AT TWELVE TONIGHT, Barbadians, along with the rest of the world, will be saying goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011.
And they will be doing it wearing new outfits and hairstyles, as well as new accessories, to look extra special when they attend their chosen Old Year’s Night event.
In order to acquire “new everything”, many flocked to Bridgetown and other parts of the island looking for the right outfit. To get a sense of the atmosphere and the rush, the WEEKEND NATION visited Bridgetown and Sheraton Mall in Christ Church to find out how business has been going.
When the team pushed the doors of Red Boutique, located on Victoria Street, employees were helping customers zip up dresses and try on shoes or just giving fashion advice.
Sales associate of the boutique, Shontelle Birkett, said that people had been flocking the store in search of “the hot outfit to wear” tonight.
“People have been coming into the store since it reopened on Tuesday after that long weekend break. Everybody is coming looking for the hot or cool outfit to wear tomorrow night [tonight]. What I have noticed is that males are coming in the store looking for outfits for females and the females are coming into the store looking for outfits for the males.
“But while all week we have been seeing a lot of people coming into the store, I expect tomorrow to be the real rush day,” she said.
Meanwhile, owner of Impressions beauty salon in Roebuck Street, Akera Rouse, said she was so overwhelmed with work that she found it necessary employ temps to help satisfy the demands of old and new customers.
The hairdresser said that her appointment book contained over 30 appointments for the day.
“A lot of people coming to get their hair done in that [special] style so that they can make a good impression when they go to whatever they are going to tomorrow night [tonight]. As you can see, the salon is full today, but I predict that it is going to be busier tomorrow because in addition to the appointments I have in the book people are going to be walking in asking to get their hair done.”
The workers in Dee’s Mega Styles, Norman Centre, Broad Street, were busy running around helping customers to find the right shoes. Meanwhile, owner of Black And White boutique, in Sheraton Mall, Sandy Hinkson, was happy because despite Government’s recent VAT increase, she saw an influx of her regular and new customers.
“I have my local customers who buy their Old Year’s outfits from me every year, and as usual they came out and supported me this year. I can’t complain,” said Hinkson. (AH)
