Photography by Emmanuel Sanchez-Monsalve; Styling by Moses Moreno; Interview by Samantha Cohen.
Model Jessica Strother, wearing a McQueen gown, shot on location for the Summer Special Travel edition of Bal Harbour Magazine at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.
For Bal Harbour Magazine’s Summer Special Travel Edition, we jetted off to The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman for an indulgent escape marrying sun, sea, and style. After the cover shoot wrapped, model Jessica Strother chatted with us about getting into character, why she loves Rihanna, and a potential future culinary career.
The private dock at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is where all water-based adventures and excursions begin. Strother wears a Valentino blazer, scarf, shirt, and pants; and Tom Ford sunglasses.
What characters did you try to embody over the course of this two-day shoot? Did you have a favorite role to play?
I really liked getting into the character of this confident, entitled, moneyed woman. That first look where I arrived at the hotel’s dock by private charter, and when we were at the restaurant, Blue by Eric Ripert, and the waiter was in the scene, pouring Champagne.
Champagne flows easily at Blue by Eric Ripert, the Caribbean’s first and only Forbes 5-Star restaurant. Ripert also hosts the hotel’s Cayman Cookout, a multi-day culinary festival celebrating gastronomy and wine, held every January. Strother wears a Valentino skirt and shirt; Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses, available at Morgenthal Frederics.
And how do you get into the mindset of that role you’re playing?
Sometimes it’s with direction from the photographer or stylist, but I guess it’s just something that’s embedded in my brain. I’ve been modeling since I was 14 and I’m 30 now, so I feel like it’s just this autopilot takeover.
Strother wears a Ferragamo coat and Eres swimsuit, available at The Webster.
Strother wears a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello silk dress and Norma Kamali bikini, available at Neiman Marcus, and a vintage Hermes travel bag.
Was there something you enjoyed most about working with Emmanuel Sanchez- Monsalve?
I had never worked with Emmanuel before, and just loved how chill he was, but could still bring the vibes. He would just break out into dance and pump me up while still working the camera.
Coffee in bed, on island time. A sense of serenity and comfort pervades the beautifully appointed rooms and suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. Strother wears a Chanel swimsuit.
Strother wears a Loewe dress.
Strother wears a Prada skirt and bralette.
When you’re shooting, is there specific music that really gets you in the mood?
I love Rihanna. I feel like if you’re trying to do a sexy shoot, or just need to feel extra-confident, Rihanna is my go-to. If it’s something more mellow, I love listening to Sade, but if I need to pump it up, then it would be Drake, maybe some throwback ‘90s or 2000s—like some Britney [Spears], Spice Girls, Christina Aguilera.
If you weren’t modeling, what would you be doing?
I love to cook and bake and have thought about going to culinary school. I feel like I could be a private chef in New York and meet all these different people. Or maybe I could start catering shoots!
From unobstructed penthouse views of Grand Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach to private boat charters, The Ritz-Carlton offers myriad ways to unwind. Strother wears a Chloé swimsuit.
Strother wears a Tom Ford skirt and shirt, available at The Webster.
Get the Look
Ready to pack your bags and take off on a luxurious beach getaway? Even if you can’t make it to the Caribbean, you can channel the indulgent island time style featured in our cover story with these looks—available now at Bal Harbour Shops.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Emmanuel Sanchez-Monsalve; STYLIST: Moses Moreno/Exposure NY; MODEL: Jessica Strother/IMG; MAKEUP ARTIST: Marco Castro; HAIR STYLIST: Chika Nishiyama/Forward Artists; PRODUCERS: Billy Kiessling, Mitch Zachary/Modem Creative Projects; PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT/DIGITECH: Joshua Selcado; STYLING ASSISTANT: Georgia Tagliaferro.
