Salon owner hails wife as ‘mastermind’ behind winning window display

A BEAUTY salon in Henley has been crowned the winner of Henley’s Christmas window display competition.

Mayor Tom Buckley presented Raymond Duong, managing director of Amour Beaute, with a bottle of Fairmile Vineyard wine, a certificate and £100.

The store, which opened in Henley in 2017, was the first of three prize winners in the competition run by the town council.

Staff at the shop had decorated its storefront with a Christmas tree, baubles and a large fir garland.

Mr Duong said: “It’s a nice surprise because we have never won in the past. We just decorated it for ourselves as we wanted to make it lovely.

“We did it a bit earlier this year but we didn’t think anything of it — and then we won.”

Mr Duong said he wanted to thank his wife, My Ha, whom he described as the “mastermind” behind the decorations.

Tina Andrews, who has been a regular at the salon for seven years, said she was pleased to hear about the win. She said: “Ray is the best nail technician. As per the service, the window is wonderful.”

Second prize was awarded to Jules, a clothing boutique in Hart Street, which was awarded £75 and presented with a certificate by Cllr Buckley.

The shop was decorated with evergreen garlands with bows and a wreath.

Owner Jules Smith said it was “absolutely fab” to be announced as the runner-up and that the award had coincidentally come on the one-year anniversary of the store’s opening.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “I always aim to have my decorations up around when the Christmas shopping is.”

Third place was awarded to Coppa Club in Bell Street. Manager Livia Viveiros and waitress Fatima Fernandes were presented with a certificate and £50.

The restaurant was decorated with lights in its windows, and its giant clockface on the outside of the building was wrapped in a festive wreath.

Ms Viveiros said that it was nice to have been recognised. She said: “I didn’t expect it. I thought lots of businesses did well in the town. It’s a great achievement for us.”

Cllr Buckley also presented an award to the best-dressed vendor at Henley’s bi-monthly Farmers’ Market.

The winner, Ana Guzman from Maya Mexican Food, was dressed as a Christmas Tree and was presented with a bottle of wine.