Islandistas out and about for pre-Grammy weekend parties

The Grammy Awards are today and that means one thing for certain – pre-grammy parties in abundance!

And of course that means a weekend full of islandista-spotting as some of our favourite and most fabulous Caribbean stars socialise.

Rihanna leads the way (of course) at the Roc Nation pre-Grammy brunch. Rihanna has as many looks as there are beaches in the Caribbean but for the brunch, she opted for one of her recent favourites – soft, dewy makeup and a wispy updo.

Photo credit: Getty Images for Roc Nation

Her look was perfect for a brunch – a vibrant flower-print pencil skirt and a soft white cardigan tucked inside. But Rihanna kept it from being too ladies-who-brunch by revealing a bikini top in the same print as her skirt.

Nicki Minaj was also seen at the brunch and in contrast to her recent, much-praised ‘toned down’ appearances, her outfit was vintage Nicki, with blond hair, python-print pants in neon yellow and a bright orange fur coat. A black blouse with a quatrefoil cut-out pattern toned it down but only slightly. I’m in the minority on this but I’ve always preferred outlandish, outre Nicki anyhow and found all the hailing of her toned down look a bit condescending. Be loud, Nicki!

The NAACP Image Awards was also this weekend, taking advantage of all the start in one place. Our darling (and black cake lover) Kerry Washington attended and was stunning in a red Zuhair Murad gown dress.

Haiti-born actress and writer Garcelle Beauvais was also at the Image Awards and looked fabulous in a strapless floral gown.

Meanwhile at Essence Magazine’s Black Women in Music event, Bahamian-American Tamera Mowry-Housely (one of the hosts of The Real) was glowing and gorgeous in a white gown flowing over her baby bump.

Guyanese-Canadian Melanie Fiona has also popped up this weekend at the ASCAP Grammy nominees brunch, sporting a fresh-faced, barely there look in terms of makeup and an …interesting patchwork patterned, boho-style dress.