Petula’s back on track

She is an interlock technician (a way of forming dreadlocks with a crochet needle or a latching tool), who also makes jewelry, wraps, straps and bags.

The mother of four boys said she started doing her boys’ dreadlocks roughly 20 years ago although her eldest is the only one to have kept his locks to this day.

However, the road to Petuliqu? Boutiqu? on Fifth Street in Mt Lambert, had been a bit bumpy along the way.

Auguste-Du Bois, who also holds a diploma in fashion design said: “I did that (fashion designing) for 12 years and, of course, all what I have developed comes out in everything I create. I wanted a change so I applied for a job in Waitrose Food Fashion and Home Store, the flagship store partnership with John Lewis, one of the biggest department stores in London and became assistant manager. I was with the company for 12 years and yes the face fits, but the hair was a problem. So I took up doing my ex-husband, my hair and the children’s hair and that’s how I was developing my technique while I was working part time.

“I became intrigued by the different textures of hair and trained myself to become an interlock technician.

“Not too long after I got the courage to invite my family, friends and clients to come to my home to start their locks and helping them to maintain their locks.

“However, my clientele became too much to work on from home. So I went to work in a shared shop with other technicians for a year. I have been doing hair practically all my life and have been growing my locks for 15 years.

I was working from home (in England) for six years, running my own business till I built enough clientele to open my own Salon Studio - Petuliqu? Boutiqu?, which was located upstairs HairByChi 340 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London, E10 7LD.” Auguste-Du Bois worked there for a year and two months then closed up shop.

“Going through two divorces and bringing up my four boys single-handedly was a task on it’s own. “But now that they are all grown men she said: “I’m now doing me. I’m on my next journey by the grace of God, Trinidad and Tobago here I come!” Auguste-Du Bois lived in England since her birth in 1966.

“I’ve always wanted to be home, and all my family is here except for my mom and siblings, but I was back and forth once or twice a year for many years, and I always came for my birthday in January, and every time I came, I got anxiety attacks. I felt I just had enough of England and I didn’t want to be there any more but my mind wasn’t ready for it so I made a five-year plan. I saved enough money to come down and then I made my move.” At Petuliqu? Boutiqu?, she sells her essential oils for hair and body, home-made jewelry and bags. As representative for Sandalias Apparel, her cousin’s company that deals with leather sole sandals with interchangeable straps, she said while the soles are locally made by a shoemaker, she makes the straps. “Any and everyone can purchase my products. The style I carry is urban ethnic, sophisticated and stylish,” said Auguste-Du Bois. “But to tell the truth, moving from one destination to another, losing my father a year ago (March 25), his passing took a toll on me but things are now just starting to pick up.

“My clientele is not as much in Trinidad as it was in London and they are not obligated to one stylist. Hence, why I’ve had more time to work on my other creations.” What struck her, she said, was that nobody wants to pass the Lighthouse in Port-of- Spain but people are now realising that she has got quality products, made-to-order from whatever clients request them to be made out of, and she uses a lot of African prints for bags.

For more info: petuliquefashions@ msn.com