Calico has emerged as a promising material for export, offering vast opportunities for growth in the garment, footwear, and accessories markets. Its versatility, affordability, and strong cultural identity make it ideal for creating unique, handcrafted products with international appeal. Industry leaders believe that calico, though long used locally, remains an untapped resource on the global stage — one with the potential to boost Jamaica’s presence in creative exports.

Published Staurday, April 12, 1975

Calico chosen as Festival ‘75 fabric

The Jamaica Festival Commission has announced the selection of calico as the fabric for Festival 1975, at a press conference held at the Courtleigh Manor Hotel on Thursday.

The announcement was made by the chairman of the Commission,  Arthur Carney, who said that he was happy to announce that the choice was a very popular one. To arrive at that decision, he said, the commission took many months to carefully consult people in the fashion business and to conduct its research.

Choosing the slogan 'Let’s Go Calico' the commission intends to stimulate the garment industry into a new area of creativity, with an emphasis on quality and good finishing.
Winston Mahfood, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), said that members of the association were satisfied that the opportunities offered by calico for Festival ‘75 were many, since the material was suitable for the manufacture of clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories, while also providing opportunities for a considerable amount of handiwork.

Speaking on behalf of the JMA and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce,  Mahfood said that calico had long been a part of the Jamaican scene, which made it an especially appropriate choice for Festival '75. Calico was a versatile fabric, he said, eminently suitable for innovation in cutting and styling, embroidery, printing, and finishing — making it fashionable for use by men, women, and children in many combinations and for all occasions.

On the question of the export potential for calico, Mahfood said that, for garments, footwear, and handbags using calico as the main theme, the export potential was great, and that this area had never been exploited before.

The chairman of the JMA Garment Group,  Lall Chadeesingh, who has also been appointed by the Jamaica Festival Commission as chairman of the Festival Fashion Committee, said in response to a query about the manufacture of calico that it was done right here in Jamaica and that cheap cotton had been imported from the United States.

He said that the price for the raw calico material could range from 90 cents and upwards for the lighter materials, and $1.99 for the heavier material used for trousers and skirts. There would be no expected escalation of prices, he said.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.