Designs on success

contents

Who We Are

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is the regional export development and trade and investment promotion organisation of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM).

The CARIFORUM Member States are: Antigua and Barbuda

Dominican Republic

St. Lucia

Bahamas

Grenada

St. Kitts and Nevis

Barbados

Guyana

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Belize

Haiti

Suriname

Dominica

Jamaica

Trinidad and Tobago

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It's in the Bag

Husband and wife team Ava and Mark Daniel create high-end designer bags from their home/studio/office in Barbados.

Orange Gallery in Belize operates an ecoconscious manufacturing business.

Touism Intelligence provides sustainable solutions for businesses in the hospitality industry.

Sub Regional Office Calle Carlos Lora No.9; Ensanche Los Restauradores; Santo Domingo; Dominican Republic; Tel: (809) 532-2411; Fax: (809) 473-7532; Email: c.export@codetel.net.do

Hung-Wee Lee shares the importance of design and innovation for Coop Bambu and companies like it.

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COTTON-PICKING SENSE

A company in Barbados is trying to revive Sea Island Cotton.

32 | Photo Gallery

14 | Orange is green

16 | Smarts and sustainability

Head Office Mutual Building, Hastings Main Road; Christ Church, BB15154; P.O. Box 34B, Brittons Hill Post Office; St. Michael, BB14000, Barbados; Tel: +1(246) 436-0578; Fax: +1(246) 436-9999; Email: info@carib-export.com

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Cooperation makes it happen

Product of Design Caribbean

20 | ART AS JEWELLERY A Barbadian designer makes a business out of her expressions.

24 | Indigenous BUSINESS An Amerindian family in Guyana band together to empower indigenous tribes in their homeland.

34 | Beyond the ordinary 速

A Surinamese jeweller and his wife produce amazing work.

36 | Progression in amber A Dominican Republic craftsman turns a tradition into a lifelong business.

26 | LONGeVITY IN LEATHER Husband and wife team brave hard times to emerge successful.

Visit us at www.carib-export.com Visit Design Caribbean at www.designcaribbean.com 3

about design caribbean®

Our Focus

Inspired by the passion and talent of distinguished and

Our Vision To realize the true value of the region’s export potential through sustainable innovation and the creation of world class brands capable of successfully competing globally.

aspiring artists, Design Caribbean brings the region’s finest handmade designs and innovative products onto the world stage.

Much more than a trade show, Design Caribbean encapsulates the spirit of design to “Celebrate the

Our Mission

Beautiful” by showcasing a broad range of handmade

To increase the competitiveness of the Caribbean countries by providing

quality products. The event connects artists to buyers,

quality trade and investment development and promotion services through

and design enthusiasts from the Caribbean region,

effective programme execution and strategic partnerships.

North America and Europe. Design Caribbean is an experience of the diversity and splendor that breathes vibrancy into the Caribbean region.

Design Caribbean is organized by Caribbean Export - a trade, export development and investment promotion agency, representing 15 member states in the CARIFORUM region, whose mandate is to “Take Caribbean excellence to the world.”

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Chairperson's message "proud, bold and creative" are just three words that can be used to describe Caribbean artisans and the works they

are able to

produce. Caribbean creative industries and the achievements of our cultural practitioners has impacted not just a region of distinct languages Ambassador Rosalyn Hazelle Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Caribbean Export Development Agency

"Proud", "Bold", "Creative" – these words convey the essence of Caribbean Beauty and Caribbean Identity which are the standard bearers of Design Caribbean.

The stories in this publication, Designs on Success, will inspire the region – not just to reveal the potential of our creative talent, but more importantly, to prove beyond doubt that the Caribbean’s talent, when properly supported, can transform individual artistes and artisans to successful entrepreneurs. The stories in this publication will also inspire and fuel Caribbean Export’s enhanced focus on supporting the export of the best Caribbean talent to the rest of the world.

Design Caribbean reflects the Agency’s ambition of raising the bar - of repositioning the Caribbean brand in culture and creativity.

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and cultures, but has positively inspired the World.

Design Caribbean, reflects Caribbean Export’s objective of enhancing competitiveness of CARIFORUM firms through product development, market expansion and export diversification.

Design Caribbean seeks to redress the imbalance between imports of hand made items from larger markets like China or India, and to stimulate a celebration of our own, our own beauty, our own skills, our own value and our own products Design Caribbean will make it easy for Hotel Gift Shops and general home stores in the region to access this quality type of product in one or several convenient location(s).

In the background of all this beauty, an intensive process of collaboration across

cultures, languages and locations made this project one of the most ambitious in the history of the Agency. The presence of the Best of the Best craft products from more than 15 countries in the region, was not only a first, it represents a bold and deliberate attempt to help bridge the cultural and trade gap between CARICOM and the Dominican Republic and other countries within and outside of the CARIFORUM region.

Designs on Success is a first clear indication, resulting from Design Caribbean that new relationships have been forged and will endure and serve the region well.

Caribbean Export is committed Design Caribbean, as a vehicle collaboration, and a vehicle building a culture of trust and

innovation.

It is through our culture, our shared experiences, our appreciation for each other's arts, crafts, music, food (rum!), that we get to know and trust each other and pave the way for increased trade.

Without the contributions of our international financial partners, none of this would be possible, I therefore thank the European Union, the International Trade Centre, the Inter-American Development Bank, GIZ and the commercial sponsors for their support and commitment to the region’s creative industries and invite you, like me … to BUY CARIBBEAN!

to for for of 7

T

he Caribbean Export Development Agency, has over the last year undertaken a restructuring of its organization in order to reorient the agency to more readily meet the needs of its 15 constituent member states and increase its relevance to the private sector throughout the region.

Significantly we have for the first time in addition to new sections on innovation and competitiveness as well as market intelligence, established a unit on the creative industries which will be responsible for driving our engagement in the promotion of the creative sector and developing a coherent strategic road map for the development of the sector at all levels.

We have redefined our internal processes and our partnerships to assume an enhanced and impactful engagement in the development of the creative industries sector of the CARIFORUM region.

Caribbean Export has determined that it is critical to move beyond the attendance at trade shows as a means in themselves, but intends to actively engage buyers at the international level and increase the competitiveness of our exports from the region. We are committed to the long term sustainable development of competitive brands on the world stage that would create economic sustainability for regional producers. This new approach was most recently executed in the launch of the rebranded CGCS – Design Caribbean, which was launched in the Dominican Republic in September 2011 in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

FOREword Pamela Coke-Hamilton Executive Director, Caribbean Export Development Agency 8

This publication Designs on Success conveys several success stories emanating from that show including an offer from Oscar de la Renta to Exclusive Cottons to discuss making a line of clothing from our valuable sea island cotton; another Barbadian producer of high end bags has been invited by an investor to tour the set up in Manhattan Garment District with full backing for production. Smaks Tea, out of Trinidad & Tobago made significant inroads during Design Caribbean and has since received offers to supply his new line of

West Indian teas to a hotel chain; another jewellery maker out of Barbados has been invited back to Dominicana Moda to display their jewellery and pursue market opportunities worldwide.

