Each time I have interviewed Gillian Bishop in a latest creative venture, I always wonder "what next is this lady going to think of doing."
This indeed was the thought uppermost in my mind as we chatted on Tuesday in the Rain Forest, upstairs the Normandie, about her most recent product, "Tree of Life- aromatherapy", a new line of personal care products made from Shea Butter and a range of essential oils. The jewellery designer's interest in Shea Butter started when beauty consultant, Jean Inniss, mentioned that this African product was said to be excellent for the skin. Gillian found a few lumps in Port of Spain and started experimenting on the kitchen stove. After buying out all that stock, got on the internet and found a supplier in the United States.
Some years ago, Bishop had already put together a line of massage oils, which are used by Canadian-trained masseur, Molly Thurab-Hardy for "by appointment only" aromatherapy massages at the Rainforest salon. Thurab-Hardy, who has practised in Australia, is qualified in Swedish and Shiatsu massage, and Reflexology.
Says Gillian, as she lovingly caresses her designer-packaged products in which no perfumed oils are ever used, "I use strictly essential oils so that I can safely say the pure aromatherapy product I make contains essential oils that I know about."
Actually, Gillian admits to having made creams primarily for Harry Ramnarine, but did not feel she had enough of a range of products. "How could I sell creams without starting from the soap that will leave the skin softer." Shea Butter provided the impetus to start a line of soaps. "I read a lot about all of these things so by the time I began on my product I was familiar with what should happen."
Through research, Gillian learned that this butter was produced in Burkina Faso, (formerly the Upper Volta), a very poor country in Africa, where 95% of the women work in agriculture, and make this butter from the fruit of a tree, after a day's work in the fields, to supplement their income which is almost non-existent. The literacy rate is a very low 9%, and there is a 45 year life expectancy. "They make this stuff for women to beautify themselves. The fruit yielded by the tree is boiled, pounded and the grease in it (pretty much like cocoa butter) used for Shea butter" says Gillian, who believes something similar can be made from the seed of a mango and needless to say, is already thinking of this for her next venture .
At the recent launch of the Tree of Life range during tea and a Joanna Pyle performance, Gillian presented a plaque to Grace Talma, pledging to donate not less than 5% of the retail selling price of each item sold by her company under the Tree of Life label containing the substance Shea Butter, Butyrospernum Parkiito. to the United Nations Association of Trinidad and Tobago. "These funds are to be made available through the United Nations or one of its agencies to our sisters in Burkina Faso to be used in an appropriate Child Care Programme in that country."
To follow the hand milled soaps of peppermint/spice, orange/ylang ylang or lavender/oatmeal, in one's daily skin care programme, there are many creams which says Gillian "can be applied to your skin any time of day or night that you feel it is needed." Balm of Frankincense and Precious Balm are for mature skins; oatmeal facial scrub needs no explanation and will exfoliate all impurities; while Lavender Moisturising Lotion and Sandalwood Moisturizing Cream can be used at anytime. A facial cleanser from geranium and lavender in a base of grapeseed is for all skin types "whether you have oily or dry skin" explains Gillian "the geranium causes the body to produce regular amounts of sebum which makes the skin moist and oily, but it also balances the glands that produce sebum, if there is too much it will then produce less, too little it will produce more, so it balances one way or the other."
Gillian cannot remember the last time she has taking a pill for a headache or stress: "A lavender compress stops a headache and a rub with a combination of neroli, sandalwood and clarysage puts an end to stress." The result is an array of massage oil blends for arthritis, hair conditioning, post-exercise, pre-exercise, stress relief, super stress relief, tired feet. Other preparations include a clay mask, grapefruit facial toner, body powder, bath salts and canned potpourri.
Accessories include a spice room fragrancer made with local vetivert, cinnamon, lemon grass and nutmegs in an attractive wooden frame, and a wood 'n torchon body brush. "We are so blessed, we have such lovely things right here, I go to the market with whoever will go with me. And also through my network of employees, friends and people, generally find who has a supply of what I need."
And through her Signature Company, Gillian's hand made designer boxes are ideal for giving a gift of the Tree of Life range, and the very neat wooden container will hold several items on your bathroom table. It boggles the mind that one woman is able to create designer jewellery, the most beautiful range of trophies made from wood and brass, fashion with which to model her jewellery, not to mention the unusual names for all that she produces, and still finds time "to sometimes sing with the Lydians."
"Simple" says Gillian "just as I go to the bench with a feeling of what I should do with the jewellery, it is the same like making the line of personal care products. And as I always say if things are happening for you then you are doing it right."