I’m still coming slowly down from the cloud that was my trip back to Trinidad with EDEN BodyWorks. It’s been a dream of mine for years to go to my homeland to host or participate in a natural hair event, and it was such a blessing and an honor to have that dream come TRUE in such spectacular fashion, with a brand I have been loving and working with for years! My heart is still so full from the experience. Come with me — check out these photos from the first #EDENGoesGlobal event, launching the brand in my homeland of Trinidad and Tobago!
The EDEN team rocks, and there’s real friendship and camaraderie there. This was a working trip, but a trip with people I have known for years, respect, and admire. We had so much fun!
The event was held in such a special and beautiful location — HOME, a unique event space co-owned by Anya Ayoung-Chee. I fell in love with their cafe and store. I’ll definitely come back HOME next time I visit!
The response of Trinis to EDEN has been so wonderful, I’ve gotten such positive feedback online since the event! EDEN is now available for sale in Trinidad at Valrosa Ltd.
And now these products are available for sale in Trinidad and Tobago!
Guests enjoyed cocktails, light delicious bites and fabulous goodie bags that were laden with product. Let’s get into this event!
Here I am with my friend Renae, creator of the always inspirational In Her Shoes blog. She’s part of Team EDEN and a fellow Trini! We had to strike a pose in our prints. Renae’s dress is by Suakoko Betty. My skirt is custom made by Trinidadian-born, DC-based designer Nicole and Madeline. The quality of her work is incredible — definitely check her out if you need a showstopping look for a special event!
Jasmine Lawrence, creator of EDEN BodyWorks, is such a beautiful person inside and out. She launched EDEN when she was just 13 years old. So amazing to see how far her creation has come!
Here we are with the amazing Ylorie Anderson, a woman who never fails to inspire me. Ylorie is brilliant — follow her @BrownGirlMktg on Twitter!
Our makeup was done by my favorite Trini makeup artist, Kathy Rogers!
One of the coolest parts of going home for this event was getting to share my passion and what I do with my family. Most of the ladies in my family came out to support me — here I am with my mom, my sister in law Lindsay, my Aunty Opal and my big sister Petal!
The whole reason for the event was to share and launch EDEN BodyWorks with the people of Trinidad, to introduce them to one of my favorite natural hair brands.
Jasmine shared her story of young entrepreneurship and left many in the audience inspired!
My family and some of our closest family friends came out to show love. Here’s Renae and I with Aunty Sintra — you remember this post, right?
The event turned into a high school reunion in the most wonderful way. Friends from early childhood and my teen years came out to show love and discover EDEN! Here I am with Danielle Jones — we’ve known each other since we were maybe 6 or 7 years old? And Samantha John, C News Live anchor, creator of Baby Babble Network and longtime friend — we used to wait for our parents to pick us up after school together. It’s a beautiful thing to reconnect in person after so many years!
Another friend from way back when, Chevonne! So great to see her beautiful smile in the crowd!
Another high school friend — this is Trinidadian jeweler Rachel Rochford. We went to Bishop Anstey High School together and both of us took creative, entrepreneurial paths. Rachel makes AMAZING jewelry — click here to follow her Instagram!
Some of my favorite entrepreneurs and indie business owners came out to the EDEN event. Here are my friends Allison and Lisa. Allison is a longtime family friend who owns natural hair boutique and salon Body Beautiful on D’Avenue. Lisa is a designer and fabric artist — click here to check out her hand-dyed silks!
I finally got to meet Tshenelle of the Trini natural hair group 6 Degrees of Napp, and a few of the other ladies came out too! Lovely meeting you all!
So many beautiful Trini ladies came out to show love, support and discover EDEN. Lovely meeting you all! For even MORE event pics, check out Lime TT’s photo album on Facebook and for a recap check out Loop TT. Thank you all for coming!
We came, we saw, we conquered. I can say with my whole heart — Team EDEN BodyWorks, you DID that!! Special shoutout to Alzo Slade for all of these photos and The Clever Agency for their video work. Loved working with all of you!
Such a successful event kickoff. I’m so proud to have been the first host for #EDENGoesGlobal! The team will go on to St. Thomas, Toronto and beyond — follow @EDENBodyWorks on Instagram to see where they wind up next! Check out EDEN on Facebook for a complete event photo folder.
As your big sister and a fan of Afrobella.com I am incredibly proud of you! and happy and honoured to have been part of your special Eden evening.
Meeting Jasmine, Renae, Ylorie and the rest of the Eden Team was wonderful. Such a talented and friendly group.
It was also great to be with all of the various family members and the Hilarian Crew.
Btw, the company over here that is the distributor for the products is out on Abercromby & New Streets – not far from our old Bishop Anstey High School – such a coincidence.
Now, on to hosting another event in Tobago!
What a dream come true Afrobella! As a fellow Trini and indie beauty business owner in the U.S. I can only imagine what a full circle moment that was! I smiled, laughed and teared up as I followed your IG posts and experienced the beauty that is Trinidad and our people through your photos. Can’t wait to visit HOME the next time I go home and I hope to one day meet you and hug your neck in person! Keep pressing and being as beautiful as you are inside and out!
Congrats Jasmine. We did some work together on the VK at Xbox One. I couldn’t think of a more kind and deserving individual to reach your new found success.
And congrats to the rest of the team!
Warm regards.