These are just some of the stories and Caribbean Export will be working actively with these producers to ensure that the opportunities created are fully realized.

But as we embark on this new strategic direction, it is important to point out that the regional policy framework for the development and promotion of the creative industries continues to significantly lag behind the rapid developments within the sector itself.

Any conversation with creative industry players in the region will reveal a myriad of stories that clearly indicate an absence of a full understanding of the importance of this industry in transforming the economic viability of the region and catapulting us beyond the economic malaise in which we now find ourselves.

Inspite of the clear evidence of the contribution of the creative industries to our region’s economy, we continue to pour scarce resources into long dead industries that will never be able to move us up the ladder of economic sustainability. The billions that have been poured in to products based on a plantation model economic approach, if committed to the creative sector would have exponential returns far beyond any gained in the last fifty years from traditional agricultural products.

them. Caribbean Export is committed to marry ideas and talent with the business models designed for success. We need to show to our peoples, the profiles of how we as a people have translated potential and untapped domestic tacit knowledge into unique products and have innovated consistently to create livelihoods for ourselves, our families and our region. Caribbean Export is excited about the promise of Designs on Success and will continue to be at the forefront of this move to take Caribbean Excellence to the World.

Please enjoy the publication as we look at ourselves through the eyes and the stories of these entrepreneurs who have forged through to inspire others to transform talent and potential into success.

We look forward to working with each of you… to take the excellence of the Caribbean…to the World.

Caribbean Export has determined that it is critical to move beyond the attendance at trade shows as a means in themselves, but intends to actively engage buyers at the international level and increase the competitiveness of our exports from the region.

We need to begin to pump those funds into the development of innovative frameworks for the development of new ideas and products from the creative industries. To protect the intellectual property rights of our creators and ensure that this sector is given the respect and place it deserves in the design of our internal and external trade policy. We need to begin to invest in mechanisms that will provide for the collection of data to inform the industries development and increase export earnings.

We also need to begin to retrain our financial houses on the inherent value of ideas and how to ascribe value to 9

ucked among lush green plants and trees on the south coast of Barbados, the mosaic courtyard and breezy open-plan of Ava and Mark Daniel’s home/ studio/office offers an idyllic picture of Caribbean living.

Warm concrete floors, rich colours, natural elements large sculptural pieces and varied artwork infuse the space with Avark’s signature flair. Avark, a combination of the founders’ names Ava and Mark, is a multi-faceted design, art and fashion company specialising in hand-painted apparel and accessories. Of the meaning of the name Avark, Mark says “Avark is a stubbornness. It’s a stubbornness to remain focused."

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It's in the Bag

Some years ago, when Ava and Mark were still a young couple, Mark had difficulty finding shirts that he liked in Bridgetown, Barbados. He asked his wife, who could sew, to make one for him and he, being able to paint, painted the shirt. “Well I just walked through town and everybody asked me where I got the shirt from. Then she made a pants and it got to the point where I started walking around with business cards.” It was serendipity and Ava and Mark were prepared to make the most of it. Mark, developed his skills as he worked for a private company painting T-shirts.

clothes while the other half was selling the owner’s products, which were no longer selling well. Mark elaborated on this critical point in their story saying, “She decided she was going to give up the shop. She asked us that question “Do you want to take over the shop?”

We are scared, we don’t know what to do. We said let’s take a chance.” They bit the bullet and within three months of supplying their first eight T-shirts, Ava and Mark owned the store. Call it luck or fate, or as Mark prefers, the Creator, but opportunity knocked for Ava and Mark and they answered.

While there, he saw the potential money to be made if he could do the same work for himself. “I always wanted to run my own business and there was no better opportunity to start it myself so we started painting t-shirts [and] putting them in locations.” Mark relayed the story of how they left eight shirts in one store and within a week, they had sold out. The next week they brought twenty-four shirts and kept increasing until half the store was selling their

While this would be a happy ending for a fairy-tale, Ava and Mark have learnt that business is no fairy-tale.

“You must be talented. You must be prepared to work 24/7.” It has been hard work for them but they have remained dedicated, determined and refreshingly optimistic despite the challenges. Mark has since studied and graduated with qualifications in business as he believes that “Once you become an artist, you have to study business because you’re

a business man.” Mark is well grounded in reality, despite his ongoing optimism and love for his craft. He confessed, “If I

“Well I just walked through town and everybody asked me where I got the shirt from. Then she made a pants and it got the point where I started walking around with business cards.” had that grounding in business, I know I shouldn’t say this, but I don’t know if I would have started this business - I don’t know. Sometimes a little bit of ignorance helps. We had no idea what we were doing but we were prepared to learn.”

Mark and Ava are not afraid to learn the hard way either. The well-travelled path is not the route for this couple.

They would rather hew their own path, enjoying the surprises and challenges of the unknown and unexpected. He says 11

Being the business man that he is, Mark articulated his view on building success for himself and similar Caribbean businesses. “I think we need more shows like Design Caribbean but we need to get the products market and shelf ready.” Mark explained the extensive work of the string of businesses, each specialising in different areas, to get one final product on a supermarket shelf. He added, “If we cant produce everything to put the bags forward, we can do part of it. There are entities across the world that can help bring the product to market. We need to tap into these things. It’s not ok to continue to send people all over the world to show products. It has come to the point where we need to really push a few of them. Get them there. If we can achieve that, we can tag other artists, other designers, young or old, onto them. To me, that should be part of the contract. If you’re going to assist me in moving forward, I must be able to open a gate to help others through rather than one person, one person, one person. We need to open that gate so that other artists, other designers can pass through it.”

Ava & Mark Daniel Owners of Avark

Avark’s studio signage, located on the South Coast of Barbados.

of their perspective and journey, “We wanted to bring something new to the world, not copy what was there, not try to fit in with what was there. It was to bring something new. Even up to now, it’s still a struggle. We are making a bag out of canvas and crocus bag or what we call burlap now. The bag is a high-end bag out of those materials. The obvious thing to do is stop that and follow the trend. The trend is to use leather.” Avark has stuck to its beliefs and continues to create bags predominantly of burlap or similar materials, only using leather to complement the design of the bags.

Bags are not Avark’s only product but of all their creations, the Daniels are most proud of the bags. “Out of everything we’ve done, that product has gotten great response from international buyers... Just think about it, here I am, sitting down in Barbados, [I] know nothing about bags, never went to school to learn how to make a bag but [I’m] going get a buyer who travels the world actually ready to buy this product from [me]. That blew me away!” This has intrigued Mark and he has studied his bags and conducted market research to determine what characteristics about the bags appeal to various people. While the reasons vary by individual, they have found that the “Avark flair”, their effortlessly casual style 12

and their chosen aesthetic, is appealing to many people across the world.

