This month we celebrate our 10 year anniversary !!! Wow. Feels like just yesterday we were putting everything together. We are so grateful to be able to celebrate this milestone and to have created so many great memories along the way. We have so much to look back to. From our workshop parties, birthday celebrations, overcoming challenges together and more, words are too few to describe what celebrating 10 years mean to us. Especially in the times we are living now. Haiti Design Co would not be here without you so join the celebration friends! Visit our instagram page and show us some love by liking our posts, sharing them and commenting your favorite memory of HDC!
The KANAVAL Collection: Studio Baboun x Haiti Design Co
Getting to know Paul Beaubrun
We had the honor of chatting with the talented musician, Paul Beaubrun, back in April. Originally this interview was going to be focusing on Paul’s Haitian American experience, but organically it turned into a conversation about much more. Paul is the real deal. Genuine and humble as they come- full of wisdom and grace, gratitude for his roots and connection seeking with humankind. He is not only a mega talent in his own right, son of the iconic Boukman Eksperyans, but also a beautiful soul.
Enjoy!
My name is Paul Beaubrun. I’m born and raised in Haiti. I was raised in a musical family, Boukman Eksperans. My dad, my mom, my uncle, my aunt, my cousins- they all created a band and I was lucky, my brothers and my sisters- we were raised in that family. And now I live in NY. My first memories of American culture was how direct things were, there was such an energy. When we first got to America we were in New York, and you can imagine, there is such an energy, an electricity, things are moving, moving. I liked it- I liked the fact that things were moving, I have that also in my personality. I loved that things were happening there. I was very engaged in that, that’s my style. I remember when I was young, I used to go to the city- to Manhattan. There was always something there that I loved. It’s not that I don’t like Brooklyn, Queens, I love those areas, but there was something on this island when I’m in Manhattan or Harlem. There is a history there that I really loved, I loved the energy there. That’s one of my first memories when I got to America.
As I grew up, the parts of Haitian culture I felt so proud of were all the types of expressions in our culture. In our music, food, style, dance, paintings. In our culture I love the expression. I think the expression of Haitian culture is so unique- and at the same time you can see how Haiti has touched so many places in America. When it comes to art, to dance, especially music. When you go to New Orleans you feel it, you feel the creole, you feel us there, and I’m proud of that.
If I could reiterate anything to my younger self it would be don't take anything seriously. There's a lot of wisdom in that. It doesn't mean do not commit and doesn't mean when you do something, you don't do it seriously. I would tell my younger self, listen, don't identify yourself with the result, no matter what that is. Don't identify with it. Just accept whatever happens, happens, but keep going, you know, keep going. Don't take it too seriously. Keep moving, keep going.
People were very mean to me in the beginning, because they expected me to be great. You know- “You're not this, you're not that, it should be this. You should do that.” In the beginning it was a struggle for me because I was like, “Oh my goodness. I'm just learning”. Even though my parents play music that doesn't mean I'm going to be great at it, you know, right away. Give me a minute. They expected me to be amazing, and everything has to be impeccable, and it's not like that. And that was hard for me.
The biggest lies that I see need to be decolonized about Haitian culture is around Haitian Vodou. The fact that most people here think it's evil, you know? They just don't have enough information here. I think the best way to learn the truth is to go to a lakou.
When people want to know how to meditate, they go to India or make a trip. They travel there and they come back. They get something from it and they're not scared, they go with an open heart. I think it's the same. If you are interested, you need to go and introduce yourself. Talk to the people responsible, ask them questions, they will tell you. And if you're genuinely interested, you will get your information. You will get what you need to introduce it to your kids, your children and make it a normal thing.
Not like- “oh my God, what is this?” No, it shouldn't be like that. It's a cultural thing. It's one of the most innocent ways of living. It's a way of being. There's a lot of wisdom in it. For example, when you go into a lakou, in Haiti, where I live, you're not allowed to cut trees. You're not allowed to kill animals and you're not allowed to put trash on the floor. You have to protect the rivers. When you walk inside the lakou, we say hi to everyone. It's all about respect to your environment, respect to nature, respect to people. It's simple, but there's a lot of wisdom in it. There's a lot of things in Haiti you don't see enough, but we still have it. When you go to the rural area in Haiti you still feel it. That's what we have, that's important.
When you have the chance to see many different cultures, it’s a chance to see where humans are connected. When I'm looking at the Haitian culture, American culture, in Brazil, anywhere, I'm looking for the connection. You see it is a human expression of many different places, like a big flower, you know, this is human expression- And it's one to me. I would say my ability to see that and always try to bring that through art, to music, to many different styles of music and bring it together- that would be my superpower. You know, I always try to see that.
