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Colours of The Bahamas
What-To-Do (Nassau, Cable Beach & Paradise Island) - January 2008 Issue
Colours of The Bahamas
Bargains in every hue in Nassau stores
The spectacular colours of The Bahamian landscape-peridot green palm trees, citrine and red sunsets, turquoise waters-are all reflected in local arts and crafts items and duty-free luxury products from around the world.
Increasingly, top designers and local artisans are drawing on tropical colours to highlight jewellery, handbags, clothing and accessories and gorgeous original artwork. Many are fascinated by the blue-green shades seen in the islands' shallow waters.
"I lay in bed late at night dreaming up colours for new collections," says artist Joie Lamare, co-owner at Bahama Hand Prints. "The natural environment in The Bahamas is constant inspiration."
Lamare uses what she calls blue blue, bright blue and natural aquamarine for everything from resort wear to dinner napkins and serving trays.
Jewelled tones
The David Yurman Caribbean Ice collection, inspired by the region's colourful water, is a collection that includes cabochon rings, bracelets, matching earrings and pendants encrusted with diamonds.
Recently it was "diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires that reigned supreme," says John Bull jewellery buyer Tarek Vanderpool. "Now, with semi-precious stones, people can have those big bold looks with a less expensive gem."
Designers Milano and Chopard are playing up colours too, from coconut brown diamonds to rose gold jewellery that reminds one of The Bahamas' pink sand beaches.
"Rose gold is popular right now. You can't pick up a magazine without seeing it. The colour goes with just about every skin tone,"says Sylvia Chee-A-Tow, of the Colombian.
Crown Jewellers' yellow diamond collection ranges from a soft hibiscus shade to the golds you see in Bahamian sunsets.
"Yellow diamonds are special because they're so rare," says Crown Jewellers manager Georgia Russell. But bring your credit card: pieces start at $10,000 and rise steeply to a 6.77 ct canary yellow diamond ring for $150,000.
As you would expect, emeralds are top sellers at Colombian Emeralds International. The store also has a collection of purple-blue tanzanite stones, reminiscent of the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including a 6.27 ct emerald ring surrounded by diamonds on a white gold band. This one goes for $14,000.
There's plenty of jewellery on display in Nassau that will not leave such a large lavender-hued bruise on your wallet. Check out Effy Jewelers' Natural Rainbow sapphire and diamond collection. A sapphire pendant sells for $249 and the rainbow coloured ring with diamonds goes for $449.
Time for colour
Shopping with colour in mind allows you to personalize your purchase, says Quantum buyer Dilip Wadhwani.
"Modern women… want to be professional yet at the same time they want to add in some personality."
Quantum's new Possession by Piaget ladies' watches in rose and white gold with diamonds on the dial range from $3,900 to $12,500.
Wadhwani also suggests a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor watch with standout turquoise hands and crown starting at $4,000 and ranging up to $15,000.
Meanwhile, it's the softer Caribbean sky blues and seashell pinks that influence designs for Rolex and Cartier, says Sanchia Davis, assistant watch buyer at John Bull.
"The Rolex line came out with a unisex watch with a salmon-coloured dial with diamonds around the bezel. It is a top seller and ranges from $3,400 (without diamonds) to $6,840." The Cartier Roadster, with its pink dial, retails for $3,800. For a more masculine look, try a blue faced TechnoMarine watch.
The Breitling for Bentley watch line offers a kaleidoscope of colours.
"Whether it's pink or blue or yellow, people stand out with colour," says Deirdree Andrews, a promotions representative with Little Switzerland and Breitling Boutique. Watches in that line start at $3,000 with coloured bands starting at $500.
Colour accents
Island-themed hues are being used in accessories, too. For example, there's a lemon citrine beaded David Yurman necklace with peridot and gold
clasp ($5,400).
Spring and summer collections for accessories giants Gucci, Coach, Dooney & Bourke and Kate Spade are also vivid with tropical colours.
"Very, very bright oranges, pinks, turquoise and royal blues are very big,"says John Bull accessories buyer Sabrina Lobosky.
Melanie Bethel Tully, Coach and Gucci buyer for John Bull, agrees. "The new Gucci Cruise collection is fun and tropical." The designer's signature red, black and green thong sandals ($300) is updated with orange, green and yellow.
The Coach Heritage collection, exclusively distributed in the international market, blends tropical hues such as baby blue, pink and green piping.
Buyer Erica Watson says there is a trend towards yellows and greens for Fendi's spring and summer lines. "Colour conveys a lifestyle… . Our new line, the Doctor F bag, combines a traditional doctor's bag with a hobo shape which comes in black, mint green, yellow and white."
Bahamian sisal and straw handbags blend tropical textures with elegant shapes at Da Culture Place, which also offers straw work accented with native sea shells. Look for dinnerware sets with matching table cloths.
La Casita boutique infuses bold colours such as fuchsia into its traditional straw work. The colourful loose seashells sold at this store can accent any home design project.
Handbags aren't the only items on which designers are incorporating tropical inspiration. Small touches of bamboo to frames from Christian Dior and Dolce & Gabbana add colour and charm to sunglasses.
"If you are conservative this season is not for you," laughs John Bull's Lobosky. "It's all about trendsetters."
There is more colour all over town: the Sun Splash boutique on Paradise Island and the Prince George Plaza, downtown Nassau, offers designer swimwear and beach accessories in vivid tropical colours. Even dive company shops are into colours in a big way. Stuart Cove's, for example, offers several inexpensive ideas for mementos and casual gifts, including shot glasses, colourful beach wraps and toys. And Bahama Divers operations manager Sam McDonald says his best selling items are black, gold and aquamarine Bahamian flags.
Capturing Colour
Rhythm and hues is a good way to describe Junkanoo, The Bahamas' unique street festival. You'll find bright Junkanoo colours in many items for sale in Nassau.
"We are a very vibrant people," says Alicia Sands, owner of Wild Orchid Designs. "We're surrounded by bright colours. It's a part of our culture." Sands' store features handmade pottery and one-of-a-kind art pieces in brilliant shades of orange, red and blue.
Paulette Mortimer's photography captures the natural beauty of The Bahamas in colour or black and white. Her art gallery, Third Eye Artworks & Collectibles, also features a delightful collection of arts and crafts by local artists. Pink conch shell wind chimes sell for between $70 and $125.
Andrew Parker, store manager at Coin of the Realm, advises customers to consider "where you live and the time of year you are going to wear your colour pieces. Also take into account the dress code in your office. If it's casual then colour is important. The key
is to mix simple with showy," says Parker.
Choose the colours you like best, day by day. Coin of the Realm's Orbis rings, necklaces and bracelets feature interchangeable stones. You can choose a colour that suits you best and, at the same time, wear a piece of jewellery that reminds you of the colours of Nassau.
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