Avark recently participated in Design Caribbean where the experience was unlike other shows they had done. Mark was apprehensive about attending Design Caribbean after having participated in many costly shows that offered no real rewards. It was not that people were not interested in Avark’s work, but rather, they could not capitalise on any orders coming out of the shows. Disappointed with past shows, Mark was not interested in what he thought (at the time) would be a short-sighted and costly venture.

However, just one week before Design Caribbean he was sponsored to attend the show. He says of the experience,

“If I had that grounding in business, I know I shouldn’t say this, but I don’t know if I would have started this business - I don’t know.

Sometimes a little bit of ignorance helps. We had no idea what we were doing but we were prepared to learn.”

“Design Caribbean, I must say was the best thing that happened to us this year, so far. It allowed us to showcase our bags to an international audience...I’ve even had interest from people looking to back the project completely. That blew me away. Design Caribbean was absolutely fantastic. It has cemented in me the drive and the focus to go forward with the bag project.” While Mark acknowledges that some of the same challenges in supply are still present, he is better equipped, coming out of Design Caribbean, to find solutions.

In addition, Avark gained new contacts while in the Dominican Republic that they can now capitalise on in the future.

“We have orders for bags that we cannot fill. We have a movie producer who is willing to showcase the bags in movies.

We have marketing specialists out of the DR [Dominican Republic] who want to market the bag in the DR. We made contact with a boutique who is willing to carry the line. All of these things we cannot capitalise on at this point, but we have interest from an individual who is willing to back the business completely.

What more could you want? We [also] have an interest out of New York who is willing to start twelve bags a month.

Coming out of this show, it has really shown us that we need to go forward.”

“Design Caribbean, I must say was the best thing that happened to us this year, so far. It allowed us to showcase our bags to an international audience..."

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Orange

have to cut down.” In addition to using what would have remained waste in the jungle, Sherard selectively logs each tree for the best use of the wood. “Everything is going to be used and turned into something beautiful,” he emphatically asserts.

iS Green

Julian Sherard Owner of Orange Gallery

lost treasure waiting to be discovered.

range Gallery in Belize is an eco-conscious and environmentally friendly business owned and operated by Julian Sherard. Sherard, who purchased 14

the business in 2007 from his father, is not on an “eco-trip” for the sake of the Orange Gallery’s brand image. Sticking to his focus of original, attention-grabbing creations, Sherard named it the Orange Gallery because he felt that the colour was bright and demanded attention. The “greenness” of the business is intrinsic. Sherard grew up with hippie parents who moved to Belize to live a more simple and natural life. The three “R’s” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) were instilled in him from a young age and he has built the business on that foundation.

Belize has a good supply of trees and wood as a natural resource.

Logs are exported from Belize

but in addition to that, there are rotting roots from previously felled trees in the jungle, a reminder of when the British were there and exported logs from the island. Sherard describes these rotting roots as “lost treasure waiting to be discovered.” He adds, “By taking those roots out of the jungle, we’re not having to cut trees down and then of course the ones that we do cut, they’re minimalised... and we can reduce the amount of trees that we The three “R’s” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) were instilled in him from a young age and he has built the business on that foundation.

This approach has proved financially viable for Sherard as it offers an opportunity for him to create functional art. “If I can take something and make it more than just pleasing to look at - something that we can use.

Whether its a rustic shelving unit where we take a root that was cut down a long time ago, we dig it out of the jungle and bring it here, we stand it up on edge, we clear off all the stuff that's been growing on it or the stuff that was rotting and we make sure that we have a sound piece to start with and then we take other pieces of roots or other pieces of wood and integrate it into shelving that you could say, make into an entertainment centre so you can put your TV on there and your speakers so you look at it and you go “Wow!” Not only is it “wow”, it’s something that you can use.

So it’s beauty and function put together.”

Sherard’s functional art is both unique and high-end. Being green has offered its financial benefits to the Orange Gallery which sells its products in Belize, their gift shop on Ambergris Caye island and at its sister store, “Gallery O”, in Florida. They have managed to remain competitive although they do not mass produce, Orange creates one-of-a-kind pieces. While some pieces may be similar, Sherard admits that nature ensures that each piece is unique. He has found his market among people with discerning tastes who want something that is different, that they can treasure and pass on to their children.

Sherard does not sell to large chain-stores as he cannot meet the demand. While at Design Caribbean 2011, he made contact with smaller buyers from galleries, boutiques and gift shops and has been filling orders from those contacts as well as orders from individual buyers coming out of the experience. As a buyer for his own gallery, Sherard was pleased

with the high quality of work from the exhibitors that participated.

He lamented that he did not have time to explore as he would have liked as a buyer because he was busy with his own products.

Sherard was so impressed with the work that he confessed to spending several thousand US dollars on products from other exhibitors that they will supply to their galleries/gift shop. Design Caribbean was rewarding for Sherard, and he has a greater vision to supply galleries, gift and boutique shops all over the world with the products from Orange Gallery.

Orange Gallery employs local labourers and teaches them the requisite skills

“... we dig it out of the jungle and bring it here, we stand it up on edge, we clear off all the stuff thats been growing on it or the stuff that was rotting and we make sure that we have a sound piece to start with and then we take other pieces of roots or other pieces of wood and integrate it into shelving...”

Julian Sherard shows a unique bowl in the Orange Gallery, Belize 15

Being Sustainble’s furniture can be left out in the rain without fear of damage to the chairs or the cushions. The material is waterproof, yet comfortable. Droplets roll off, can be brushed off or evaporate quickly in the sun.

Smarts and Sustainability W hat do a few locals from the Caribbean know about international

tourism, travel and sustainability? A whole lot, if you ask the global clients of Tourism Intelligence. Tourism Intelligence, an almost twenty year old travel and tourism intelligence consultancy has worked for clients and governments world-wide, including South Africa, Abu Dhabi, Mozambique, Greece, Australia, Singapore and of course the Caribbean, to name a few.

As a Caribbean consultancy, Kevon Wilson, Analyst at Tourism Intelligence, feels that because it is a consultancy from a region that is not among the major economies of the world, that they must not only keep up but stay one step ahead in their knowledge and solutions. With their understanding of the tourism industry, trends and new

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developments, Tourism Intelligence currently operates two other brands in addition to the consultancy: Villa Being, a property in Tobago, which acts as a model for successfully and effectively conducting a sustainable hospitality business; and Being Sustainable which is a furniture manufacturing company that creates sustainable, eco-friendly, hard-wearing, comfortable, and elegant resort furniture.

