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Saturday, 17 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In a day and age when fashion shows off a different trend every day, it is hard to keep up with the changes and harder yet to find up-to-date trends in local stores. More often than not, the ‘in’ clothing arrives in Sri Lanka months too late, by which time a new design is already on the rise on the international platform.
In this backdrop, finding Shamrock down Thimbirigasyaya Road was like finding water after running thirsty for a good while. Even from a distance, the display shows an array of patterns and designs, keeping with the latest trends.
Nigel Pompeus, owner of Shamrock, accredits the fashion sense of the store to his two teenage daughters who take chances picking out what should be on shelf and what shouldn’t. Every few weeks, one of the daughters takes a trip abroad with either Pompeus or his wife and brings back suitcases full of clothes that adorn every nook and corner of the shop.
“They know what’s in and what’s not; and our customers love how updated we are in terms of trends, styles and designs. My daughters also have a knack with clothes. This sits well for our business.”
“My whole family – including myself and my wife, my daughters and my son – we were all shopaholics. If we like something we go for it, we don’t see the price,” Pompeus said, “not anymore though.” With a family full of shopaholics, how did they decide to open up a store and share their fashion secrets?
Pompeus and his wife, both in the travel industry, have always wanted to do something on the sideline; a fallback plan of sorts if things don’t go right. Fashion and clothing, a family passion, was therefore discussed over the past few years to be turned into a business. “But we were apprehensive,” he said. “We always had the interest but we didn’t want to invest haphazardly.”
The encouragement and the much-needed boost came from a relative of theirs who also owns a shop in Jawatte for some 15 years. “They told us the business is good and that we will surely be able to build it successfully.” The seed that was planted years ago finally began taking root.
Pompeus reflected that the building in which they currently showcase their products was discovered during a drive back home with his daughters after classes. The building was going through the final touches when he approached the owner, who readily agreed to give it to him. Two weeks later, just over a year ago, Shamrock began its journey.
“It’s been great so far,” Pompeus observed, “Seeing that we started with clothes we bought when we went abroad a few weeks before opening the store, with the intention of selling it among friends and relatives, I can honestly say we have come far.”
The store features designs from abroad alongside a very few from a local supplier. “95% is from overseas.” Be it skirts, dresses – both party and casual – and tops and blouses, Shamrock has it all. “We cater to what is in demand.”
Pompeus added: “With the development of internet and online stores, customers in Sri Lanka know what is out there much more than they knew before. They are in touch with the global scene. At Shamrock what we deliver are these fashion trends – the latest and the most popular.”
With a good repeat customer base and a growing demand, Pompeus hopes to expand his store and move to a bigger space soon. “With the demand, we have no choice but to bring down more and more!” he said excitedly. “We urge everyone to come and visit our shop. We guarantee you will always find something to complement you under our roof.”
Pix by Lasantha Kumara
