Fashion

A wardrobe for the ‘unapologetic’ woman

By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer |

cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

As beauty salons, nail parlours and retailers continue to open, Bahamian women are finally able to get some of that much missed pampering after the long months of curfews and weekend lockdowns.

Local entrepreneur Gillian “GiGi” Hanna is hedging her bets that fashion-forward Bahamian women will continue to invest in fashion and in themselves.

“I got into retail because I used to spend so much money buying clothes and all my friends would say for the amount of money you spend should open a store,” she told Tribune Weekend. In November 2016, House of Hanna started as a home-based business to help women find the beauty in how they present themselves to the world. While working a fulltime job in finance, GiGi spent her free time curating a fashion collection and growing a following for her brand on social media. Last July, GiGi gave into the demand from her clients for a full retail experience. And while she loved the idea, she admitted that establishing a physical retail space was pretty intimidating. “It’s was a risky decision, even before COVID-19,” she said. GiGi was forced to close the store temporarily in mid-March. “Instead of focusing on the loss of income due to the store closure, I used the time to revamp the whole concept of what House of Hanna could offer to clients from a retail standpoint,” she said. Now, with a new look for the shop, a shift to include online sales, and the addition of self-care

products, the boutique is poised for a relaunch in the second half of 2020.

GiGi wants her store to be more than just a place to find an outfit.

“I really am focused on customer service, because I want my customers to feel like family. I want to be a part of their lives year after year and bond with them as well as offer fashion advice,” she said.

“I want women to be unapologetic about the space that they take up in this world, be it at work, while on vacation, at a special event or simply connecting with friends and family. Wherever they choose to show up, I want them to be confident in the style that they convey.”

GiGi’s clients range in age from their late 20s to 50s.

“They are women who are no longer interested in accumulating fast fashion but instead want to invest in signature pieces that reflect their own sense of style,” she said.

GiGi added that it is important that women take the time to look after themselves, particularly after the last few months.

“In addition to changing our look and selling items online, we have added a line of products for clients to indulge in self-care. If this year has taught us anything it’s that taking time to care for our mental and physical wellbeing is important,” she said.

“Women are the backbone of the home and we have to do so much to make sure that everyone is comfortable and eats dinner and that things run smoothly. So it is very important that women take time for self-care, even if it’s only for a few minutes.”

And she noted that it is even more important for women who may have lower incomes who feel they can’t afford it.

House of Hanna officially reopens this Saturday. The redesigned retail space on Rosetta Street now features a mural by local artist Angelika Wallace-Whitfield.