Temptation owners Karin Amort [left] and Johanna Unterholzner.  Photo by Steven Knipp

By Steven Knipp
steve@caymannetnews.com

Friends Karin Amort and Johanna Unterholzner had been happily working in the same field for some 10 years before they decided to open their own specialized boutique – Temptation, at Treasure Island on West Bay Road, along Seven Mile Beach.

But the two ladies, who were both born in the far north of Italy, close to the Swiss and Austrian borders, had always worked in the Food & Beverage industry.

And, even when they decided to come to sunny Cayman some five years ago, they continued to work in the restaurant trade. Johanna went to work at Grand Old House in South Cove, while Karin worked at The Wharf, and later at the Lobster Pot in George Town.

Later the duo joined the staff of Daily Grind, but they always held tightly to their livelong passion and interest in fashion.

“It’s really natural for Italian people to think of fashion, and even little girls in Italy grow up with images and pictures of fashionable people constantly all around them,” says Karin with a laugh.

“It’s just in the genetic make-up of Italians,” says Johanna. “Everything in Italy - from cars and clothing, to watches and shoes - is designed to be as fashionable and eye-catching as possible. It’s a way of life, and it can be fun.”

Finally in December 2006 they opened Temptation on the Ground Floor of Treasure Island resort. “Our timing was really good,” recalls Karin, “because it was, of course, the middle of the peak tourist period and also the Christmas season was just beginning.”

When the two sat down to plan their business venture they wanted to make sure that they could secure a special niche in a highly competitive market, “where everyone knows everyone”, so they ruled out having a boutique that carried a little bit of everything. “We definitely did not want a department store,” says Karin.

“So we decided to specialise in just two things: high-end ladies lingerie and ladies bathing suits,” adds Johanna.

“We wanted people, whenever they think of bathing suits or lingerie, to always first think of Temptation!” says Karin. “Five years ago, there was a very limited selection of this type of clothing, only really two or three shops offered it and their selection was quite tiny.”

Aside from being selective in the product which they sold, the two business partners wanted to specifically offer only Italian-made swimwear and underwear. Asked why only Italian- made, both ladies chimed in: “Because it’s the best!”

The boutique carries a wide range of designer beach wear and lingerie, including such renown names as Roberto Cavalli – “the first shop in Cayman to carry this line” - Dolce & Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Verdissima, and Verde Veronica, the last of which is especially popular among Dubai’s oil rich fashionistas and the rich young people in Russia’s new Moscow, says Karin.

In spite of such renown brand names, both ladies say that Temptation’s prices are well within the range for most women who want something special, or for husbands or boyfriends who want to buy the women they love something special. Costs range from just $50 to about $300 for special items.

Along with their exclusive product line, Karen says that a shopper will receive special attention at Temptation. “For example, we don’t just have bras in small, medium and large; we have a complete range of all sizes, so you will get the perfect fit. There are so many bra brands that we could probably fill the entire shop with them. But here we have selected the best.” Aside from lingerie and bathing suits, Temptation also sells elegant sarongs, sun dresses, and PJs. And the fabrics available include everything from cotton and silk, to a super soft material called bamboo fibre that is, yes, made from bamboo.

Most of Temptation’s clients range in age from 30 to 45, with some younger. But no matter what the current fashions are, both Karin and Johanna insist that they will not sell a customer something trendy, if they do not feel comfortable in it, or which does not look good on them. “We want you to be happy when you leave our shop,” says Johanna, so that you will be happy to return.” Adds Karin: “We sincerely want you to look good, because if you look good, that makes us look good, too.”

Temptation is open Monday till Thursday, 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10:00am until 7:00pm. Treasure Island, Unit 6, West Bay Road, Seven Mile Beach, Tel: 746-0525, www.temptationcayman.com.