Teri-Ann Cunningham

Gabriella’s Couture and Gabriella’s Cosmetics

Third Year FNO Participant

Describe your FNO journey thus far.

It has been great. Our first year (2010) Yendi Phillipps was here in the store. This was soon after her placing second in Miss Universe. There was pandemonium for the 20 minutes she spent in the store. It was just amazing. Then last year, my mum was here and it was another fabulous experience for me. I can’t say enough about just how fantastic FNO has been. I’m looking forward to great things.

What is your most memorable FNO moment to date?

We had a fabulous time last year. My mum was here with me and she did her first interview and that is a cherished moment for me. The atmosphere, the celebration, the love and appreciation from my customers and giving back to them as we did last year was just the ultimate moment.

What can customers look forward to this FNO?

We’re having a trunk show for FNO this year, and naturally customers know that means getting all these designer pieces at slashed prices. Everything will be on sale and discounts go as far as up to 70 per cent off! My customers know I mean business when I say Gabriella’s Couture is having a sale.

What is your FNO must-have?

A Karen Millen LBD. It exudes class and sophistication with the fabulous ruche detailing. It is very sexy, with a low-cut back and front. It can be dressed down for a party, or dressed up with a pair of strappy heels for a formal event. Minimal accessories are needed and, of course, never forget the red lipstick for an outfit like this.

Ruth Dyer-Straw

De Gap

Fourth Year FNO Participant

Describe your FNO journey thus far.

It has been a learning experience for me, truth be told. It is a brilliant idea and it has brought sales year after year and I’m very grateful for that. I look forward to it each year, and this being our Golden Jubilee, a year of celebrations, I can’t wait to see what happens.

What is your most memorable FNO moment to date?

Without a doubt my most memorable FNO moment would have to be back in 2009 when it all started. The momentum leading up to FNO, not knowing what to expect, the excitement and the huge success that it was all contributed to it being an absolutely wonderful experience.

What can customers look forward to this FNO?

It’s always a celebration when De Gap has FNO. The vibe will be excellent. Customers can expect between 10 and 70 per cent off, while they sip cocktails and relax to the sounds of Craig Ross as he takes them on a musical journey. As we’re still celebrating Jamaica 50, so I’d love customers to wear gold as De Gap goes for gold on FNO. The best part of it all is that we’re starting from 1:00 pm for those who would like to beat the traffic.

What is your FNO must-have?

Sheer neon tops with asymmetrical hemlines are all the rage right now all over the world.

Michele Coulton

SoHo and SoHo Generation

Fourth Year FNO Participant

Describe your FNO journey thus far.

I say it every year that it has been nothing short of a gift from the Jamaica Observer. The economy is usually slow during the September period as the focus is primarily on getting the children ready for the new school year. The Jamaica Observer however, through retail therapy creates a celebration that customers yearn for. I can’t say enough good things about FNO as I look forward to this year.

What is your most memorable FNO moment to date?

Last year was simply amazing. It was a wonderful experience to have hosted actress Vivica A Fox. The electricity in the air was just jaw-dropping. The partnership with Permanent Cosmetics Studio and Soho was really special and it all came full circle and was quite a success.

What can customers look forward to this FNO?

Last year we hosted a celebrity, however, this year we want each customer who walks through that door for FNO to immediately feel at home and leave feeling like a celebrity. There will be great discounts as always. We offer our clients fashion that sets a chic tone while looking one-of-a-kind. We cater to their every need and tell them they look fabulous only when they do.

What’s your FNO must-have?

I have two must-haves. A woman should always have a statement necklace. I’m a lover of statement necklaces… hint, hint! It illuminates the face, can be worn to work and to dinner, so it makes a seamless transition into different occasions. It’s not seasonal and so it is always a worthwhile investment. The second must-have is definitely a clutch. Like a statement necklace it transitions into different occasions. It completes the look and you can tell that it does.

Durren McLean

Shhh Boutique

Second Year FNO Participant

Describe your FNO journey thus far.

