The upper floor of the Walker Arcade in Hamilton is undergoing a renaissance with the recent influx of retailers such as Cube and Qui-Ja Fabric Accessories making their mark on the fashion scene.

Qui-Ja Fabric Accessories, the Island?s only fabric store operated from the ground floor of Walker Arcade for the past six years, but with business boosted by with Gibbons? Company discontinuing its fabric lines last year, the store moved to the second floor in April to fill in a gap in the market.

?More demand came our way for materials and the space we had was getting hard to manage and so moving to our new location gives us more room to display our products,? Jarizhino Simmons, part owner of Qui-Ja, said.

The store carries a wide assortment of fabrics and accessories as well as hand bags and jewellery. As a family-owned business Laquita Simmons and her son Jarizhino have combined their talents for dressmaking and jewellery attire to offer a one-stop service.

?We cater to both to young and mature clients looking to make outfits such as ball gowns or wedding dresses and other special events,? Ms Simmons said.

A self taught dressmaker Ms Simmons has been making dresses since she was teenager and is more than willing to share her knowledge of fabrics to those looking to create special outfits for important occasions.

In May Yvonnne and Domenico Cacace expanded their chain of stores with the opening of Cube also on the second floor of Walker Arcade, above the couple?s stores IANA, Mambo, Stefanel, Sasch and Quattro.

Cube targets fashion conscious men and women with casual lines including Miss Sixty, Diesel and Custo.

?The merchandise we have at Cube expands on the lines we have at Mambo. We had a very good start when we opened but now we have steady business and with other businesses in this location we hope to see more business,? Mr. Cacace said.

While situated on the ground floor of the Walker Arcade, Sparkle Fashion Jewellery Boutique presents a unique line of custom made jewellery, handbags and sun glasses.

Owned by Gina and Isaac Brown, Sparkle opened in April after Ms Brown decided she could respond to the market for costume jewellery of an eclectic nature and the designs she favours have met with an enthusiastic response from friends and clients.

?I am a very creative person and the style of our jewellery is unique. We have chunky jewellery, soft and dainty jewellery, eye catching necklace sets and earrings, high end pieces and evening jewellery, so there is something that will appeal to anybody,? Ms Brown said. ?Women should celebrate who it is they are and costume jewellery, inexpensive as it may be, will give them a boost and a sense of style.?