Bang Bang
One Family, One Vision

The Bang Bang retail chain, known for its’ trendy, easy-breezy, flair and versatile clothing, is owned and operated by the Fletcher family with the visionaries, Ambrosia and Michael Fletcher, leading the way.

The company manufactured its’ Ambrosia brand of women’s fashion for over fifteen years and has been a pioneer in Trinidad and Tobago’s fashion industry since its inception in the early 70’s. 

It was matriarchal head, Ambrosia Fletcher (formerly Castillo), who started the journey. She was born in Maracas, St.Joseph, and then moved to D'abadie with her parents and nine siblings. She has had a colourful beginning that gifted her irreplaceable experiences, from spending time on a farm, to starting a community school and traveling and living in Canada. Ambrosia was driven to be the best and jokes that she was the fastest at pounding tonka bean (fruit).

Ambrosia became more involved in the burgeoning fashion scene when she returned to Trinidad. She modeled at Haileys School of Charm, and started a model group with friends Ingrid Dash, Claudia Pegus and other young women. The group – featured in the local newspaper as 'go-getters' – supported local design and craft, and most would transform into iconic success stories in their own right...like Ambrosia herself.

Always the enterprising individual, she tutored herself in dressmaking and design, and opened her first boutique, Ambrosia's Boutique, downstairs of the Government constituency office in Arouca.

It was around this time that she also met her husband, Michael Fletcher, who would become her future business partner. Ambrosia’s Boutique moved to the Scarlet Ibis Hotel on the Eastern Main Road, where the business duo also started Ambrosia's Garment Factory, which specialized in sewing garments for the boutique and other local stores.

Ambrosia's designs were widely acclaimed and featured in local newspapers including the Evening News, and were photographed by renowned photographers Rudy Taylor and Herbert Alexander. Her specialty was creating clothes for working women that were practical, attractive, elegant and fuss-free.

Ambrosia and Michael managed their successful small business through many trials and tribulations. But after years of creating local clothing, and dealing with unfavourable changes in the regional market, they diversified into importing clothes for retail; they further developed their business, achieving no small feat in creating a recognizable and iconic name in the retail industry.

Bang Bang, the new retail store, was housed in Tunapuna for a number of years, before branching off to its renowned location in Trincity Mall (1985). This was its’ first mainstream location and remained the home for Bang Bang for twenty-five years till present.  

Ambrosia’s trustworthy style and flair ensures that her stores are well-stocked with the latest trends. Her charming home decor and impressive garden is a testament to her style; her garden is in fact her sanctuary, as she enjoys planting and caring for her wide selection of flora.

The Bang Bang Legacy

Having a beautiful home with a put-together family life is important to both her and Michael, and has been vital to perpetuating the Bang Bang legacy.

They grew a fashion loving family, all groomed in entrepreneurial life. Their five children Yohan, Yosan, Tameika, Yosiah and Tamara each participate in the growth and development of the family business. Some branched off creating new outlets and names in the industry with the same great style, service and entrepreneurial fervor.

Yosan Fletcher, who has had many years experience managing the family’s clothing stores and five years experience managing an outlet for one of the biggest clothing chains in Europe, returned to Trinidad with a ‘Bang’ with his European flavor. As a result, Bang Bang’s unique layout and exciting decor is a feature attraction.

His younger brother, Yosiah Fletcher, a UWI Business Management graduate, is the CEO of 212 Location: a trendy clothing, shoes and accessories store. He is also the lead purchaser for Bang Bang and its affiliate. He is known for his eye for style and his runway styling skills. He has worked in the local fashion industry and with various photographers, media personalities and artists.

Tameika Fletcher-Birmingham, her mother’s daughter, with her distinct style and flair, is a communications professional, who has worked in the aviation industry for the last five years and is VP Professional Development IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) T&T Chapter, who recently became a full-time entrepreneur.

Tameika started designing her jewellery line K-ollectibles seven years ago until she opened Bead Café to offer much needed products and services to develop the local jewellery and accessories market, creating the first full service bead store in Trinidad and Tobago.

Tameika has been featured many times in Trinidad and Tobago’s local newspapers and Caribbean magazines.  She is also a ‘mom-preneur’ who coordinates Bang Bang’s public relations and marketing initiatives.