I’ve followed the rising careers of top models Imaan Hammam & Mélodie Monrose for a long time. Along with Grace Mahary and a few other ladies and gents, they’re squad exudes #blackexcellence, #blackgirlmagic and #goals. When I found out Mélodie Monrose (I mean that name!) hailed from Martinique my affinity for her grew with island girl pride. I was recently in Martinique at the same time as these beauties as they skipped the tail end of NYFW and attended Carnival. I fell in love with the island, the food, the people. It was definitely Caribbean, decidedly French and undeniably African. I can’t wait to go back and Norwegian airlines has flights for as low as $79 so I definitely can for a long weekend!

I’ve been to a few events that these ladies attend, but I’d really rather run into them on a beach, on a beautiful isle. Here’s to hoping and check out my guide to Martinique for Vogue.com!