Through their experience with Villa Being, Tourism Intelligence saw firsthand the effects of sea-blasts, sun, and rain on furniture and the time that was wasted by having staff continuously work to protect or upkeep the furniture.

Being Sustainable was a response to that need for low-maintenance furniture that could remain outdoors

year-round and retain its beauty. Wilson established that “The intelligence, the research, the operations, led to the birth of Being Sustainable.” He continued to explain how the product was developed. “From our research and from our understanding of the hospitality industry, we found a product that is made from recycled plastic mill bottles so it’s very much in keeping with our main focus which is on sustainable tourism and it's a real solution for our clients in the hospitality industry... [The pieces of furniture are] durable, they last and they’re very elegant, very stylish with Caribbean style, Caribbean colours, Caribbean design, but with a European flair.”

Tourism Intelligence, which has supported and worked with Caribbean Export (the producers of Design Caribbean), recently participated in

Being Sustainable is a furniture manufacturing company that creates sustainable, eco-friendly, hard-wearing, comfortable, and elegant resort furniture.

Detail of Being Sustainble’s waterproof material that retains its appearance after continuous exposure to sun, rain, sea-blasts and nature's elements.

Design Caribbean in Santo Domingo with products from the Being Sustainable brand. “We saw it as an important opportunity to showcase the third arm of our business which is Being Sustainable...”, explained Wilson. He also noted that the Dominican Republic is one of the largest tourism markets and Tourism Intelligence took the opportunity to get to know the market there better in order to gain access to that market. Wilson, who was so pleased with the experience that Tourism Intelligence made purchases from other participants, described Design Caribbean as “a fantastic initiative” and added that “We were able to actually meet someone there who is now one of our distributors. So they’re working with us in the Dominican Republic (DR) to target the DR market... for us that was one of the real successes.”

Wilson and Tourism Intelligence have no intention of limiting themselves to the regional market alone. He shared a five year plan for the company that would grow and expand in the tourism sector and other industries. For the Being Sustainable brand, the sky is the limit.

“We want to be able to be seen all over the world... We would like to have our own factory with our own designs... go global!”

“We were able to actually meet someone there who is now one of our distributors.

So they’re working with us in the Dominican Republic (DR) to target the DR market... for us that was one of the real successes.”

Being Sustainable offers furniture in a range of designs and colours.

companies would need to do to be competitive, to stay competitive, is to stay ahead of the game. Think globally.

Yes we operate within the region, yes we are Caribbean companies but at the end of the day you have to think globally. That would be my advice.

Think big! Don’t just see Barbados or St.Lucia or Dominica as your market, or even the region for that matter, look at the entire globe as your market.” Wilson shared one of the keys for accessing the global market, “With the internet, with technology, basically you could be open for 24 hours - selling to China, to the middle east, to anywhere in the world, simply by using the technology. That would be my next advice. Don’t take technology for granted. Don’t take the internet for granted. If you’re not online, consider yourself to be not on sale.”

Kevon Wilson Analyst, Tourism Intelligence

Tourism Intelligence has paved the way for the Being Sustainable brand as it has “gone global.”

With this experience, Wilson offered poignant advice for every Caribbean company on being and remaining competitive. “The first thing Caribbean 17

Cooperation Makes It Happen C

oop Bambu is a project in the Dominican Republic supervised by Taiwanese designer and craftsman, Hung-Wee Lee. Lee, who began the project in 2010, teaches and trains local artisans in bamboo techniques from Taiwan. Students work with bamboo straws to make quality furniture. Lee explained that when he first came to the project, the students, who had previously been interested in working with bamboo, did it for a hobby but with their new training and the formation of the coop, they can now make a business out of it as the group gives the artisans access to new markets through which they can all sell their own creations.

One way that Coop Bambu has helped its artisans has been through its participation in Design Caribbean. Lee felt that Design Caribbean was good for the coop as it gained them access to new markets. The group currently operates and sells only in the Dominican Republic, however the exposure at Design Caribbean was invaluable. Coop Bambu not only sold various pieces on the spot, but they also received orders at the show and had numerous requests for ordering and contact information.

Lee described the most impressive result of their participation in the show: About three weeks after Design Caribbean, he received a call from an attendee of the show in the Dominican Republic who had been impressed with the work of Coop Bambu and had felt that it would suit one of his clients well. He was calling to put in an order for over 300 initial 18

pieces of furniture with the possibility of additional orders pending.

Lee is pleased with how Design Caribbean has contributed to the coop’s success, however he feels that there is more that they must do to improve in business. While he acknowledges that they have come a long way in learning techniques, business knowledge and marketing since the project’s inception, he feels that more attention must be paid to design and innovation if Coop Bambu is to perform to its full potential.

He noted that bamboo furniture and products are often made with the same traditional designs that have been used for many years which makes them uninteresting, unappealing and outdated. He asserts that furniture and product-development companies use both design and innovation to a high degree to create products that are new, fashionable and aesthetically appealing. He added that they featured approximately nine newly designed

...bamboo furniture and products are often made with the same traditional designs that have been used for many years which makes them uninteresting, unappealing and outdated.

pieces at Design Caribbean and it was the new designer pieces that were particularly well liked.

Lee and a local designer are the only designers on the project. He differentiates between designers and artisans noting that the coop is made up mostly of highly skilled artisans who are not designers. “They need to learn about design now” says Lee, who believes that design awareness can help them create more modern and fashionable pieces that can truly compete with international designer furniture. To assist with this, Lee and select Coop Bambu representatives participated in an ITC and Caribbean Export facilitated product design workshop by Italian designer Giulio Vinaccia.

make [something] different [with a] new style of design, you must mix with different kinds of materials.” He recommends looking for new ideas to make bamboo products that incorporate other kinds of materials; researching and experimenting to develop new bamboo or bamboo-based textiles and utilising design to create something that he describes as “efficient in a modern way.”

Lee, whose tenure will end in 2012, has every intention of leaving behind a flourishing and profitable cooperation that can compete with furnishing companies worldwide.

Lee’s tenacity and love for design and skill have served to lay the foundation for the company he envisions.

With regards to innovation, Lee feels that research and development in new bamboo textiles and materials along with the pairing of bamboo with other materials can offer a competitive advantage for Coop Bambu’s furnishings and products in the future. “In my opinion, I hope they go out to look for some different kinds of materials... not just focus on the same materials with the bamboo. We know if you want to

Hung-Wee Lee, Coordinator, Coop Bambu 19

Jewellery as Art Mixed media jewellery pieces by Tiyi by Design at Design Caribbean, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic . from their culture has been good. Since then, people are more curious now, more interested. I’ve had invitations to display or exhibit in certain spaces. It’s been great and it’s been positive.”

ess Dunham anaging Director of Fabric

Ichia Tiyi Founder of Tiyi by Design, Barbados !st Prize Award Winner at Design Caribbean, 2011

old, silver, copper, bronze and other metals have been highly valued for centuries. Seashells, Caribbean seeds and coconut shells are not quite as sought after. However these materials and other found objects all find use in the art of Barbadian artist and metalsmith, Ichia Tiyi. Tiyi is the proud owner of Tiyi

by Design, an exclusive Caribbean brand that specialises in exclusive handcrafted and handmade, one of a kind jewellery.

