A Marriage Between Fashion and Bahamian Straw Work Straw Works by Patricia Chatti

A Marriage Between Fashion and Bahamian Straw Work

By Keesha Claudia Bethell Photographs Courtesy Of Donald Knowles and Patricia Chatti Patricia Chatti

Refreshing. Colourful. Vibrant. The Bahamian Sun. Bahamian Island Life. Bahamian Libations. One-of-A-Kind. Elegant. Fashion-Forward. These are merely some adjectives to define the vibes you’ll experience with any purchase of Straw Works by Patricia Chatti. As a fashion consultant, she wanted to add pieces that were unique to her clients’ personal style with a Bahamian touch for extra pizzazz. That’s when she came up with the concept of “blending and marrying straw work, which is a Bahamian art form”, and her “love for fashion”.

Straw has worked its way through Bahamian history books for hundreds of years beginning when a portion of the African diaspora settled in The Bahamas during the 1700s.

The term ‘straw’ refers to narrow strips of the fibrous dried leaves of several varieties of palms and plants that grow wild in The Bahamas. Straw becomes ‘straw work’ when it is woven or plaited, using various patterns. The plaiter weaves the straw most commonly using from 3 to 15 strings, but in any event, always an uneven number. The end result can be anything from hats, to dinner table decorations and even, yes, you guessed it—handbags.

Chatti’s work is her way of paying her respects to Bahamian culture.

“It’s my way of paying ode to straw but I was doing it in a different way,” said Chatti. “My work was also birthed recognizing that there was a need and trying to fill a demand for that need while also implementing and making a fashion-forward statement to straw.”

In 2020, she took six months to research and create concepts. Over that period, she came up with different looks, shapes, styles, straw plaits and fabrics. She was also able to source her straw and people who could bring her vision to life.

In the summer of 2021, Straw Works by Patricia Chatti was launched with 10 bags. Her bags were named and styled in homage to Bahamian women who use their platforms to make bold statements for the betterment of the country and are fashionistas in their own right. Some of the women on that list include: Ann Marie Davis, wife of the current Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; and Chantel O’Brian, who made history in 2021 when she became the first Bahamian woman to place in the top 10 in the Miss Universe contest in its 70-year history.

Other women with signature collections include:

The Pia Carry-On: This is a large, handcrafted carry-on, crafted from silver top straw and a variety of different patterns to choose from.

The Loretta Shopper Boating Tote: A multi-purpose carry all tote, crafted from silver top straw and a variety of different patterns to choose from.

The Leslia: A clear, large, classic clutch, with a hint of colour accent, crafted from silver top straw and a variety of different patterns to choose from.

Erin: The Godmother of the Seas: A classy, clear, handheld bag, with a colourful pouch inside, crafted from silver top straw and a variety of different patterns to choose from.

Her second line of handbags launched in December 2022.

Straw Works by Patricia Chatti has also extended beyond handbags. There are hats, passport holders, napkin holders and table placemats.

Visitors from the United States and Europe have scooped up Chatti’s work and have them on proud display.

Chatti says she is proud of what she has been able to accomplish in such a short time and says the key to it all was determination to make her vision a reality. She plans to roll out more of her vision one piece at a time. UA Straw Works Clutches and Bags Straw Works Handbags and Hats