Gandelman was honored to be requested to be the exclusive Jeweler for the launch of these beautifully designed cocktail dresses.

The collections shown were Bulgari, Cartier, David Yurman, Lisa Nik, and Mimí, all exclusive brands from Gandelman.

During her speech, Kathy Hilton thanked Gandelman for supporting her fabulous dress collection. She is a very friendly and down-to-earth person who easily mingled with the models and Gandelman staff.

The store was packed with Press from all over the world including local and international customers. An Infinity pendant necklace with diamonds was raffled to one lucky winner which was local customer Jerusha Rasmijn.

October is the official month for breast cancer awareness and this year, Gandelman introduces a special bracelet to raise breast cancer awareness. The custom designed bracelet is made of white and pink gold and is attached to a white or black silk cord, which can be adjusted to any wrist size.

The price of the white and pink gold bracelet is $325 and is available in all Gandelman stores at the Renaissance Mall, Royal Plaza, Hyatt Regency and Marriott Hotel.

Gandelman will donate 25% of the sale of each bracelet to the Mary Joan’s Foundation in Aruba to help them with their Breast Cancer Support Group programs.

Join us…..Be part of the Cure.

Almost thirty years later during a parliamentary session on 16th of March 1976, it was agreed that March 18th would be Aruba’s National Day – the day to celebrate Aruba’s national anthem and flag and this was celebrated for the first time in 1976.

Exactly 10 years later, in 1986, also on this important date, Aruba celebrated the achievement by Betico Croes of a dream that had been three generations in the making – Status Aparte – an autonomous status within the kingdom of the Netherlands. On this date in 1996, a monument was inaugurated in remembrance of the 2,147 people who, back in 1947 and 1948 had signed a petition in favor of Status Aparte.

This year (March18, 2011) we will be celebrating 25 years of the Status Aparte. During the complete month of March there are many cultural activities and festivities scheduled.

Coat of Arms

Aruba’s Coat of Arms has been in use since November 15, 1955. The design was created by “Atelier voor Heraldische Kunst,” of Amsterdam, Holland, but it was later altered to reflect of the symbols of Aruba.

Aruba Flag

Born 57 years ago, Carnival first began as a series of small street festivals. The Tivoli Club, Aruba’s oldest private social club, was the first to have a pre-Lenten celebration in Oranjestad in February 1944. The Allied victory of World War II was commemorated by a large parade in San Nicolas comprised largely of Caribbean-English immigrants who came to Aruba to work at the Lago Oil Refinery. The first steel and brass bands debuted a few years later and small parades sprouted here and there.

In 1955, various clubs and districts were brought together for Aruba’s first public Carnaval with the first official Carnaval queen. The traditional Grand Parades were organized in 1957. On November 11, 1966 (11/11/66) at 11:11 am, Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval (SAC), Carnaval’s organizing body, was founded. Each year, the Carnaval season officially begins at this precise moment. Ever since 1981, Tivoli, Aruba’s oldest social club, has produced the Lighting Parade, a twinkling nighttime extravaganza.

Following the Lighting Parade, Children’s Parades, Pajama Party and Grand Carnaval Parade in San Nicolas is the exciting finale – the Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad. The midnight burning of the King Momo, a life-size effigy, signals the end of the Carnival season on Shrove Tuesday, after Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. This tradition symbolizes the burning of the Spirit of Carnival who will rise again when the next season begins.

The origins of Carnaval are found thousands of years ago. The word is derived from the Latin carne vale, meaning farewell to flesh, referring to the time when many Christians gave up food, drink and unacceptable behavior for Lent. Its beginnings can be traced back to the feasts of antiquity held to honor such gods as Bacchus and Saturn. Colonization introduced this phenomenon to the New World and the French brought it to the Caribbean.

Carnival 57Get into the spirit of Aruba’s biggest party of the year – a month-long celebration with festive street parties known as “jump-ups” and spectacular parades. Lovelies of all ages strut their stuff at Carnival Queen elections, competing for the coveted crown.

Aruba Carnivals are remembered for their powerful music; winning songs selected at competitions include the best calypso with politically-charged lyrics and social commentaries, and the best road march with catchy lyrics and melodies and movements all perform together. Years later, many still “do the wiper”, “hit the floor”, and “jump with your towel!”

Grand Parades in San Nicolas and Oranjestad shut down both cities. Under the blazing sun, marchers in resplendent feathered and sequined regalia are joined by imaginative rolling road pieces and huge music machines on wheels. Some groups have hundreds of participants.

Lining the streets along the routes of the Grand Parades are trailers of all shapes and sizes; many spectators are also happy just to stand at the side of the road. A spirit of camaraderie and happy anticipation is felt by all as the hours of waiting are filled with food and drink, greeting and socializing.

Carnival is way too much fun to miss! Here are some highlights of the wild and wonderful season ahead:

The Lighting Parade is a twinkling nighttime extravaganza. Tiny lights sewn into costumes create a magical effect as marchers make their way along the parade routes.

The afternoon Children’s Parades feature groups of adorable miniature marchers in creative and colorful costumes. These are professional productions organized and overseen by parents.

The Grand Carnival Parade in San Nicolas begins with jouvert morning, a combination pajama party and jump-up, beginning in the wee hours and lasting until dawn.

The Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad takes place on the following day, making for an exhausting but exhilarating weekend. This is the largest and longest of all the parades with the most spectators and participants.

The midnight burning of King Momo, a life-size effigy of the spirit of the Carnival, signals the end of the season.

Rivaling that of Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans, Aruba’s Carnival is a thrilling show of over-the-top pageantry 57 years in the making.

New in jewelry are the additions of the everlasting Trinity Collections and the very popular Love Collections. These were only a few of the pieces which enchanted the guests. A special touch to the evening was the presence of a Cartier representative in the person of Mrs. Suzy Paciotti who came to Aruba especially for the event. Cartier indulged its guests with sparkling champagne and delectable hors d’oeuvres ensuring the start of the Holiday Season was an unforgettable one.