Shhh Boutique is fairly new on the fashion black, and even though my FNO journey has been brief, it has exposed me to a lot of benefits. It’s a solid alliance between The Jamaica Observer and retailers that brings mutual benefits to an industry that needs a jolt of awareness to boost sales, and Shhh Boutique is ecstatic to be a part of it.

What is your most memorable FNO moment to date?

It would be last year when new customers had the opportunity to visit our initial location at Shortwood Road (the store is now located at 9-11 Phoenix Avenue) and exclaimed that they “didn’t know such a fine and proper clothing boutique existed”.

What can customres look forward to this FNO?

Customers can look forward to a shopping experience on par to none in the industry. We have partnered with Spaces for FNO and will have an ultra-cool cabana decked out with cocktails, mouth watering treats and entertainment. Shhh will offer exisiting and new clients drastically slashed prices with the option to earn discounts in the form of store credit for future purchases as well as secure, hassle-free parking.

What’s your FNO must-have?

It would be a long list but I would have to curb my conscience just this once. My fashionable crave would be a beautifully designed leather messenger bag because I travel a lot so I like to have a standout piece when I do.

Aisha Morgan

Nettle and Moss

Second Year FNO Participant

Describe your FNO journey thus far.

FNO is an opportunity for us to reward our loyal customers with discounts, and celebrate a night dedicated to style and shopping. Our first FNO was a huge success. Last year we hosted Jane Carter, creator of the Jane Carter Solution line of haircare products. Our existing customers were thrilled to receive discounts on their favourite products and were really grateful for an opportunity to learn about the product application and styling first-hand. We were also able to attract many new customers who wanted to meet Jane and visit the store. The majority of those new customers have now become regular customers of the store.

This year we look forward to launching the Carol’s Daughter line at Nettle & Moss, and, of course, hosting Lisa Price, philanthropist and creator of the line. Price’s success story is an inspiration to us as she transformed her hobby of mixing fragrances and creams at home into a multi-million-dollar beauty empire. No better way for us to launch this line than to have her here to help us do it!

What is your most memorable FNO moment to date?

Naturally, that would have to be the packed room of customers who came out to see the demonstrations by Jane and the ‘Lock Star’ Thando Kafele. People came as early as 5:00 pm and took their seats in anticipation of the event.

What can customers look forward to for FNO?

There’s lots to look forward to this year. We’re launching the Carol’s Daughter line of hair and skincare products at Nettle & Moss, which customers have been asking for, for over a year. We have Lisa Price here to launch her own line and provide tips and information for customers. As always, there will discounts on Carol’s Daughter and other products carried by Nettle & Moss, which include Kinky-Curly, Jane Carter Solution and Nubian Heritage.

What products do you most recommend as an FNO must-have for your clients?

I would say the new Transitioning Kit from Carol’s Daughter, which is designed to help persons on their journey as they transition from relaxed to natural hair. The second “must-have” is the Hair Balm liquid pomade.

Jean Anderson-Wright and Patricia Samuels

Signatures

Fourth Year FNO Participants

Describe your FNO journey thus far.

While at first we weren’t sure what exactly FNO was, it was an interesting idea, and when Novia McDonald-Whyte asked us to come on board we knew it would worth it. Each year has been better for us and in order to stand out we celebrated each year with a party. Our customers have become accustomed to the celebrations and love it.

What is your most memorable FNO moment to date?

It would have to be FNO 2010. We were here in celebratory mode as usual as our customers sipped cocktails and immersed themselves in the retail therapy. Our resident FNO DJ, Magic Fingers, was playing so well that all the customers stopped what they started dancing. It was simply amazing.

What can customers look forward to for FNO?

A celebration is in order for this year. We’re looking forward to FNO and our customers know that when we throw our FNO celebrations, there’s an air of opulence in every aspect of it. Being the year of our Golden Jubilee, the theme is Jamaican colours — black, green, and gold.

What are your recommended FNO must-haves?

Pattern pants are a must-have right now. It may be prints, stripes, graphics and the like, as long as it’s not a solid. Of course, we have then in a range of styles here at Signatures.