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Goldfinger singer and musical legend Dame Shirley Bassey stunned crowds this weekend as she burst into James Bond hit ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ at the inaugural Jersey Style Awards.
Dame Shirley (80) was inaugurated into the ‘Style Hall of Fame’ after a glamorous 60-year career with over 135 million record sales at the new red carpet event, which aimed to firmly pin Jersey on the global style map by showcasing the Island’s brightest and best luxury fashion, food and tourism outlets.
Taking to the stage to collect her award following a short video documenting her six shining decades in the entertainment industry, the best-loved ballad singer picked up from the fading backing track and launched into an acapella performance of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ to rapturous applause.
The #Legend Shirley Bassey last night @JerseyStyleAwds collected a well deserved award & sang like this: #Goosebumps #saturdaynight #Jersey pic.twitter.com/DiyC9zO4mC
— Anna Norton (@_AnnaNorton) June 25, 2017
Video: Dame Shirley wows crowds with the classic Bond theme. (@_AnnaNorton/Twitter)
From behind a Jersey-themed floral podium, Dame Shirley commented:
“Wow. I am no stranger to Jersey. I was here when I was a younger version of myself. So this was great. Thank you Jersey Style Awards for inviting me back… Thank you everybody.”
The star, who stood tall in a sweeping pink and green blossom-effect lace gown, spent the evening mingling with guests – even taking time to give Assistant Minister for Economic Development Deputy Murray Norton, who introduced the awards, a peck on the cheek.
Well that is a birthday treat!!! Dame Shirl & me!! @JerseyStyleAwds pic.twitter.com/JMpKdXfW1j
— Murray Norton (@MurrayNorton) June 24, 2017
Dame Shirley’s singing was the first of two musical surprises, with award-winning English rapper Professor Green, whose real name is Stephen Manderson, also in attendance for a special after party performance.
The songwriter, who had previously performed at Jersey Live, followed Dame Shirley, laughing as he started his performance:
“I’ve got to come up here and attempt to follow that act – and I make talking music so just put up with me please!”
But he nonetheless impressed with hits ‘I Need You Tonight’, a drum and bass mash-up of ‘Just Be Good to Green' and a rousing ‘Read All About It’.
Video: Musical highlights from Dame Shirley and Professor Green.
Professor Green and Dame Shirley were just two of a cast of international stars who were privately flown to the Island alongside US designer Melissa Odabash, awarded for her mastectomy-friendly swimwear collection, models Jacey Ethalion and Christian Arno, and a multi-million collection of Chopard Jewellery.
In his acceptance speech, London Fashion Week stalwart Julien Macdonald, who won Womenswear Designer of the Year, joked that he was attending as Dame Shirley's "gay best friend" and that she had convinced him to visit Jersey by telling him, “It’s hot, it’s glamorous and it’s sexy!”
“But on a serious note, thank you so much everybody. I’ve had a great career, and it’s my job to make women feel and look glamorous. And there’s nothing better than the people and the women that I dress, from Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gigi, Bella Hadid – the sexiest women in the world. A designer is no good without the women that wears his clothes and thank God for women that look f***ing gorgeous,” he added.
Pictured: The international award-winners pose for a photo.
Despite the international attendees, the awards’ focus was firmly local, with twelve Island businesses spanning arts, retail, tourism, culture and cuisine also honoured.
Tastemaker of the Year, Matt Porteous, who has photographed Prince George, captured the spirit of the evening as he partly dedicated his award to, “…this beautiful Island” where he said he was, “…surrounded by creativity.”
Following the event, Deputy Murray Norton commented: “This event has been an incredible platform to showcase the best of what Jersey has to offer on a cultural, artistic and stylish level. We are so honoured to have such esteemed guests on our shores and I think the winners showcase that Jersey can indeed punch above its weight globally in delivering first class cuisine, visitor and cultural attractions and luxury adventure.”
Pictured: Style Awards attendees enjoyed a Jersey-themed three-course meal against a backdrop of glittering Chopard jewellery and Mark Howe blooms.
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