French Ambassador Francis Hurtut and designer Eliette LeSuperbe (at Hurtut's left) with Saint International models (from left) Venecia Bennett, Anastasia Beckford, Denise Scott, Canise Jackson, Trissane Holder, Yashmin Johnson (partly hidden) and Chantelle Lee

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

French Ambassador to Jamaica, Francis Hurtut, hosted another National Day reception at his residence on Saturday. It was the usual mixture of French cuisine, with the ever popular variety of cheeses, wine and champagne to toast another year of liberty, fraternity and equality.

A jovial Ambassador Hurtut quipped that he wasn't sure how many persons would show up on a Saturday night and saw the numbers on the lawn as a good sign of the way the guests feel about the French. The ambassador also took a moment to say it was refreshing to be posted in a country like Jamaica, when so many of his postings have been to places rife with war.

Even though there was no march past by the French troops, the guests were given a surprise, provided by Saint International models. After the customary speeches, seven stunning beauties modelled designs from Guadeloupe's Eliette LeSuperbe.

Catwalk

A very fab-looking five (from left): Michelle Bovell, Carla Seaga, husband Edward Seaga, Fiela Mazzocchi-Alemanni and husband Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni.

New dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Cezar Amaral (left), joins French Ambassador Francis Hurtut (second left), designer Eliette LeSuperbe and Foreign Affairs Minister Anthony Hylton.

The oohs and aahs were evident as the slender, statuesque mademoiselles turned the front entrance of the residence into a catwalk. Guests included: Belgian Ambassador Herman Portocarero; European Union head Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and wife Fiela; Russian Ambassador Viktor Zotin; departing dean of the Diplomatic Corps High Commissioner Cedric Harper and wife Barbara; Deputy British High Commissioner Paul Nicolopulo and wife Kareen; honorary consul to Korea Republic Yvon DeSulme and wife Cynthia, his brother Tom DeSulme; Bernadette Grezes from the French embassy; Pierre and Karlene Lemaire, their son Adrien Lemaire; Gilou Bauer, Neila Ebanks, Paul Hansworth, Hugh and Ouida Dunphy, Gary Neita, Prof. Sir Roy Augier, Kent Pantry, Horace Bogues, Ambassador Dr. Matthew Beaubrun, Dr. Cezly Sampson, Vivian Crawford, Robert Richards and wife Carmela; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin, as well as Ana Lucia Frias and Andriz Melenciano.

Left: Former Prime Minister of Jamaica Edward Seaga (centre) chats with MP Mike Henry and wife Dawn. Right: Taking in the fashion show at the French National Day reception are (from left) Victoria McKenzie, Nabila Khouri and Felicia Harris.

Outgoing dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Cedric Harper, points out something of interest to attorney Dorothy Lightbourne at the French National Day reception, held at Hillcrest Avenue, last Saturday.