THERE is a new ‘‘passion for fashion’’ in Mount Isa and it has taken the form of new shop owner Kelly McClelland.
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Mrs McClelland bought the business earlier this month and isin the process of putting a little bit of ‘‘Kelly’’ into the fashion store, which will be renamed ‘‘Kel’s Omorose’’.
“Omorose is old French for beauty,” she said. “We have done a lot of painting, have new lighting fixtures coming in and a few new cabinets, plus we have extended our opening hours.”
Earlier this year some of you will remember a local mother contracted the deadly influenza virus, swine flu H1 N1 strain and ended up in a coma.
That was Mrs McClelland.
After multiple organ failure, collapsed lung, massive bleeds and having to be resuscitated twice she wasn’t expected to live, let alone be ‘‘normal’’ ever again. “But I have won!” she said.
“After many months of rehabilitation and recovery I am now ready to give back to the community who so dearly and overwhelmingly supported myself and my family at such a hard time in our lives.”
Mrs McClelland said after being sick, doctors told her to forget any career that required her to be on her feet for long periods.
“So when the opportunity to buy the store came up, I couldn’t get the idea out of my mind, and now here we are,” she said.
“I love helping people and knowing that they feel better in themselves, I love the fact that girls walk out of here feeling like a million dollars.
“I’m just a mum of three kids, life hasn’t been easy and I know what it’s like to struggle on a budget. I know what it’s like to try to find clothes that fit me comfortably but still have a bit of spunk about them. And I know what it’s like to drag kids around while you’re trying to shop.”
Mrs McClelland said shoppers could look forward to a number of exciting changes, including a range of swimwear that fits sizes 8 to 24 and even caters to women who have undergone mastectomy.
“I have a wide range of clothing here, from what the teenagers are into, to things my grandmother would wear.
“I am also expanding our formal range and starting to stock bridal gowns as well.”
The most expensive bridal gowns on the racks is still under $1000, said Mrs McClelland who will also be branching out into bridal jewellery and accessories.
“Every Saturday we do a different mocktail in store just for something fun.”
Kel’s Omorose is open tomorrow from 9am to 2pm in the Simpson Central Arcade.
