commercial side of her fame, has gone into business for the first time 14 years after being crowned.

Mrs. Gina Swainson-Jovetic, as she is now known following her marriage last year to Port o' Call restaurant Maitre d' Mr. Peter Jovetic, has opened Gina of Bermuda.

Located opposite a statue of herself on the ground floor of the Emporium Building, on Front Street, Hamilton, the store offers a full range of own-brand cosmetics.

Mrs. Swainson-Jovetic, 34, said that it was only now, one year after giving birth to her first child, a son, that she felt settled enough to go into business.

"I know that I've not capitalised on the financial aspects of becoming Miss World,'' she said.

"But I did not have the desire to do this at the time. Most people who criticise me do not understand that.

"I was more interested in furthering my development. I did not want to be tied down to anyone or anything. Instead, I did a lot of travelling, saw a lot and did a lot. I don't regret any of that.'' Even now, her only concession to exploiting her former glory lies with a blown-up version of an official commemorative postage stamp showing her face, which is displayed discreetly inside her store.

Mrs. Swainson-Jovetic said that she learned a lot about cosmetics from the professionals who attended her during various photo shoots after she became famous.

One of the primary motivating factors for opening up a cosmetics store was the dearth of products on sale locally which cater specifically for black women.

"I've always had problems finding colours for myself,'' she said. "I've always had to mix and match.'' In order to promote this "mix and match'' business philosophy, all the products on sale at her store cost six dollars. "This will allow customers to experiment with different colours without paying too much money,'' she added.

"Most people tend to stick to the same colours all the time because of the cost involved in trying something new. At six dollars an item, people can now afford to experiment.'' Her cosmetics are divided into two colour groups: `cool' colours, ranging from rose to red and mauve to plum, and `warm' colours, ranging from coral to russet and nude (neutral) to tan.

All the products are brought in directly from a manufacturer in the United States and carry the Gina of Bermuda label.

BEAUTY AND THE BRONZE -- Mrs. Gina Swainson-Jovetic outside her new store in the Emporium Building.