“I’m an artist and my medium is metal.

[I] try to produce high quality, excellent craftsmanship [with] pure aesthetic design to create beautiful works of art..

As an artist I am looking at design and craftsmanship more than the material worth of the metals. my intent as an artist, as a jewellery artist, was never about the material... it was always about the design and that is what makes Tiyi

by Design distinctive.”

Tiyi’s occupation was not always that of a professional artist, jewellery designer and metal-smith. She says, “ I was working in the corporate sector years ago... but I wasn’t the least bit interested 20

in working in that field and I just started working [on my art]... I don’t know when or how but I always think that this was my job here, to do that. So I started the business, maybe in 1992 or 1993, just playing around with different things and feeling my way through my work... and it just progressed from there to where it is now.”

Tiyi by Design has captured international recognition with its unique pieces of jewellery and art. Tiyi won the Commonwealth Arts and Crafts Award which proved valuable in helping her to develop her skills as a metalsmith as the award gave her the opportunity to study metal product design in Ghana West Africa for a year. In 2011, Tiyi won 1st prize at Design Caribbean in Santo

Tiyi by Design has captured international recognition with its unique pieces of jewellery and art.

Design Caribbean and events like it have especially helped Tiyi in promoting her business “Living in Barbados, getting out is always important. You can always keep your base here but getting out and letting people see what you are about is critical for an artist.” Tiyi continued to articulate a vision for regional entrepreneurs that Design Caribbean has been working to bring to fruition. Regarding the

ability of the Caribbean entrepreneur’s need to compete globally, Tiyi felt that regional businesses should not try to develop products similar or identical to those manufactured in larger countries.

“Because we’re a small space, we should create something that is uniquely our own, specifically our own; something distinctive and different and market that. Barbados can’t mass-produce like china can but if you can find a business person who is doing something that will appeal to anybody on an international level, then promote that thing that makes that person special and sell that to the rest of the world. It doesn’t mean

that because we live in a small space that nothing of value can come from this space so when we have something that is fantastic, we can push that to the rest of the world.”

Caribbean people have a saying “Cheap ting nuh good” (cheap things aren’t any good). This has proved true for Tiyi as success has not come easy. She faces constant challenges as an artist, as an entrepreneur and in trying to juggle both. “Having a business as an artist is particularly hard because you want to be able to stay in your workshop and work.

You don’t want to be out in the business,

Domingo. As a winner of that award, she will be funded to attend Design Caribbean, London in 2012. She looks forward to that event as it will give her the opportunity to “get out of the Caribbean and exhibit in a bigger space.”

More than gaining access to new individual buyers, Tiyi noted the value of the presence of regional and international buyers who were also in attendance as she felt that she was able to find out what they were interested in and gauge their responses to the various products and pieces on display.

Tiyi also saw additional benefits to participating in Design Caribbean. She described the experience as being “... an eye opener.” Tiyi particularly valued the social and multi-cultural nature of the event and the opportunities for additional knowledge and awareness that it provided. “I work a lot in isolation.

There are very few metalsmiths, if any, here [in Barbados], ... just meeting people in person over there, other designers [especially], and to see what they are doing, the energy they bring

Ichia Tiyi accepts the 1st Prize Design Caribbean Award, September 4, 2011.

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being there every day because you want to be creative and work [on your art] every day.” Tiyi admits to often feeling frustrated with the challenges of being understood and valued as a Caribbean artist. However she remains committed to her work and speaks powerfully for artists and designers in the Caribbean when she says “We will still create and create and create because that is what we do.”

“Because we’re a small space, we should create something that is uniquely our own, specifically our own; something distinctive and different and market that.”

Ichia Tiyi at work in her studio .

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Bracelet by Tiyi by Design .

Indigenous Business

Winter’s experience with certain companies in Brazil. These companies would use entire villages to produce a single type of footwear, like kids’ shoes and teach the villagers how to perfect it.

The result was widespread employment and a high specialization in a particular product. “After seeing that,” He says, “I knew I could replicate the same in an Amerindian village to help empower my people.”

At one point more than 35 women

just “Richard Winter”. It was not until he exhibited at the former Caribbean Gift and Craft Show held in Grenada that he had a change of heart. And he began the process of really building his brand.

In relaying the story, Winter talks about his encounter with an American designer who came to see the “indigenous craftsman from Guyana, the only English speaking country in South America.” He says, “once they knew I was from an indigenous tribe in Guyana they

the name continues to represent what the company is about—portraying in works of functional and decorative art the story of daily life for Amerindians.

The Craft of The Arawak Leather Company were among the more than one hundred exhibitors at the first installment of the Design Caribbean Trade Show.

Though, according to Winter, his Design Caribbean experience did not start off as planned, he was happy to point out that the way things started was not at

“We Amerindians are born with a skill of craft. Every item we use to create our staple diet, which is cassava, is an art in itself.

So everything that I do is being done naturally. I never went to school to learn.”

Richard Winter and his famiy, Arawak Leather Company, Linden - Guyana

alk to Richard Winter and you cannot help but feel his passion and commitment to “his people”.

In fact, so profound is his commitment that he has developed his entire business around the empowerment and enfranchisement of his Arawak tribe in the South American country of Guyana.

According to him, “Looking back at my people, they need assistance, they need a lot of assistance. People tend to see us differently, almost like the last class, and in my heart I have always wanted to do something for them.” So it is not at all surprising that Winter’s business is aptly named, Arawak Leather Company.

Pitched far out of the hustle and struggles of Guyana’s capital city, Georgetown, Winter has set up shop in a small village called Kamaka miles up the Demerara river where he believes he can be of most help to the Amerindians.

The company designs and manufactures leather shoes, accessories such as wallets, belts and bags, along with home furnishings and decorative items. To see the work of this family-based business is to experience the proud dedication

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Winter and his entire family hold for their ancestry and heritage. He proudly points out, “We Amerindians are born with a skill of craft. Every item we use to create our staple diet, which is cassava, is an art in itself. So everything that I do is being done naturally. I never went to school to learn.” For him he says it’s, “ … telling the story of my people through my art. I do nothing else but indigenous art. It’s who I am!”

The Arawak’s commitment to developing the fortunes of Amerindians in Guyana is directly influenced by

worked at the Arawak factory receiving training in producing various leather craft. It was for Winter and his family, “creating the same type of environment to make families comfortable.”

Today the Arawak Leather Company is one of Guyana’s largest handcrafted footwear manufacturers and producer of 100% organic tanned leather products.

