When you walk into Tracey Ryan’s new Fashion Profile shop, you may notice there’s something familiar about the way it looks. That’s because the shop has been kitted out with the now-closed Tahiti Hut shop fittings.

“Tahiti Hut was on Molesworth Street for over 40 years and when the owner Reg closed a few weeks ago, he wanted to sell the fittings and we got a great deal on them,” Tracey said.

“Reg was so proud that it is still around, because he put so much work into designing it and building it – and it suits the new shop perfectly.”

Bigger mark

Last week, Tracey moved her shop from its old location in Woodlark Street’s Mathers Arcade to a much larger space on the same street – to where Daley’s used to be. Now she is ready to make a bigger mark on Lismore’s fashion scene with a broader range of clothes and jewellery.

Moving her shop after trading for 30 years in the same location was something Tracey shared with Daley’s owner Matthew Healy. Earlier this year, Matthew had also decided to move his shop around to Keen Street, after trading in one location for decades.

“Matthew and I had already opened an Emporium business together in Evans Head, along with Trea’s Shoes - and so we chatted about me taking over his old shop space,” Tracey said.

“I spoke to the owner and he was happy to see a long term business take over the space and gave me a good discount off the rent for me on a 12 months lease, which was a great incentive.

Cooperation

“The building has been locally owned for about 80 years – so it’s great to see these long established businesses cooperating – and on the walls now we have Reg’s old Tahiti Hut fit out too.”

While Tracey’s new shop space is about four times bigger than the old one, she said there’s not much more stock, but it seems like so much more. As you look around at the racks, beautiful boho dresses and natural fibre garments seem to smile out at you, asking for attention.

“We would usually double hang at this time of year, but now we can spread everything out,” Tracey said.

Swimwear for ‘real’ women

“We still have the sale and out of season clothes racks at back I have a nice range of ladies swimwear arriving soon. It’s for women with real bodies,” Tracey laughed.

“ Women who need swimwear to suck them in in places and cover bits they are uncomfortable with. We sell them in Evans Head and I thought we would give them a go here.”

Classy Jewellery

Tracey said while she still sells the same kinds of bling and beads costume jewellery as before, she has also has been buying some classy jewellery pieces to sell.

“I have a range of Milan hand blown glass pendants inspired by the sea,” she said. “They are gorgeous and individually hand blown.

“I also have local, hand-made pendant ornaments made with stained glass that a friend makes.

‘Younger’ fashion

Tracey recently began to branch out into fashions more suitable for younger people. There’s a boho range, but also clothes that are suitable for all age groups.

“My 24 year old hippie daughter loves a lot of the stuff here,” Tracey said.

“I’ve always loved jumpsuits and big wide leg linen pants – now I have a broader range of them. Like these camoflage print pants that are all stretch cotton and made in Italy.

“Our clothes range has always been is 90% cotton or natural fibre.

Clothes sizes range from 10 to 20, but some brands can be special ordered in at bigger sizes.

With Christmas coming, Tracey has also been making sure there’s some red and green dresses on the racks and Tracey invites everyone to come in and say hi to the friendly staff Sandra, Carla and Karen.

Fashion Profile is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. You can find the new shop at 21 Woodlark Street, Lismore. 

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