The biggest thing from all the cultures in my experience that I want to hand down to my kids is respect. You have to bring respect at the forefront, and compassion. For example, if I go somewhere and I see a lot of people playing music, and I don't know them, let's say I don't know the culture at all, for me, I would say, don't jump in it right away, you know, because you have to let it be respected. Give it a moment. Appreciate what you are looking at first. And then little by little, you will feel yourself into it. And the power will invite you to come in. You’re probably gonna have a conversation with someone. You never know what is going to happen, but always let some things breathe and have respect for everything anywhere that you go.
The evolution of my music- it's always been in my head, but now I feel like I'm mature enough to find it. I'm finally at the point where I can play exactly what I had in my head. And I'm happy about that. That's the evolution for me in terms of the artist that I am today, that I'm able to play what's in my head and I'm able to express myself fully and a hundred percent. I know who I am in terms of a man and in terms of a musician, in terms of a human being, and you will feel that in the music.
I'm working on many different projects right now. I'm working with Michael Brun, he is producing my whole album, my solo album. If anyone doesn't know Michael Brun please go check him out. He is one of the greatest producers and is like my brother too, we are like family. He has a good sense in music, which I love, and we have a great connection. He’s producing the whole album for me, it's almost done. And then I was just in Haiti earlier this year and I did a live virtual show for WXPN in Philadelphia with NPR, which they put out in May. We were also able to record an EP from that show with a good friend of mine, an amazing drummer and musician, JohnBern Thomas and many other musicians. We are putting an EP out together from that show. And then I'm working on a project with someone who's doing poetry, her name is Tico Armand. She looks like a goddess, I'm not joking. We're doing a poetry project together and we did some pictures together. I've never worked on anything like that, it is going to be interesting to finish this project. And then I'm working on a couple singles with GA3TAN and Kabysh. GA3TAN is going to blow up real soon because he's one of the most talented DJs and producers. .So a lot of things happening and things are moving together.
QUICK DIVE:
Do you identify as Haitian American?
No, I don't. I identify as a human being, and then from a human being, we can go deeper than that if you want, it depends on the conversation we're having. But first I identify as a human being or a child of the universe. I don't even identify as Haitian, I know I'm Haitian, I know where I come from. I love everything about where I come from. But from reading, from thinking, I see that we are more than our identity and we are more than that. So I tried to connect with people like that through more of their identity.
Who have been your top three inspirations as an artist?
My parents; they were the first people that I saw. And because I can feel them in everything that I'm doing. And the second would be nature. I love nature. I love walking to the mountains, the birds, trees. When you go inside a mountain, you see a waterfall, you see a river. I love things like that, they inspire me a lot. And the third would be listening to a lot of different kinds of music. The serendipity sometimes of listening to someone that you didn't know at all and then they just blow you away. To me, that always sparks a lot in me. That's a big inspiration for me.
What is your inspiration for your style of fashion?
I have always loved style. I can say my style is more vintage because that's all I do. I walk into a lot of vintage stores. I love looking for things that have substance in them.
Where do you tend to find yourself most in your creative flow?
It can be anywhere for me, but there's a couple that I've been seeing lately. When I'm in the shower something will come clear to me or when I'm on the airplane. I've written songs on the airplane. I'm so focused when I’m in the air, it just happens to you.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
It's been a blessing to meet many different people from many different places. To perform with many different musicians. Meeting Arcade Fire and performing with them, Jackson Browne, touring with Ms.Lauryn Hill, Michael Brun. A lot of Haitian musicians that I've admired for a long time, now I’ve had a chance to work with them. There's so many little pieces that come together to create that to me. It's more about the whole journey, but the highlight would be the excitement of being out there. And now we are connected, and I'm discovering your work and I love it. To me, that's a highlight.
If you could share a message with Haitian American elementary students, what is the most important thing you'd want them to know?
This moment that we're living now is such a great moment, it's an opportunity. It's an opportunity for Haitian Americans, an opportunity for black people that didn't have an opportunity back in the day. Just be yourself and take the chance now to just be yourself and create.
What was on your mind when you were writing “Oh, Mama”?
You know when you’re at the edge of knowing yourself fully and you get a little bit frustrated because you know intellectually, mentally you’re there? Sometimes the intellectual, the mental makes you suffer. You’re thinking too much, you’re not living it. So I think at that time that’s where I was. I knew I had a lot inside to say but I couldn’t say it yet, and I think that’s what in that song it felt like.
To stay up to date with all of Paul’s projects and tour dates, make sure to follow him on IG @Paulbeaubrun and check out his website- PaulBeaubrun.com
We had the pleasure of shooting with Paul in preparation for our Brooklyn Circus x Haiti Design Co product launch. Click on the link below to check out the whole limited edition collection of hand-stitched leather essentials.