For Richard Winter’s business however, the name, which continues to build recognition and brand value for him did not always carry the title “The Arawak”.

In fact he started out his business as

created a big story in all the newspapers and everyone was coming to see who I was.” It was among the many visitors to his booth that he came into contact with the woman who would change the course of his business and set him on a path that today continues to contribute to his success. After viewing his craft the American designer said to him, “The name Richard Winter does not suit your business. It is not who you are. You must find a name which speaks to who you are and your work.” It was after that encounter that the name Arawak was chosen. Today more than five years later

all the way it ended. From showing in Santo Domingo he now has orders from Dominica, St. Vincent and the Dominican Republic. The company’s participation in Design Caribbean was facilitated by the GIZ further to its involvement with the New Caribbean Design Project which was implemented by Caribbean Export and funded by the Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFOC). According to Winter, he is “… pleased, very pleased with the results.”

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LONGEVITY IN Leather

erseverance seldom fails. This is a mantra, which Roy and Caroline Cummins know only too well.

Through thick and thin and various hardships Cummins stayed the course.

What began as a one-man operation some twenty-nine years ago, making leather sandals, has today evolved into a company which employs ten individuals and three contracted workers. The company, now called Cummins’ Leather Establishment, is a manufacturer of hand crafted leather products and is based in the South American country of Guyana. Owned and operated by a husband and wife team Cummins’ Leather Establishment was among one of the regional producers selected to attend and exhibit at Design Caribbean.

The company boasts of a wide selection in sandals, belts, wallets, handbags and their most recent foray into leather jewellery. When you speak of longevity

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Cummins’ Leather Establishment is clearly an example of this. In 2012 they will celebrate 30 years of business in craft as they continue to be positive about the prospects for further advancement and development of the sector. Paying close attention to the importance of innovation and design, Roy and Caroline continue to push themselves to always better their last creation. When asked what sets their product apart from any other the quick answer is always design.

According to the Cummins, “Our work is not the common occurrence. We place

“our work in not the common occurrence.”

For the Cummins team, they see being able to attend a trade show as an opportunity for strengthening their product design. “We are looking for feedback and listening to comments from visitors to the booth. For us this is just as important as securing the new markets”, revealed Caroline. This kind of focus and approach continues to serve the company well as in the past year, instead of being subjected to the sporadic availability of processed leather, they decided to invest in their own tannery (a facility which processes leather for production). Today, with their own tannery, they are producing with a level of freedom which can only lead to further success for the company.

a lot of emphasis on comfort of design and durability in our shoes and softness of the leather in the handbags.”

Being in business for almost thirty years is no small feat. It suggests a level of dedication to the business, which Roy Cummins is passionate about. “I think what keeps us going is that we love what we do and our customers love what we produce. They keep returning and that, for us, is a good indication that what we do is working.”

Design Caribbean, for this company, was not only a learning experience but according to Caroline, an impetus to push their own designs even further.

Due to the rigid selection process, only the best were selected to showcase at the trade show and being able to make the selection was for them a great achievement in itself. Even more rewarding was their ability to secure a new market in Bermuda. “This is a market,” according to the business owners, “that we never considered. We never thought of looking to that part of the world and here it is because of us showing at Design Caribbean we now have a market in Bermuda.” In addition to securing the new market the company is currently preparing specific samples of a handbag for a Dominican Republic designer who is interested in working with them to produce unique leather handbags.

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birds and beauty Barbadian bath and body products company, Ibis, finds market interest in the Dominican Republic.

T here is a certain eerie quietness before any hurricane. The dogs, cats and even

crickets have all disappeared to their mysterious safe havens but there is one creature left. The Ibis is always the last bird to seek shelter before a hurricane and the first to stick out his long bill, puff his feathered chest out and strut forward to survey the aftermath of the storm. He is the picture of defiant resilience.

Ibis, a Barbadian company that manufactures bath and body products is named after this bird. The founder, Kelly-Ann Allicottt, was inspired by the Ibis as she equates her own resilience as an entrepreneur with that of the Ibis.

For Allicott, resilience has been essential to the business’s growth and success.

Initially, Allicott began making soaps as a hobby. “I started doing it as just gifts for friends for Christmas, birthdays, etc and it extended from there.”

Allicott was not satisfied with remaining a hobby soap-maker but explored her love for formulating at the Barbados Community College and worked to develop a quality, natural product made with herbs and other natural additives that are indigenous to the Caribbean.

Tourists know the Caribbean well for its year-round sun, clear skies, and the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea that push white, foaming waves onto wide expanses of sandy beaches. However, these are not the attributes of the Caribbean that inspire Ibis’s products.

Allicott is inspired by “the natural terrain, the mountains, the lakes, the rivers, the gullies... We’re using the natural herbs that we get from that area of the Caribbean and we put [these] into the products so that people get that experience just [by] using a bar of soap [or] a body oil.”

Ibis has developed its own formula

Kelly-Ann Allicott Founder of Ibis, Barbados for developing its beauty products.

Their soaps and other spa products are made with oils or fats such as olive oil or coconut oil. Ibis infuses the oils with the herbs and other ingredients from the gullies in Barbados. “We use Noni [which is] well known here in Barbados as dog dumpling. We use grapefruit which cleanses and is also an astringent, Neem, [which is] a cure for all, bay-leaf, spices, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon basically anything you can get from the Caribbean for a beauty regimen.”

The soaps were such a hit with friends that with Ibis-like determination, Allicott decided to test the market and launch the

Kelly-Ann Allicott of Ibis engaging potential customer and Barbadian musician and performer Alison Hinds at Design Caribbean, 2011.

company at her first trade show in 2008.

The company has progressed since then and Ibis recently participated in another trade show - Design Caribbean in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Being Allicott’s first international exhibition, she was particularly inspired by the good response to her products by locals especially. “They believe that both inwardly and outwardly they should shine so that is reflected in everything they do. They love natural stuff and there’s a rave out there for the newest products, especially if [they are] coming from a different country and [they have] a different flair.”

Ibis’s soaps on display at Design Caribbean, 2011.

market. I have to improve on a lot of things like packaging, branding and marketing.

It’s a market that, once tapped into, is a good market to maintain and actually keep you afloat.”

The show was a success and Allicott continues to build her business. Allicott, who describes herself as “chief, cook and bottle-washer”, remains optimistic about the continued success of Ibis and continuously seeks to improve her company and its products.

“Success for me is based on perseverance, self-belief and a drive and love for what you’re doing... I think my biggest achievement is the response I get from people when they purchase a product from me and return to buy it constantly and it actually does what it says it will do and they’re proud of it - and I’m proud of that.”

