| Yvonne Cacace |
| sits down with This Week in Bermuda |
How long has Golden Adventures been in business? Talk about your experience in opening up a retail business in Bermuda.
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Golden Adventures opened Stefanel on August 18th,1987. We had a staff of three. The look of the store was very modern, something different for Bermuda at the time. I was a young entrepreneur, not yet twenty years old, but I had a strong drive to succeed. Within a month of opening, Bermuda was struck by hurricane Emily. I remember the desperate need to get to the City of Hamilton to check on the store. Having only lost our awning, we were able to resume business as usual.
Retail in Bermuda is like the rollercoaster of life. It has its ups and downs, but it is my belief that a positive attitude and doing something you love, can only bring rewards of success and happiness. The first five years of business were during a recession in Bermuda, which we managed to overcome and successfully grow our customer list into a group of people who felt more like family. We have observed our customers grow, they now have families of their own. Many of which to this day, continue to shop within the company.
Stefanel was the beginning, “Mother Goose” I like to call her. Since which time we have opened four other stores in Hamilton and two in the Clock Tower Mall in Dock Yard. Sasch, Iana, Cube and Mambo all offer European fashions and the latest in trendy wear from LA and Miami. |
| What is your experience in the fashion arena? |
I attended the Bermuda College and graduated from a course in Fashion Design and Construction. I feel this has helped in my knowledge for fabrics and the workings of garments. I left College to work at Benetton for Mrs.Kim Hollis, when it was on Front Street. While I was there, the hands on experience was essential to my growth and I am still to this day thankful for the opportunity that was given to me to work there. Mrs. Hollis believed in me and my potential, which encouraged me to develop my skills and inspired me to strive for more. During this time, I assisted with translating for Mrs.Hollis between her local architect and the Italian workers setting up her new store in the Williams Building, SISLEY. I had taught myself Italian over the past two years and this came in very handy in being able to communicate between the two parties. After eighteen months, I left Benetton to work on my new project, Stefanel. I attended a training course in merchandising at the Stefanel Headquarters in New York and returned to Bermuda to begin on my new journey. I was now able to put the past two years of experience to the test. The rest is like riding a bike. I love what I do. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have met so many people through my work and each one of them are special.
I do about four buying trips a year. I travel to Milan, Venice, Las Vegas, LA and Miami. This gives me the ability to bring Bermuda an up to the minute, global sense of fashion for those in the know and those who want to know. That’s what its all about.
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Are you planning to have any fashion shows? If so, please elaborate.
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Yes, we have something big in the works, which will take place in the next couple of weeks. A private function, for our valued customers. Something to be remembered and talked about for a long time. Our successful Miss Italia in Bermuda, is still in the cards for next spring and this is something we also look forward to as we will send a Bermudian on a 5000 EURO contract for two weeks to work at Sasch in Italy. If there is a contestant that meets the requirements for the pageant, she would travel to Italy to compete. Any girl that is a resident in Bermuda, should make herself known to Marco at Sasch.
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What are your feelings revolving around fashion in Bermuda?
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Fashion has come a long way in Bermuda over the years. Internet access, music videos and fashion magazines have contributed to an awareness. Bermudians have always been forward thinking in their fashion sense and have no problem keeping up. I feel Bermuda is able to provide a well balanced selection and I do believe in ‘Buy Bermuda’. |
| What lines do you carry? |
Mambo is my baby. The lines that we carry at Mambo are True Religion, Diesel, Custo Barcelona, Miss Sixty, Energie, Just Cavalli , Galliano and Anthony Vega from Miami.These are all my favorites in one place. Nothing beats the icon of Diesel or a pair of Trues and a Custo or Cavalli top ! I am very pasionate about these lines and I believe in them strongly.
Our kids store carries Kids True Religion too and will be unveiling the Bindi Collection from Australia, mid April.
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What makes you stand out in the crowd morethan others in your business?
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| I believe in customer service, a more personal approach. A satisfied customer is one who will return. I work on the sales floor all day, I like to see everybody even if you just come to visit. It is important to get feedback from the customers as they are the ones we aim to please. I love what I do! |
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