Sea Island cotton is a rare and premium variety of cotton grown exclusively in the Lesser Antilles islands. It enjoys an ideal climate with abundant sunshine and minimal temperature fluctuations, creating optimal conditions for high quality cotton. Known as Gossypium barbadense, Sea Island cotton was first discovered in the 18th century and its production remains concentrated in Barbados and Jamaica. In the 18th century, 70% of raw cotton used in Europe came from the Caribbean and fetched a price 400 times higher than American cotton. Today, Sea Island cotton production is strictly regulated and certified by W.I.S.I.C.A. to ensure it meets high standards for fiber length, fineness, strength and other characteristics.

1. Sea Island Cotton
Traveling from Miami southward, in the Caribbean Sea, the Lesser Antilles, which form an arc on
the sea. Only in these islands is cultivated Sea Island cotton "; they enjoy a warm and constant
climate where the sun shines for more than 3,000 hours per year and the thermal bump between
night and day is minimal, thus creating the best conditions for the highest quality of cotton.
The West Indian Sea Island cotton, known as "gossypium barbadense" or "black seed", is one of the
oldest and most precious varieties in the world, discovered in the early 18th century in the West
Indies. Its production, equal to 0.0004% of the cotton world, concentrated mainly on today the
island of Barbados and Jamaica, two areas that make up a true paradise
In 1792 he became known in London as the highest quality cotton and the most loved by the British
Royal family and other noblemen. His story doesn't have roots in time compared to 4500 years of
cotton.
In 1620, England defeated Spain and began his domination on the Caribbean and finding these
islands suitable for growing cotton, began its cultivation.
In the 18th century, the 70% of raw cotton used in Europe came from the Caribbean was marked
with the N° 278 and sold at a price equal to 400 times the American one.
In the following century its production had decreased due to the industrial revolution, and the
success of mass production.
At the end of the century was transplanted in the United States and engage with a sperm River type,
but when they were damaged by insects and replaced with Egyptian cotton plants of the Caribbean,
remained the only authentic "Sea Island Cotton"
In 1932 the British Ministry of agriculture founded W.I.S.C.A. (West Indian Sea Island Association)
to control the quality and quantity of cotton produced and was called the cotton Quality,
scientifically known as "Gossypium Barbadensis" with excellence characteristics parameters of
fiber: Length, fineness, strength, softness, shine, Silkiness, Elasticity, transpiration, Color,
homogeneity
W.I.S.I.C.A. provides not only certify the origin and the standard of raw material, but to establish
the criteria for all stages of production: seeding, harvesting, spinning, weaving, finishing and
packaging.
Only through strict and qualified analysis of raw materials, semi-finished products, and product
manufacturing processes, it is allowed to use the certification mark of the W.I.S.I.C.A.