Carnival accessories sales keep store owners busy

TRENDY WEAR, gl-amorous accessories and easy clip on hair pieces are the rave in Port-of-Spain this Carnival season, as the countdown to the last week of Carnival sends store owners bustling with sales. The ladies are certainly dominating the market, keeping store clerks busy in popular clothing stores like Westport International on Frederick street, PoS. Several people were spotted purchasing accessories, something which Westport sales clerk Diana Thomas said were in great demand. “People want jewelry that matches their outfits for Carnival fetes, and also their Carnival costumes,” said Thomas. Accessories such as chandelier earrings, Body jewels, Stone eyelid jewels, navel rings, body glitter and temporary tattoos can be purchased at affordable prices below seven dollars each. 

In the clothing department, Thomas said party goers opted for hot shorts, navel breaker tops and capris, which can be bought below $40, with the exception of the capris which cost $106. Thomas said the women especially loved the shorts, which come in navy blue and army green colours. Brightly coloured hair pieces are also in great demand, with stunning crimson reds, hot pinks and neon blues gracing several hair and wig stores. Mimi’s Hair in Town Centre Mall had their walls covered in weaves, half wigs and clip-on hair pieces. Manager of Mimi’s, Laureth Meyers, told Newsday that sales were very high for the Carnival season. “The clip-on hair pieces are very popular with fete goers, who can easily have an instant pony tail,” said Meyers. The ponytails cost $85.

Meyers said the fastest selling weave for the Carnival was the bright Bijoux red, which costs $150 per pack. “Masqueraders want their hair to match the colour of their costumes, so this year it is all about accessorising,” said Meyers. While a customer might need more than one pack of weave, Meyers said it would also cost an additional $150 to have it sewn into the hair by a hairdresser. However, a trip to the largest Carnival supplier in the Caribbean, Samaroos Limited, quickly reveals everything a person needs for the season. When Newsday visited Samaroos on Abercromby street, the store was completely swamped. Manager and Director Steve Samaroo said sales are always steady throughout the year, but for the Carnival everything becomes hectic.

“While we have to cater for our Carnival, we also have to supply 99 other Carnivals in North America, Europe and the Caribbean,” said Samaroo. With most of his items being imported from the Far East, Samaroo boasted of the cheapest prices in the region. “School bands especially shop here for raw materials to make their costumes,” said Samaroo. Materials such as satins, chiffons, wires and feather boas are in great demand from the store. “We have been so hectic, that on Carnival Monday we will be opening from 7 am,” said Samaroo.