Queen of mas supplies

Inez Gould, former national Carnival queen has launched into the mas accessories business with the opening of her Gould Mas and Carnival Supplies store.

Gould who won the queen title back in 1999 with her portrayal “The Tempest” from the medium band Savage Garden produced by Trini Revellers, has set up shop at the Parkade on Edward Street, Port-of-Spain.

The store’s decor of white walls with black highlights and panelling, combined with soft lights on the extensive variety of coloured material and accessories, and a mas-clad mannequin in the window are enough to catch pedestrians’ eyes, compelling them to venture in for a look.

Gould who still plays mas, said of her new venture: “I wanted something different, no jumble- up thing.” The 71-year-old was born and raised in Belmont and Santa Cruz but migrated with her family to the United States when she was 18. Since 1994, she has ravelling back and forth from the US to Trinidad. A masquerader since 1994, Gould said she noticed there was too much of the same types of materials being used over and over again.

That inspired her to go to China where looked around and saw goods that appealled to her tremendously that she decided: “I will do something at home and take it to another level.” She immediately starting searching for a building to house her business.

“I just wanted to do something for the people in Trinidad and I donate a lot of stuff to different people and Carnival bands for kids. I give away a lot of stuff.

People don’t know that but I do.” She boasted that most of the materials at her store are not seen elsewhere in Trinidad and said her prices are also cheaper than other stores but also of a higher quality.

The store is equipped with necklaces, materials to make bracelets and necklaces, sequins, sequinned material, even in animal print, mesh net and heavy mesh in all the colours of the rainbow. Gould insisted not all the colours are up as yet since she didn’t want to clutter the store.

Given that some of the trimmings are in pink, lilac, red gold, silver, blue, green, yellow, turquoise, Gould said they could be used for not only Carnival but also for stylish dresses. “They are good for everything not just Carnival. People buy it for formal wear.” The trimmings and appliques also come in neon shades as well as gold, bronze, silver, turquoise, pink, red, green and a lovely royal blue. Also available are pike trimmings, tear drop trimmings, plait twotone trimmings, all of which can be used for mas or clothing.