In addition to realising the value of her company’s unique selling points, Allicott was also able to meet with and interact with distributors and new clientele at Design Caribbean. She says of the impact of the experience on her business, “I have to focus now on manufacturing more to meet demand if I want to make an impact on that

Tourists know the Caribbean well for its year-round sun, clear skies, and the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea that push white, foaming waves onto wide expanses of sandy beaches.

However, these are not the attributes of the Caribbean that inspire Ibis’s products.

Ibis’s all natural bath and body products are and-made and feature a variety of scents and purposes. Pictured above are Mango Tango, Ethereal Rose and Grapefruit Splash amonth others.

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29

Cotton- Picking Sense t may possibly be considered Barbados’ best kept secret but if Exclusive Cottons has its way it will become the worlds best known fact.

What is it all about? Cotton! That’s right good ole cotton!

However, this is not just any cotton.

Considered the highest quality cotton available globally, the West Indian Sea Island cotton which the company produces can be traced back hundreds of years in the Caribbean. Back then the prized commodity was referred to as Sea Island cotton and holds a long tradition in the Royal Family. It was the only high-quality cotton known to many. Its prospects, however, were eventually curtailed with the introduction of alternative crops, such as sugarcane and bananas, to the islands and the prominence of Sea Island cotton slowly faded. Exclusive Cottons is determined to see the high-grade source material for some of the world’s best garments make a major comeback in the region.

This vision has occupied the focus of the Barbadian company for just over four years.

This quest however, is by far no easy one. According to the company’s sales manager, Lucy-Ann Fields, “It is as if we literally have to start from scratch. The

then sent to Switzerland and Italy where it is spun into yarn and then knitted into fabrics of varying weights and thread counts. The fabric, which is usually all white, is sent back to Barbados for the company, Exclusive Cottons. It is from these fabrics that the in-house clothing line, “Caribbean Lifestyle” is created. Clearly recognizing the value of the product and the need to diversify to produce growth, the company has recently ventured into producing cotton-seed oil from the seeds which are separated from the procured cotton.

“There is added value all along the development chain of the product!” says Fields. “We even started producing a special paper from the cotton which is not able to be used for processing fine fabrics” she explains.

Lucy-Ann Fields Sales/ Office Manager, Exclusive Cottons of the Caribbean Inc.

cotton is not well known at all. We now have to build the brand and get it out there!” Part of the company’s strategy, according to Fields, is to connect with well known designers who are producing high quality products in the marketplace. The intention, she says, is to “Have them use West Indian Sea Island Cotton as their fabric of choice.”

In the meantime however, they are not waiting. The company has developed its own line, “Caribbean Lifestyle” which is a tailor-made product line. The line which covers three categories, clothing, gifts and home style items, has been one of

the more tangible ways the company has been able to introduce the quality, versatility and durability of the cotton to many.

The commitment to quality is evident when you consider the process the company goes through to ensure it continues to produce a product, which for years has been synonymous with quality. The cotton, which is still handharvested, is taken to a local ginnery, owned and operated by the company, where it is procured and the seeds separated. The high quality fibers are

Cotton is hand-harvested and procured at Exclusive Cotton’s ginnery. The high quality fibers are then packaged into bales and shipped to Switzerland and Italy where it is spun into yarn and then knitted into fabrics 30

The company’s top management however, readily admits that it has not been and is not an easy road especially in the context of what they are seeking to do as a regional company. “Coming from the Caribbean we don’t generally place a lot of emphasis on building world class brands,” relays Chief Executive Officer, Adlai Stevenson. “We want to change that. We want to be able to create something which we own and can grow through exports.” Their quest received a much-needed boost when they exhibited at the Design Caribbean trade show. The experience proved to be a very enlightening one and according to company officials have helped to solidify the direction in which they need to take the product. “Many people visiting the booth kept feeling the fabric and could not believe that something so beautiful and such high quality was produced right here in the Caribbean”, remarks Fields. “A great part

of my job has to be about education. Not many people understand what we have here but when you go through it with them, they get it. More importantly they understand the value it holds”, explains the upbeat Sales Manager.

Coming out of the show the company is now in advanced talks with an international fashion house to supply them with Sea Island Cotton fabric to develop a new, exclusive line. Even with some gentle prodding the company would not reveal the name, but would only say that they see very exciting times ahead for Exclusive Cottons and its West Indian Sea Island Cotton brand.

Chief Executive Officer, Stevenson, expressed his appreciation to Caribbean Export who continues to work with the company to develop their brand and export potential.

“Coming from the Caribbean we don’t generally place a lot of emphasis on building world class brands,” relays Chief Executive Officer, Adaley Stephenson. “We want to change that.

Products made from West Indian Sea Island Cotton, some of the finest cotton in the world, are sold at Exclusive Cotton’s establishment in St. Geaorge, Barbados.

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Orange Gallery Fruit Bowl

Naturartes Candles Luna Design

Melene B Carpets

Exhibitors from 15 countries

Melene B Carpets

Jewellery by Kirie Ishmael

Earth Mother Botanicals

Avark bags

Haiti bowls Betty Marshall Jewellery

Veve Collections

Over 130 exhibitors showed their superb craftsmanship

Melene B Carpets

Orange Gallery Chair

design caribbean Brought together the best of the region 32

Stool by David Myrie/ Exquisite Wicker

Orange Gallery creations Belzeb

Jewellery by Kirie Ishmael 33

A

Beyond the Ordinary Henk and Judith Uiterloo, the husband and wife team behind Atelier Doré.

telier Doré embodies the passionate expressions through creations in silver jewellery of husband and wife team, Henk and Judith Uiterloo from Suriname. Even more remarkable is that the extraordinarily talented designers have the most unlikely of backgrounds. Judith who is a teacher by profession and Henk, an engineer have come together to produce some of the most amazing pieces of silver jewellery that resulted in them being the recipients of several awards. The most recent of which is second place at Caribbean Export’s “Design Caribbean” for most outstanding work.

The business, which is more than 60 years old was started by Henk’s father and carried the name Doré & Co. Known for its craftsmanship, the company was often requested by Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to design and create ceremonial gifts (jewellery) for several world prominent figures such as United States of America’s President Eisenhower and Great Britain’s ‘Queen Mum’.

Henk remembers playing in the streets as a boy and going home to watch his dad working in gold to produce jewellery. “My brother and I would get to melt things here and there and make wire. That was the extent of it.” he reminisces. But today it clearly has gone far beyond what started out as trivial play for him! When Henk’s father became ill, his wife Judith went to take

“We are not making everyday pieces.” care of him and seeing the history and passion of her father-in-law’s life work, Judith together with Henk decided to ensure it did not die along with his father.

They chose to carry on the tradition and renamed the business Atelier Doré focusing exclusively on silver.

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Only a cursory examination of their work would reveal that they made the right choice. What is also clear is that when a teacher and an engineer come t o g e t h e r t o produce jewellery, art is the result! Devoted to creating oneof-a-kind pieces the husband and wife team have made storytelling in their work the hallmark of Atelier Doré.

