November 2005 they expanded the shop to include Leonard’s – the perfect complement to the boutique, Leonard’s caters to the well-dressed man. They carry a wide-ranging selection of casual men’s wear, beach wear and footwear. Well-known designer names like New Man, Gant and John Smedley are just some of the lines available. Just across the courtyard, you’ll find Heather Harrington Jones Duty Free Jewellery Boutique. A cutting edge approach to luxury retail where you can select from an exclusive and distinctive collection of handcrafted fine jewellery, precious gifts and timepieces. The Chattel Village in Holetown, with its gaily-painted ‘chattel shops’, fits right into the surroundings and houses a diverse assortment of specialty shops and boutiques like the newly opened Lola Beach which features a scrumptuous selection of swimwear and beach accessories, the much loved Best of Barbados shop, and the deliciously stocked Gourmet Shop. It is here that you’ll also discover the stylish Beth & Tracie flagship store, an exclusive Caribbean label marrying stylish but relaxed resort-wear with unique ‘one-off’ pieces of semi-precious jewellery. When British owner and designer Tracie Lamb, holidayed in Barbados with her family as a young girl “many years ago”, she adds coyly, she knew that she would one day make the island her home. This Bajan-English connection has served her well over the past few years since she opened the boutique; she knows exactly what looks and feels fabulous in the tropics but can also be easily worn in the summer back at home. Step inside this effortlessly sophisticated yet relaxed boutique and you will discover an array of Tracie Lamb jewellery alongside the Beth & Tracie beach wear collection of all the holiday essentials you could need for women and girls. Her brand truly reflects features that are most important to her, and can be seen in her stylish and wearable kaftans, tunics, cover-ups and sundresses, all in beautiful tropical hues. The signature to this brand is the exquisite embroidery and sequins in patterns of swirling bougainvillea flowers, dragonflies and orchids. Be sure not to miss her collection of other accessories such as bead, shell and lace embellished beach bags, sandals and belts. Tracie designs just about everything in the store, using carefully selected fabrics that work just as well with the climate as they do for the occasion. A jeweller for 25 years, she has created an eclectic range of very special handmade, one-off pieces from fabulously opulent and luxurious gemstones which capture the inherent natural beauty of the Caribbean. At the heart of her collection are necklaces spanning a vast palette of colours and textures, bearing a strong visual sense of Western design and Eastern influence. From cool aquamarine and Caribbean blue chalcedony to the opaque burnt orange of carnelian, iridescent fresh water pearls and sea bamboo, to sparkling rock crystal and blue topaz. No piece is ever repeated – each one as unique as its wearer. It’s also worth noting that Tracie will custom make jewellery for clients who are looking for that special piece to compliment a particular outfit. And if you leave this lovely island wishing that you had bought that special tunic or that perfect sundress, you can click onto her UK-based website www.bethandtracie.com to purchase the collection directly and continue your holiday experience!
The Ins & Outs of Barbados
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