MEDIA KIT
“Gallivant is the blueprint for my life; written 25 years ago and rediscovered on a shelf in my kitchen in 2023.”
SIIM
The launch of Gallivant — architect, designer, and storyteller SIIM's travelogue-memoir — delivered an unforgettable evening of storytelling, cultural exploration, and Jamaican creativity.
Hosted by Creative Alchemist, stylist and designer Charl Baker, and featuring a keynote address by the Honorable Edmund Bartlett, OJ, CD, MP, the evening unfolded with warmth, humour and a spirit of discovery, mirroring the essence of the book itself.
Guests were immersed in a multi-sensory experience that brought Gallivant to life, including live author readings, a curated tasting menu inspired by the book’s recipes and intimate book signing moments alongside exclusive limited-edition merchandise.
In honour of the memoir’s themes of compassion and creative nourishment, attendees of the launch event raised $175,000 for Mustard Seed Communities towards Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts and the support of young people in their care. This simple gesture mirrors the heart of Gallivant: that every interaction, no matter how small, has the power to impact someone else’s story.
Beyond celebration, the event successfully positioned Gallivant as a compelling addition to Caribbean literature, sparking meaningful engagement from media, cultural tastemakers and potential bulk buyers, while reinforcing SiiM’s emergence as a dynamic and globally resonant creative voice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
THE SHORT STORY
SIIM is a Jamaican architect, fashion designer and creative director who has spent two decades building experiences at the intersection of design, culture and storytelling.
THE LONG STORY
M. Simone “SiiM” Clarke, B.Arch, is a multidisciplinary creative professional, author and thought leader with over 25 years of experience shaping spaces, stories and cultural experiences across architecture, fashion, film and event design. As the founder and CEO of THE HIGHER INTELLIGENCE AGENCY LLC, a US based Jamaican creative company with global aspirations, SiiM brings together a rebellious Jamaican spirit and cosmopolitan elegance to create timeless expressions in fashion, entertainment, food and soon, education.
A travelogue-memoir about the things we lose, the places we find ourselves, and the recipes that hold us together.
SYNOPSIS (SHORT)
In Gallivant, SIIM traces a life-altering journey that began with grief and trepidation, crossed multiple continents, cuisines and confessions, and ended in self-discovery.
SYNOPSIS (EXTENDED)
Step into the last years of the 20th century, when a young Jamaican woman from Kingston set off to gallivant across the globe—with no set itinerary and plenty of curiosity. From Japan to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and beyond, she plunged into lands and cultures that felt as strange and distant as another planet. Armed with her journal, camera, and a taste for adventure (and delicious food), she wandered solo for nearly a year, living on the edge of the unexpected.
Through poems, postcards, random musings, sketches and photographs, she chronicled her journey of self-discovery, cultural surprises, and changing perspectives. As she sought out cozy stays, bold flavors, and new horizons, she came to understand that embracing our humanity means honoring the roots that shape us while embracing the freedom to grow beyond them—a balance that drives both personal and collective evolution.
For anyone craving stories of unplanned adventure, travel inspiration, or the relatable ups and downs of solo exploration, Gallivant offers a humorous, heartfelt look at finding oneself across borders and time zones.
THE BACKSTORY
A journey sparked it, but a creative life made it real; designing spaces, fashion, food and stories with love as the ultimate reflections of freedom and self-discovery.
Before there was a brand (or even the thought of one) there was a trip. That trip became a trod, and that trod turned into a year-long deep dive into unfamiliar lands and the uncharted corners of a young woman’s spirit. That, is Gallivant.
Along the way, every experience left an imprint... from the shapes of buildings and flavors of street food, to moments of stillness and wild bursts of joy. What began as a journey sparked a lifelong obsession with discovery and design, where food, fashion, spaces, events and even words became ways to express freedom, adaptability, and self-reinvention.
The clothing itself? Each piece is rooted in a place, a feeling, a flash of insight, worn memories reimagined as style.
FROM PAPER TO PATTERN
“This book is a meticulously woven mosaic of poetry, passion and personal courage. It is a work of art.”
— Minister of Tourism, Jamaica,
Hon. Edmund C. Bartlett, OJ, CD, MP
“Articulate, entertaining, and always perceptive, SiiM's memoir transforms both herself and readers."”
RONALD THOMPSON
BUSINESS CONSULTANT, JAMAICA
...a love letter from a friend who never fails to remind me of the joy of wandering, and the magic of truly savoring the world.
CHEYANNE BROWN
BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER, JAMAICA
A light-hearted read for anyone wanting to take on a big adventure. This is your sign. Take it and Gallivant!
Media outlets and bloggers may use provided images and videos for event coverage, provided credit is given to:
'Photo courtesy of SIIM/BlindMice Multimedia'.
Contact info@siim.world for media files
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2026
Jamaican Travelogue Gallivant Debuts as a Bold Exploration of Identity, Culture and Movement
KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Gallivant, the debut travelogue-memoir by Jamaican architect, designer and creative director M. Simone 'SiiM' Clarke, made a powerful entrance into Jamaica’s literary and cultural landscape following its official launch In November 2025. The event brought together cultural leaders, creatives, media and tastemakers for an evening that combined storytelling, culinary experience and cultural immersion.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, OJ, CD, MP, praised Gallivant as “a narrative about the freedom of self-reinvention, born from having the courage to grow beyond our roots while being shaped by them.” He emphasized that SiiM’s Jamaican identity serves as a guiding force, noting that “her Jamaican roots became her compass.”
He continued, “In tourism, peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of connection. What Simone has done in Gallivant is show us the power of human connection through shared humanity. Tourism today is not only sun, sea, and sand; it is about the desire for new experiences. This book invites us to travel like locals, embrace the unplanned, and remain grounded in the roots that give us strength to reach new horizons.”
Blending humour, introspection and cultural observation, Gallivant takes readers across continents and through deeply personal moments of transformation. Written from the perspective of both architect and storyteller, SiiM constructs a narrative that is as structured as it is fluid - exploring identity, movement and the meaning we create through experience.
“Gallivant taught me that even when life throws us off course, we can still create meaning,” SiiM reflects. “It is a meditation on curiosity, identity and the possibility of transformation when life redirects us. This book is, in many ways, a blueprint for my life - written 25 years ago and rediscovered in my kitchen in 2023.”
SiiM’s multidisciplinary background - spanning architecture, design, fashion and film - infuses the work with a distinct sensibility that is both visually rich and emotionally resonant. The result is a narrative that invites readers not only to observe but to see themselves within the journey.
The launch also reflected a spirit of community impact. Hosted at the Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen, the event raised JMD $175,000 in support of Mustard Seed Communities, contributing to post Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts and the care of vulnerable youth. This gesture echoed the core message of Gallivant: that even small actions can shape someone else’s story.
With its blend of authenticity, cultural perspective, and Jamaican voice, Gallivant stands as both a literary work and a cultural offering - one that speaks to resilience, exploration and connection in an increasingly global world.
Gallivant is now available for purchase on Amazon (Kindle, Paperback & Hardcover) and from IngramSpark for bulk purchases.
DIRECT
PUBLICIST (USA)
