A few weeks ago I attended the third edition of Haiti Fashion Week (HFW) at the Karibe Hotel Convention Center in Petion-Ville, Haiti held from October 31st through November 2nd. Since I haven’t had time to post the pictures from the 4 day event, I’ll be posting my favorite designers from the show throughout the month of December on different days. You’ll have to check in everyday to see which designer I’ve posted for that day.
The showcase of talent kicked off October 30th with fashions and accessories by 40 designers from Haiti, Mexico, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Guyana, Canada, and other nations.
“Haiti Fashion Week has been a significant success over the last three years,” said internationally acclaimed designers Maguy Durce, President of HFW. “It has become a platform not only to share the tremendous talent that exists here locally with the world, but also a forum for collaboration and partnership, as we saw this year with Mexico.”
Designers Included: Jean Yves Marchand – Marly Clervin – Gaëlle Nerette – Mélissa Etienne – Ruth Dupoux – Lauriane Pernock – Miko Guillaume – Ludvigne Victor Tardieu – Kathelen Douyon – Robert Young – Malou Cadet – Daphnée Floréal – Martine Valcin – Percida Louison – Queen Esther Joseph – David André – Nora David – Arcadio Diaz – Musset Payant – Michaëlle Baussan Stines – Les écoles de mode Vêtements – United colors of fashion – Phelicia Dell – Charles Dieujuste – Gerry Romain – Myrielle Pierre – Sonia Noël – Watson St Louis – Miko Guillaume – Ruthshell Guillaume – Michel Chataigne – Sibyl Denis Touat – Maguy Durcé.
The opening gala kicked off with music performances by Mexican singers and a mariachi band. At each of the three nights that followed, attendees were dazzled by unique, innovative, and out of the box signature pieces.
The weekend also included special appearances by international VIPs, and celebrities and a Mariachi band. Attendees shopped in the daily marketplace and participate in a series of workshops and forums that focused on strategies to promote Haiti’s growing fashion industry, obtain financing, and expand into global markets.
Although I didn’t receive much hospitality and service from some of the staff members, the production of the shows was very organized with great music lighting and live performances. I had such a great time meeting all the designers and models. The models and designers were very friendly, welcoming and happy to take pictures and mingle with the guest. The diversified group of models included models from the United states from many different places including Miami Here is a few pictures of my experience during the week.
I traveled to Haiti with seven female entrepreneurs from South Florida. Some of the members from the group spent the four days volunteering their time backstage dressing the models, supplying make up and more.
Every September in New York City, fashion week is one of the hottest activities in fashion globally, I cannot wait to see what Haiti Fashion Week has in store next year as they continue in their attempts to leverage a similar forum to host runway shows produced by native designers.
Here are a few pictures of my experience backstage with the models, guest and performers.
