‘School of Beauty’
Anarieta teaches young girls, women to become lady
ON September 16, 1989, The Fiji Times published an article about a young woman who had established a School of Beauty in Suva where she taught young girls and grown women alike, how to become a lady.
“Any woman can be a lady no matter if you’re a housewife, a government minister’s wife, or a university student,” said Anarieta Bose in a message to her students, in the hope it would uplift the spirits of local women.
“Here at the school, we teach them how to look better, how to improve their posture, skincare, and make-up, even down to their eating habits.”
Ms Bose had a vision of the school 12 years prior when she first joined the country’s tourism industry. After 10 years of experience, she wanted to do something different, so she applied for a deportment course that was being offered in Rockhampton, Queensland.
She underwent a sevenweek course at the Treacy and Dean College, left with a Diploma in Deportment, and then went on to apply for another course at the Queensland School of Beauty in Brisbane where she completed 12 units.
Initially, she had tried to establish a cultural exchange program between tourists and locals in Suva after her return to Fiji in April, however, it wasn’t as successful as she had hoped despite promoting it in hotels with brochures.
“Then I decided to use what I had learned and establish a school.”
With the help of business partner Geoffrey Dewar, she raised $10,000 from Westpac to buy and renovate a suitable house on Gordon St.
Less than a month later, they managed to install a catwalk, seats, mirrors and other basic facilities. At this point, two classes had graduated with the third underway.
“Our first customers were businesswomen who were very keen to learn how to maintain and preserve a lady-like image.
“I love to have students come here and want it to become part of the secondary school’s curriculum.”
Classes were held at 10pm-12am and 6.30pm – 8.30pm on weekdays but learning time varied according to demand.
A lot of the graduates had formed their club called “My Fair Lady”, to preserve what they had learned through the school. The biggest problem was, of course, money.
“We’ll probably need around $20,000 to get everything into shape. Applications have been given for a loan from the Fiji Development Bank and now we’re just waiting for a reply.
“Once the school is completed, participants will be able to do everything from making their dresses to hairstyling and manicuring. Our course is very important for all women across the social spectrum, no matter what job they hold.”
Any woman can be a lady no matter if you’re a housewife, a government minister’s wife, or a university student – Anarieta Bose