Two past students of Meadowbrook High have pooled their talents to forge a successful partnership that is igniting the fashion world in ethnic communities in New York. They have also secured celebrity endorsements from such names as Shensea, Pamputtae, and Dancehall Queen Nickiesha.

The two are Shenile Simmons, owner of Hair Exquisite boutique, and Renae Brackett Biggs, owner of Fentii Couture, an online store that complements the services offered by Hair Exquisite Boutique.

After migrating to the United States in 2006, Brackett Biggs pursued her love for fashion. Fentii Couture was later developed in May 2017 as an online store which complements the work done at the brick and mortar store, Hair Exquisite Boutique, owned by Shenile Simmons.

“The store currently caters to females of all sizes. We are reliable and we have got orders from celebrities like Pamputtae and Shensea who love our fashion sense. I am looking to expand by bringing in male fashion as well as having store outlets in the Caribbean and the United States. One of my main objectives, however, is to start designing my own fashion as designing is my forte and to bring my own unique style of classic, unique, high fashion to the runway,” said Brackett Biggs.

“I am more affordable than others who have a similar service and I cater for plus size, slender and medium, plus I believe in using style as an outlet for self-expression so I get people and what they are trying to say with their outfits,” she continued.

Brackett’s business partner, Simmons, came to New York in 2004 after graduating. She completed her education in the US, pursuing an associate degree in Business Management and a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communication with a minor in Psychology.

“After college, I worked as a manager in a department store. I’ve always wanted to start my own business but wasn’t sure what kind of business,” said Simmons.

In 2012, she began experimenting with custom wigs.

“People started to ask questions about my wigs and asking me to make them one, so from there I started taking orders for wigs. I decided to make it into a business and in 2014 I opened my own brick and mortar store, Hair Exquisite Boutique, where I now make custom wig units and sell virgin human hair,” she said.

She is seeking to expand her business by opening up a few more locations in the United States and Jamaica.