Photos: Coast Caribbean Images
The Barbados experience
Our Cotton - Outstanding in its Field Speckled brown and white during harvest time, Barbados’ cotton fields remind us of the uniqueness of Barbadian heritage. Held in the hand, a fully bloomed seedpod resembles the tiny brown purse that an old lady might carry; and stuffed into it, almost falling out in fact, the delicate white cotton handkerchief that might find its way to a child’s face. Yet this cotton, resplendent in the countryside of Barbados, is not your ‘garden-variety’ Gossypium. West Indian Sea Island Cotton (WISIC), a unique strain of the standard Gossypium Barbadense, boasts a rich heritage, distinguished reputation, and endless possibilities. So what’s the gossip on Gossypium? World over, cotton is appreciated for its coolness, versatility and durability. The famed WISIC is sought-after not only for these qualities but also for what sets it apart: its strength and length (twice that of some other cottons), its suppleness, smoothness and softness. This internationally certified fibre is considered to be the strongest, most brilliant of its family. With regards to texture and quality, it is comparable to both silk and cashmere. WISIC is also the most rare of cottons, composing only a fraction of 1% of the world’s supply. Grandfather of the American Supima and highly desirable Egyptian Giza cottons, WISIC commands the highest price. Already rare and of top quality, its value is further increased because of the special treatment it receives. In Barbados WISIC is painstakingly hand harvested, put through a special ginnery, and shipped abroad to be spun into threads by industry experts. Its resulting yarn and fabric are crocheted, knitted and painted locally, also by hand. No wonder that this luxurious textile has been called “The Cloth of Kings!” It’s hard not to feel like royalty when wrapped in a supple
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The Ins & Outs of Barbados
robe, caressed by a fine, fluffy towel, or reclining on satiny white bedding made of West Indian Sea Island Cotton. In Barbados, WISIC is managed and developed by Exclusive Cottons of the Caribbean Inc. (ECCI), a company formed in 2004 through the joint effort of local growers and the Ministry of Agriculture. ECCI facilitates the cotton production process from the ground up, resulting not only in finished 100% WISIC goods and textiles, but by-products such as cottonseed oil. This relationship is key as WISIC has certainly had a tumultuous past. With origins in Barbados as early as 1650, WISIC’s fortunes waxed and waned. The crop found itself vying for field space when sugarcane became the nation’s primary asset. However, ECCI believes that WISIC’s viability has tremendously increased in recent years. To prove this, in 2006 ECCI made efforts to augment the industry, including work with Caribbean fashion designers to produce a line of high-end tropical couture, gift items, and opulently comfortable soft furnishings. With the introduction of the ECCI came the relocation of Barbados’ only remaining cotton ginnery from the airport to Groves in St. George. This newly-built facility houses a 500-pound capacity baler, a 30-ton capacity weighbridge along with six cotton gins that survived the relocation and ably carry the weight of production during harvest-time. The Cotton Ginnery and Visitor Centre have recently been upgraded to facilitate guided tours, arranged by appointment. It’s a rare and intriguing experience. Year-round tours are available Monday to Friday hourly between 10am and 2pm. Calling ahead is recommended. At the Visitor Centre there is a display room and gift shop where WISIC articles can be purchased or ordered, including but not limited to ladies’ and gentlemen’s attire, linens, shower mitts and wash cloths, interior decor and novelty items. These can be further personalised with handpainting or embroidery. Visitors will see the work of a local artist who creates art on the West Indian Sea Island Cotton fabric. To arrange an exclusive tour of the Exclusive Cottons of the Caribbean’s ginnery and visitor centre, please call 433-3108. Friendly and knowledgeable guides look forward to sharing more with you about Barbados’ remarkable and regal cotton!