Photo: Josue Makandal Bazile1/20Here, I’m pictured at the Buisson home wearing Deux Mains sandals. Fetching clean water from my cousin Josue Makandal Bazile's dispensary. Following the earthquake, founder Julie Colombino and four Haitian partners constructed a workspace in a tent and began crafting sandals out of tires they found in the streets of Port-au-Prince. Six years later, the enterprise has grown to 25 full-time craftsmen and women, three of whom are managers and who also have ownership in the local business that has since been created, Deux Mains Designs. Deux Mains sandals are handcrafted with upcycled tires (more than 10,000 discarded tires have been collectsed) and locally sourced leather. They train, equip, and employ local craftsmen and women to make high-fashion sandals for sale in the international marketplace, provide them with living wages, and empower them to become leaders in their communities.
Photo: Sheively Buisson2/20Discussing brand building, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and dressing high-profile individuals with Chokarella of Radio One, 90.1 FM.
Photo: Azede Jean-Pierre3/20The scene at the local barbershop.
Photo: Sheively Buisson4/20Sandilou founders Sandra Russo and her husband, Alfredo, make their mark in the textile industry with their hand-painted materials. All of their items are created by local, talented artists who hand-paint textiles for silk scarves and sarongs, dresses, and other apparel for the Caribbean tourism market. Sandilou also uses airbrushing and serigraphy techniques. Passionate about giving back to her community, Sandra also provides training to artists.
Photo: Josue Makandal Bazile5/20Jean-Pierre Island. My family is originally from Pestel, Haiti. Pestel is a commune in the Corail Arrondissement, in the Grand’Anse department of Haiti. The commune also includes the Cayemite Islands, known individually as Grande Cayemite and Petite Cayemite. My grandmother was something of a legend: The story goes that she lived alone on the smallest island and entertained suitors. She had many children with sailors passing through and never wed, that is until my grandfather came along. Now, only descendants of my grandfather Jean-Pierre are allowed to build homes and reside on this island.
Photo: Sheively Buisson6/20Haitians’ homes often have beautiful gates with bougainvillea flowers hanging over the top.
Photo: Sheively Buisson7/20Riding in a tap-tap, or a Haitian taxi. Tap-taps are beautifully painted cars used to transport locals around the city. Only fitting that I dress in a style to match my ride.
Photo: Sheively Buisson8/20The Design, Organization, Training Center (DOT) in Port-au-Prince was created by Donna Karan through Urban Zen, with designer Paula Coles, the Parsons School of Design, and Haitian artisans to help bridge Haiti’s traditional techniques with the design innovation needed to succeed in today’s global marketplace. The Haiti Artisan project—an initiative at the DOT—was founded by Karan and promotes economic development through job creation and vocational education, and helps raise awareness and highlights the creativity of Haiti’s artisans. The DOT is dedicated to improving Haitians’ economic opportunities, especially women.
Photo: Sheively Buisson9/20With radio personality Carel Pedre.
Photo: Sheively Buisson10/20Stolen moments with these guys are so very inspiring! My last collectsion was inspired by their uniforms, and I’m so excited to be redesigning uniforms for nine schools in my hometown of Pestel and one school in Port-au-Prince together with Maryse Pénette-Kedar of Prodev, and Cefadec, an organization based in Pestel.
Photo: Stephanie Maneles11/20Backyard views of Bidonville.
Photo: Sheively Buisson12/20The morning we arrived was the inauguration of President Jovenel Moïse. The ground was littered with confetti and streets were crowded with people either celebrating or protesting. The next morning, I was on the nation’s most popular morning radio show—the hot topic being First Lady Martine Moïse’s inaugural dress.
Photo: Sheively Buisson13/20Papillon Enterprise is a socially and ecologically conscious business with a mission of stimulating the Haitian economy by exporting and marketing Haitian artisan goods in the North American and European markets. Papillon's artisans work with pottery, papermaking, jewelry-making, sewing, and metal art, and the majority of the raw materials are sourced locally. The work environment is family-friendly, providing employees with onsite daycare and medical and social benefits. In addition to paying employees a living wage (about three times the minimum wage), it offers social empowerment services including language and literacy development and computer and software training.
Photo: Sheively Buisson14/20
Photo: Sheively Buisson15/20Haggling with local street vendors and artisans.
Photo: Sheively Buisson16/20Family time with my young cousin Beedgy at Papaye Restaurant in Pétion-ville.
Photo: Sheively Buisson17/20Here, I’m pictured in an Azede Jean-Pierre dress inspired by Haiti from the last Spring collectsion in front of Hotel Oloffson.
Photo: Sheively Buisson18/20Home at my friend Sheively’s house just taking in the general splendor of the countryside.
Photo: Sheively Buisson19/20Last but not least, with these animated characters who kept us entertained and safe during the duration of our visit. Our driver, Jacqlin, and our security officer, Gary.
Photo: Sheively Buisson20/20Breakfast at Karibe.
