How it all began
Bahama Hand Prints was established in 1966 by artists Helen Astarita and Berta Sands. On a visit to the Florida Keys these women visited a small factory in Key West where they observed fabric being hand printed, using silk-screens. So impressed were they by the procedure and the spectacularly coloured fabrics produced, that they decided to start their own company back in the Bahamas. Helen and Berta were enthusiastic and quickly mastered the techniques involved in making silk screens, mixing the inks, hand printing the fabric, designing and sewing the final products. Their bold and brilliant designs became the signature of Bahama Hand Prints.
Fast forward to today...
Bahama Hand Prints is now owned and managed by Linda Brown and Joie Lamare, who purchased the company in 2001.
The business has grown significantly during the last few years. The wholesale market has been expanded to include local high-end retail shops like The Plait Lady in the Atlantis Marina Village, the Windermere Spa in Lyford Cay, The Linen Shop [Bay Street], Bahama Republic [Paradise Island], Blue Rooster [Harbour Island], Abaco Beach Resort [Marsh Harbour], Goodfellow Farms and many more. Foreign clients include boutique owners in the US [mainly Florida and the East Coast] and the West Indies. In May of 2004 Bahama Hand Prints opened a new boutique which is a part of the new factory complex.
The range of products has expanded and now includes household items such as tea towels, placemats & napkins, a complete collection of women’s wear – dresses, trousers, capris, blouses, skirts, shorts, handbags, cosmetic bags and for men, shirts!
What we do at Bahama Hand Prints...
Today at Bahama Hand Prints the tradition of hand printing continues under the mastery of printing specialist, Les Williams who began his career with Helen & Berta. Hand printing is a labour intensive process but the quality of hand printed fabric is so unique, the colours so rich and beautiful that Bahama Hand Prints is committed to keeping this art alive.
We introduce a New Collection every year
Every November a New Collection of garments, accessories and tabletop items is introduced. Vivid colours, enchanting prints and fine fabrics are combined to create fabulous garments and accessories using both the original artwork of Helen & Berta and new prints designed by watercolourist Thierry Lamare and interior designer Dede Brown.
We Custom Print Fabric
We custom print fabric to our customers specifications for making draperies & tablecloths, upholstering furniture etc. The customer can select the print design from our archives e.g. ‘Hibiscus Dazzle’, ‘Bahamarama’, ‘Starfish’ etc and the colour they desire and we will print on the ground fabric of their choosing either cotton twill, cotton poplin, linen, voile or cotton batiste.
In addition we have printed fabric that is available to be purchased by the yard.
We Welcome Visitors
Visitors are welcome to drop-in at the factory between midday and four o’clock and watch our master printer Les as he hand prints fabric. It is a thrilling process to observe, yards of plain fabric being transformed into colourful art, by designs that capture the beauty of the Bahama Islands.