship filled with love, respect and joy
“These are the moments I treasure. Just being with my daughter and her daughter sharing a moment of pure fun,” Sally shares.
‘I’m loving being a grandmother. My grandchildren keep me on my toes. Lord, the questions, the antics, the tears, the fun. I am loving it all.”
We Sally what she treasures the most in life.
“What I treasure most in life is watching my children grow from babies into adulthood.
I celebrate their victories and continue to help them through their difficult times. A mother’s job is never done. I am a proud mother and grandmother. I see my granddaughter – yet another generation – standing confidently and ready to achieve incredible things.
I want all of my children to forever remember the tradition of sharing a meal together because we must always have time for family.”
Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mums.
Maya Marcellin, Teen Universe British Virgin Islands, departed the territory on Feb. 22 for Nicaragua, where she will compete in the Teen Universe International Pageant.
Marcellin left the British Virgin Islands on Sunday accompanied by family members and supporters as she begins representing the territory in the international competition. The pageant will bring together contestants from several countries to compete in preliminary events leading up to the final show.
Supporters gathered prior to her departure to offer encouragement as she travels to Nicaragua to represent the British Virgin Islands on the international stage.
By Ray Winter
Designer Andrea Wilson is one step closer to her New York Fashion Week debut this February, having completed the first round of casting calls in the British Virgin Islands late last December.
A total of 10 emerging models from across the territory gathered on Sunday, December 28, at the S’thetics on Tortola for the ‘I Landed in the Big Apple’ casting call. The runway show itself will take place
on February 14 at the Midtown Loft Studio in Manhattan.
At the casting, models were put through their paces — from runway walk and posture assessments to a high-energy photo booth challenge designed to test both poise and presence.
“I can already say that the girls from the first casting call turned up and did not disappoint. I am loving the energy of this group,” Andrea shares during an interview at her Hannah’s Estate boutique on Tortola, where vibrant swimwear and luxurious resort pieces from her previous four collections line the space.
With model submissions arriving from the United States, Guyana, the United Kingdom and the United States Virgin Islands, the next round of casting is scheduled for mid-January.
“I am truly looking forward to the next round, which will have both in-person and virtual assessments,” she explains, pausing between calls from her organising committee discussing VIP bags and venue décor.
“I have been crazy busy over the past few weeks since the date confirmation poster was shared on social media. My social media accounts are overly active with messages from up-and-coming models and others with major runway experience, from international pageants to designers’ showcases. They all want to walk the runway.”
“I am humbled by the level of support from all corners,” the designer reveals. “I have received encouragement from models, family and friends, colleagues, and even strangers. “It has not been an easy journey.”
Behind Andrea’s first New York runway presentation lies a deeper milestone. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of her brand, The Islander Swimwear. A decade defined by both wins and trials — from a successful brand launch to fractured business partnerships; from the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria to the uncertainty of Covid-19 lockdowns — has shaped the designer’s resilience.
Still, Andrea beams as she fine-tunes the final details for her Valentine’s Day debut.
“I learnt something from all my stumbles. I have learnt that I can take it all and still stand with all my scrapes and bumps. I am from a family of women who have shown me that it is okay to stumble because you gain knowledge for the next chapter.”
“I am the Caribbean phoenix,” Andrea grins.
Born in Guyana and based in the British Virgin Islands for more than two decades, she brings a rich cultural lineage to her work. With roots that trace back to St Lucia and Suriname, her heritage weaves seamlessly into her creative vision.
“I started a brand with very little money, but I had gumption and ideas about creating a different Caribbean swim and resort wear look that came from my love of travelling around the Caribbean. That’s why my brand is called The Islander; every collection reflects the natural beauty of my beloved region. A decade later, and this region still sparks my creativity, inspires me daily.”
Her swimwear and resort collections are defined by bold, original prints created by Andrea herself, each reminiscent of mosaic artwork. Drawing inspiration from the Caribbean’s natural beauty — from vibrant coral reefs to rolling waves and sun-drenched beaches — every piece tells a story, capturing the depth and allure of the region.
A glimpse into her boutique reveals the essence of her design philosophy. Perched above the Caribbean Sea, the space commands sweeping views of Nanny Cay Marina, where yachts of every scale glide in and out with effortless glamour.
Inside, the atmosphere is light and breezy, layered with striking details: driftwood repurposed as jewellery displays, recycled marine pallets reimagined as plinths, and accents of dried coral and shells that echo the surrounding seascape.
Part store, part studio, it is here that Andrea, whose background is in graphic design, has spent recent months immersed in the creation of her collections, preparing for her much-talked-about debut in the Big Apple.
In February, Wilson will present three collections during the show and has invited fellow Virgin Islands designers Germaine Smith of Kymasia and Morgan Creque to join her on the runway, creating a collaborative moment that highlights Caribbean creativity on a global stage.
“When I confirmed that the showcase was definitely going ahead, I wanted to share the stage with other designers in the territory – that’s how Germain and Morgan came on board,” she explains.
The runway experience will be further elevated by handmade jewelry created exclusively for the show by Ammique Mills of BVI Artistry Boutique. Her eco-conscious designs—crafted from sustainably sourced natural elements found throughout the Virgin Islands—will complement the collections and underscore the region’s deep connection to the sea and land. Select pieces from Mills’ work will also be included in VIP gift bags, offering guests a tangible expression of Virgin Islands artistry and sustainability.
Another non-negotiable was ensuring Caribbean models took centre stage.
“I wasn’t going to stage a Manhattan show during New York Fashion Week, celebrating the spirit of the Caribbean, without models from my home region. Hell no,” Andrea shakes her head from left to right.
“That’s why I’m holding two casting calls, complete with online voting, to promote our Caribbean models and let the public have a say in who will be the cover model, centrefold and back cover model for the ‘I’Landed in the Big Apple’ runway show.”
“I’m excited,” she laughs heartily. “This is my Caribbean fashion love story.”
“New York, here we come.”
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