According to Henk, “Our work is art, we are not making everyday pieces. All of our work has a story which

dangerous and expensive. We find silver to be more manageable in many ways but for this we were willing to make an exception,” says a smiling Henk.

The company has participated in multiple Jamaica Fashion Week shows, received the award for “Caribbean Master Designers” at Caribbean Fashion Week and recently copped the second place at Design Caribbean for most

Henk Uiterloo (right) and Daughter, Chayanne (far left) receiving their 2nd place award at Design Caribbean

sometimes we go to great lengths to research.” And for this reason they have focused on working only with the highest grades of silver and attention to detail and design only an engineer could envision. The work done by the team showcases detailed fabrication around intricate elements with unusual connecting pieces. And every piece has a story.

The work of Atelier Doré has not gone unnoticed and more recently they were approached to design and produce an official ring for the president of Suriname. The ring which Henk and Judith are very proud of was made in gold and they readily admit to making a special exception for the design of the ring in gold.

outstanding craftsmanship and design in Jewellery. Speaking on the company’s achievements and work, Henk emphasized, “We dedicate a lot to our work and we want our pieces to be worn by those who appreciate the expression and passion in the work and are just as excited as us to wear them!”

He said it was important for them to get to London and Paris and sees Design Caribbean as the perfect stepping stone to helping them achieve that goal.

The focus on quality and dedication has truly been part of their blueprint for success and is a distinct reflection of who they are and what they want to say with their work. Today Atelier Doré’s future is limited only by their ability to imagine it.

“We no-longer work in gold, it is far too 35

Progressing in Amber

Amber jewellery from Amber World Museum

is they are buying when they purchase a product made from the material.

Today the craftsman who started out collecting amber for others for scientific research and prized collections now runs a cultural business which provides

“The Caribbean has many possibilities [which only need to be] discover[ed]!”

Jorge Caridad, Founder and President of the Amber Factor and owner of Amber World Museum.

J

A craftsman at the Amber World Museum polishes a piece of amber

orge Caridad, founder and president of the Amber Factory AMBASA in the Dominican Republic has a long tradition in the mining and crafting of amber.

This valuable material, which has been sought after by museums and collectors the world over has occupied the time, lives and efforts of the Caridad family for decades. It was however, not until he and his wife decided to turn their supply of the material to other collectors and museums into their own unique customer experience that the Amber World Museum was born.

comes out of trees. Many million years ago the secreted resin would frequently trap in its path small pieces of vegetal and very small animals, which today have been preserved within it. This has contributed to Dominican amber having the highest number of fossil inclusions.

The mining of this semi precious material however is by no means “precious”. Average Dominicans would brave extremely dangerous “foxholes” dug deep into steep mountain-sides using only machetes, shovels and picks to locate the material.

Amber is a vegetal fossilized resin, which

For Jorge Caridad, the thought of

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Dominicans facing treacherous bell-pits with 100% humidity levels and constant stale air to find amber and then have it shipped off to collectors and museums overseas where the real value is added was not a life built for prosperity. He knew there had to be more. His skill as a craftsman and his knowledge of the semi-precious material and its scientific prospects led he and his wife to launch on September 5th, 1996, The Amber World Museum. The facility which also combines jewellery and special gifts in amber and Larimar gives customers a first hand view into the world of amber and an appreciation for what it

employment for Dominicans to tell the story of Amber and express their creative talent in pieces fashioned out of the semi-precious material. It was some of these pieces, which helped The Amber World Museum to be selected to show at Caribbean Export’s Design Caribbean.

No stranger to the trade show when it was the Caribbean Gift and Craft Show, Caridad was well prepared to take on the prospect of the newly re-branded initiative.

economic situation is not the best,” according to Jorge, “We did good!” The company was able to walk away from Design Caribbean with three long-term clients. One based in USA, another in Belize and the third in Guyana were all impressed by the work of Jorge Caridad and his team and today he continues to work to supply them. Part of the appeal for buyers was also Amber World Museum’s use of Dominican Larimar—A semi-precious stone found only in that country. The pieces, which showed the beauty and versatility of the material, captured the attention of buyers and continues to do so. According to Cardid, his store now does about 80% in Larimar and the remaining 20% in amber sales.

For Jorge, the region provides many avenues for growth but companies need to start working together. He believes, “…the Caribbean [has] many possibilities [which only need to be] discover[ed]!” The founder and president of the Amber World Museum also sees Design Caribbean as an answer to what the region needs to exhibit itself for others to discover. So important does he consider the trade show, that he has begun his preparation one year in advance of its staging in order to develop new product lines and ensure he puts the best of what his business has to offer on display for others to see, appreciate, and of course purchase.

Weeks before the show Jorge and his daughter crafted a plan to maximize on their attendance at the show. Together they called all the clients they had interacted with in previous shows and those potential clients who would be attending and invited them to attend their booth. It worked! “Though, the 37

Courtyard Art Studio

Tzuriyah Bath & Body

Debbie’s Closet

Debbie’s Closet

Create Spaces

Barbados Community College Create Spaces

Coop Bambu Bookcase

Kalinago Barana Aute

Excellence in Design on show at “Design Caribbean”

Barbados Community College

Atelier Dore’ 38

Ken’s Copper Collection

Luna Design

Boite A Bijoux

Barbados Community College 39

Children enjoyed the singing and company of Roldan Marmol from the Dominican Republic

CaribbeanSoul Fusion Dr. L’Antoinette Stines, Dancer & Founder of L'Acadco

Many rhythms, one people

A good time was had all

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Kareen McLean, Dancer, L'Acadco

Onika Best, Drummer - Barbados

Irvin “Carrot” Jarret, Master drummer, Percussionist (Former Third World” Band Member)

Caribbean Soca Queen, Alison Hinds entertains the crowd.

BelO from Haiti

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First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, admires the work of Luna Designs of Barbados.

All smiles

A wide diversity of products were on show

Caribbean Export’s Executive Director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton catches up with Alison Hinds and her manager Van Gibbs.

Richard Winter of Arawak Leather Company, Guyana, presents the Leather Pod Bowl.

Caribbean Export’s Pamela CokeHamilton and Claudia Uribe of ITC admire the work of artisans.

Mix and mingle

Carpet Designer, Melene B poses with a bag from Belize

Create Spaces

Mrs. Kirie Ishmael receives “Best Young Designer” Award 42

Claudia Uribe of ITC

Part of the hardworking Design Caribbean Team

The Orange Gallery 43

Copyright Š 2011 by Caribbean Export Development Agency.

Nothing shown may be reproduced in any form without obtaining the permission of Caribbean Export Development Agency, the creators and any other person or company who may have copyright ownership.

Published by Ethnic Vision Inc.