AsiaLIFE

Tired of the teeny-tiny jean sizes at the market? Searching for a new look? We have just the place for you. Words by Julie Masis.

There are not that many Cambodian success stories that marry a Canadian and a Nigerian, but there again how many sweet souls are there in town?

Sweet Soul, the hip hop boutique, offers clothes for youthful rebels and the young at heart – oversized t-shirts featuring portraits of rap singers such as Tupac and Notorious B.I.G., hoodies with skulls on them, sleeveless basketball jerseys, baggy jeans, and skateboarding shoes.

Far-removed from the mild mannered image you might have of a Canadian kindergarten teacher, but that was Jenevieve Nowakowski’s profession before opening Sweet Soul with her Nigerian husband, Tony Okeke.

Originally from Calgary, Jenevieve never thought she would end up running a clothes store in Cambodia. “I couldn’t even imagine living in Cambodia,” she said. “I thought I would come for a visit and see what happens.”

But fate had other plans.

She met and fell in love with Tony. Soon after, the happy couple had a baby – 20-month-old Malachi who now runs around the store causing all sorts of trouble in a t-shirt that says, “Dad’s Hero.”

The shop opened last October but recently, after moving to a new location, the duo decided to add a hair salon.

“The barbershop brings in a steady flow of income, because everyone needs a haircut,” says Jenevieve, adding that Khmer barbers really don’t know how to do a good job with African hair. “Especially for young black men, it’s really hard to get a good cut.”

Tucked at the back of the hip hop clothing store the hair salon offers braiding, corn-rows, fades, hair extensions and other African hair styles. You can even get your initials shaved into your head if you want. The place stocks a hair-straightening chemical called Sportin’ Waves, that is otherwise impossible to find in Cambodia.

The barbershop is perhaps the latest illustration of the growing African population in Phnom Penh. An increasing number of African business people who ship clothes from Asia to Africa make Cambodia their base.

“Cambodia is a great place to live,” says Tony. “Visas are easily obtained, and it’s so affordable.”

In addition to customers from Africa, the store also attracts expat men who need larger size clothing as well as Khmer hip hop and break-dance enthusiasts.

Hip hop music and clothing is becoming more popular in Cambodia,” says Jenevieve, “partially because of the influence of western television.” To attract more Khmer customers, Sweet Soul recently added smaller sizes for local break-dancers.

While the shop currently sells mostly men’s clothing, Jenevieve has plans to add hip hop styles for ladies and is designing her own high-heeled shoes as, she says, she’s yet to find a decent pair of heels in the Kingdom.

Sweet Soul, 19 Street 172, Tel. 099 529 948. Open 10am – 8pm Mon-Sat, Sundays 12 – 8pm.