Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Androsia's debut at Miss Universe 2009










The 2009 Miss Universe was held this year at Atlantis, Paradise
Island in the Bahamas. Androsia Batik Fabric was used during the August 12 and August 23rd fashion show and our classic Androsia Pareos were worn during the August 23rd swimsuit fashion show.
We are so proud to see our fabric, that first started as an experiment in 1973 with wax and dye, to turn into what is now referred to as “The National Fabric of the Bahamas”, was featured in more than two thirds of the Miss Universe Competition. Follow this link to watch a video of the fashion show, where the Androsia Fabric was worn and designed by Bahamian designers such as Basheva Eve.
Androsia Fabric is made on Andros Island, which first started in 1973 by Dick Birch and his wife, Rosie. The first six years the Androsia fabric was made at Small Hope Bay Lodge, the diving resort on Andros, which Dick opened and operated at the time. In 1979, Androsia Batik Factory and Androsia Outlet were opened in Andros Town.
All Androsia Fabric is hand-stamped, hand-dyed and hand-sewn, and is really one of a kind. Watch the process for yourself on our YouTube Channel. The factory creates fabrics, uniforms, outfits, beachwear and anything you can imagine to the other islands in the Bahamas. Visit the Androsia shopping cart for a full list of items available!

To find out more about Androsia Batik, visit the Androsia Website.

Monday, August 17, 2009

The People Behind the Fabric


To celebrate 36 years of Androsia, the national fabric of the Bahamas, a party was held at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Every one sat down to dinner and things got exciting later into the night with dancing and singing, follow this link to see a video of the nights events!
Androsia Batik first opened in 1973 when Dick Birch was playing around with wax and some dyes. Since then it has vastly expanded into a factory and outlet located on Andros Island. The factory creates fabrics, uniforms, outfits, beachwear and anything you can imagine to the other islands in the Bahamas. Visit the Androsia shopping cart for a full list of items available!
You can see many of the Androsia fabrics being worn on the run way and throughout the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant. Where two thirds of the outfits were our Androsia Batik fabrics! Follow this link to see pictures from the runway show. Visit the Miss Universe website to see more pictures of the fabric being worn throughout the competition.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Miss Universe wearing our Androsia



June 9th 2009, Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela and winner of Miss Universe 2008 visited the Androsia Batik, while on her tour around the Islands of Bahamas to promote the Miss Universe Pageant 2009 that was held early August in Nassau.
While taking the tour of our factory, Dayana learned a how the unique fabric is individually stamped, dyed and sewed. Dayana made her own personal fabric, signing her name in wax and stamping with her favorite design. She then went shopping in the outlet boutique located beside the factory where she took some time shopping through our various designs, colours and outfits!
More than two thirds of the fabrics and outfits worn at the Miss Universe Pageant was from our Androsia Fabric, which has been called the national fabric of the Bahamas. To see more pictures from the show visit the Miss Universe Website.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Family Fun

Recently, mother and her daughter staying at our sister company's resort, Small Hope Bay Lodge, came to visit the Androsia factory for a batik lesson and a little souvenir shopping.
"Fantastic colors. It was fun to get to design your own pattern. Very easy and fun!" ~Christine

"The batik lesson was great. Quick and easy fun! And everyone was helpful. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to their creative juices flowing." ~ Rachel

Saturday, July 18, 2009

More Shopping at the Factory Outlet Store!

“We went to Androsia because we thought it would be an easy way to pick up gifts. We only planned to spend 10 or 15 minutes in the boutique but ended up staying over a half hour! There are so many beautiful, colorful products to chose from. I would recommend this excursion to anyone!” ~Laurie

"Had a wonderful bike trip to the Androsia Batik factory – we got to watch the ladies making the fabric designs – hot wax, fabric and beautiful designs. The outlet store was fabulous! A lot of styles of clothing, pants, skirts, shirts… all beautiful colors and designs. You cannot go to Andros and miss this experience! A “must-do.” ~Carrie Eisenberg

“I went to the Androsia store 15 years ago and bought a pair of pants and matching tee shirt. I loved them and wore them until my family was embarassed to see me wear them with ragged hem and holes. So sadly I recently and reluctantly threw them away. But, we came back, and I brought two sets! The store now has more colors to choose from, and they make lots more items now like place mats, aprons, and matching pot holders and men’s button-up shirts that we really loved! And the prices are so reasonable. We were able to bring back gifts without breaking the bank. Stay at Small Hope Bay Lodge and they will put it on your room! So easy!” ~Patty

Monday, July 13, 2009

A View from the Outside

Recently, we had a large family come to enjoy a nice long holiday at Small Hope Bay Lodge. When they finally took a break from diving, they didn't stop to kick back but instead went to visit the factory. That evening, they all showed up for dinner dressed (all 15 of them) in their brand new Androsia.
They also shared a little of their experience at the factory:

“I have been there before twice. The Killgore family (my family) brought 15 people with us this time. When I come back, I’m still going to use the little writing utensils and I hope they have the praying hands in the wax. I appreciate them doing this for me and my family and friends. I look forward to seeing the factory and the people next time I come. My experience has been wonderful everytime I have come. I hope we can get black as our cloth color. My favorite color is black. I like black because it matches with every color. And I also like the neon colors because they’re bright and kind of glow in the dark.” ~Elena Killgore


“After three times of visiting the factory and store, the magic of creating my own cloth has not diminished in the least. Our creativity is unleashed by designing marine life and then choosing a color to have it dyed in. Also, the shopping gave me a chance to buy my own apparel to make me feel even more connected to the island.” ~Caitlin Killgore


“The experience was unique and I would do it again. I learned the techniques of batiking and was intrigued by them. I hope I can do it again.” ~Kayla Combs


“We truly enjoyed our visit to the factory to learn the technique of batik. My daughter enjoyed learning and making her own creative piece of art. A wonderful group of people! We loved it!” ~Lynn, Faith, & Buddy Best

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Introduction to Androsia

Androsia is a batik fabric and batik clothing manufacturing factory located on the island of Andros in the Bahamas. Since 1973 we have used the beauty of the environment of the Bahamas for inspiration in our print designs and brilliant colours. Androsia is sold on almost all of the inhabited islands of the Bahamas including Nassau, Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, Andros, Chub Cay, the Abacos, Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, and Exuma.

Androsia was the winner of the Silver Jubilee award for 1998. The Silver Jubilee award celebrated 25 years of Bahamian independence. It was given to certain individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to the Bahamas.

The company was originally started as a cottage industry in 1973, the year of Bahamian independence, with two goals in mind. First, to create meaningful employment for locals and secondly, to create a quality product that would, through its design and colour, highlight the beauty of the Bahamas. Androsia is a strictly Bahamian product.

Our fabric designs come out of the cloth using the art of batik. True batik. Every yard is waxed then dyed then cut and sewn right here at Androsia.