Whether it is one factor about Bajans, they are going to costume up! Whether or not or not it’s church, fete, or a world pandemic.
Since COVID-19 directives acknowledged early this yr that it’s obligatory that individuals put on masks in public, Barbadians have accomplished what they do greatest: flip it right into a style development!
Mom and daughter duo, Julia and Cherry-Ann Lovell jumped on board as masks retailers in the course of the early phases of the pandemic and have created a flourishing enterprise, ensuring that Bajans are staying secure and searching good.
The enterprise began on account of Cherry-Ann, an occasion decorator, shedding her solely technique of revenue when the government-imposed curfew got here into impact final yr.
Cherry-Ann’s quick-thinking and hustler’s mindset together with Julia’s stitching expertise led the 2 on a business trip that was capable of maintain the household via powerful monetary occasions.
They frolicked researching the right medical requirements for making masks and with a bit of excellent fortune, they had been capable of supply supplies at dwelling to outfit Bajans with fashionable masks that caught the eye of many.
Cherry-Ann says masks for Bajans have change into a style assertion as clients request a variety of personalized prints, designs, and colors, together with sports activities groups, African prints, college uniform prints, most cancers consciousness themes, Biblical themes, in addition to buyer names.
“Folks began taking this factor actual critical yuh! A joke me and my mom used to make it that the masks have change into a style accent. Like it’s not in regards to the earrings or the chain anymore, it’s all in regards to the masks. The masks need to match the outfit!”
Final November, the Lovells targeted on creating uniquely themed Bajan masks with the damaged trident, widespread sayings, and the quantity 54 to mark the nation’s Independence anniversary.
Though mask-retail is a enterprise that allowed the family to remain afloat in the course of the pandemic, for the Lovells, it’s far more than that.
Julia explains she and Cherry-Ann determined to donate masks to these in want as an expression of gratitude to the Barbadian public.
“After I catch the van on mornings, I look out for college kids which have masks that aren’t becoming their face or worn out, and I might measurement up that youngster and see the color of the uniforms and I may come dwelling and make as much as 4 masks. After I see them on the van I might name them and ask them first after which give them the masks. I does really feel good in spirit once they take them,” Julia says.
She provides the household is so appreciative of the assist they’ve obtained from clients over the previous few months she has adopted the philosophy of “promote half and provides away the opposite half” as a strategy to say thanks.
By Christina Smith
Sponsored by Barbados Public Employees Cooperative Credit score Union Restricted (BPWCCUL)
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