New Collection COMING SOON!
NEW COLLECTION DROPS 7.1.21
We cannot wait to share this new collection with you all!
Here is a sneak peak of what’s to come and a glimpse into our behind the scenes F21 shoot!
Photos & Video- Ayasha Media
Makeup- @failymakeup
Models- Nathalie Joachim & Kavakia Laguerre
Music- Featuring “Papa" Loko” on Nathalie Joachim’s Grammy nominated album “Fanm D’Ayiti”
Decolonization Through Art
Last year we dove headfirst into the Decolonization Series seeking honest conversations surrounding authenticity, roots, learning & unlearning, and ownership of culture in Haiti. Our series included conversations surrounding the decolonization of beauty, aid, language, the idea of success, the Haitian American experience, and body image. We truly only scratched the surface of these topics- but also realized many times artists can convey our emotions when our words fall short. We’ve been a fan of the talented @Pyelila via IG for a while, and reached out to Lila to commission an illustration inspired by the series. We asked Lila to pick whatever topic he felt most inspired by and run with it. Below is the gorgeous “Marikamèl”, created by Lila and inspired by the topic of decolonizing body image. Lila shared a bit about his background, his personal journey of decolonization through art, and his inspiration for “Marikamèl” below. Please read and enjoy the words from this beautiful soul.
“Marikamèl” by Pyelila for Haiti Design Co. Inspired by the conversation of “Decolonizing Body Image”.
Name: Pierre-Richard Raphael
Age: 30
Location: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
IG account: @pyelila
“I am a visual artist based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I am mostly into Illustration, Graphic Design and photography. I like to explore the infinite creation possibilities offered by my Haitian heritage and to do part in the fight against humanitarian and social issues in the process.”
“I am Pierre-Richard Raphael, I was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I grew up in a cool neighborhood of Carrefour-Feuilles, named Bas-Peu-de-Chose. Back in my childhood days, we used to take our dream era for granted. Sundays were spent barricading streets to play soccer, jamming on good old Original Rap Staff Music, this is a few hours before the elders get tired of our songs then play their cool Tropicana vibes instead, around domino boards and rhum cups. Later at night, as the stress-free kids we were, we would gather on one of our front door steps, wearing lit Power Rangers sneakers, chatting crazily about fantastic things like having superpowers and “lougawou” stories. Haitian folklore literally fueled our conversations. Today, I still live in this neighborhood, some of my friends are still around, we still gather on our front doors steps, some of us with our kids, others with their cameras or beers.
We know now, that we’ve been taking these moments for granted, they have shaped our personality forever and that it is what kept the child in us alive during these years. These episodes of pure and innocent life have shaped my mind in all of its corners. I have been drawing since my third year at pre-school, and dreaming has remained the backbone of my creation process as a full time visual artist. I have always allowed myself to portray and illustrate anything in the most dreamy way possible. One that takes its inspiration from real life but is directing itself towards a more fantastic ethereal perspective. It comes naturally and this helps me levitate into my bubble and create exactly what speaks for me in my journey to haitian valorization through cultural and social decolonization. I knew I had to do, and only do things that say the opposite of what the world is trying to mold me into. Especially regarding residual decolonization powder that will forever stain our society despite all of its blackness.
Back in school, I have always been bullied for my weight, my skin color or even my shyness. Growing up, I realized that my only weapon was and still is my creativity. My ability to turn my thoughts, feelings and emotions into shapes and colors. I don’t think that I would have been inspired to dive into my decolonization journey if life treated me gently or if I were accepted for who I am everywhere I go. That fueled my strong desire to sharpen my assets against what social colonization has left in our spiritual and mental entourage, and these are the values and truth I wish my younger self would have been introduced to a long time ago. That is why picking Body Image from the Decolonization Series would have always been easier for me.
I always choose to keep my Haitian authenticity in my work because we still have unexploited original contents, resources when it comes to culture and art. This is what motivates me to pour my Haitian heritage into whatever I am creating. My art is a faithful instrument to this heritage and I am returning the power of this gift to what has always sourced my inspiration since my childhood. The Haitian Folklore.
I wished to create a piece of art that tells a victorious story with few elements and enough details that evoke fearless freedom and natural emancipation from society standard, while keeping the innocent charm and beauty one possesses without pressure, stress and trauma. It is a responsibility, as an artist, to find aesthetic ways to portray the decolonization movement in order to reach all senses and all kinds of people and help them overcome what may have been blocking their auras from reaching the decolonization-free zone.”
D.S. Series Quick Dive:
What does “decolonization” mean to you personally?
To me, decolonization means swimming out of the tides of false standards society keeps throwing at us everyday and finding the best way to build a strong foundation to keep our beliefs, values and softness well grounded.
What are you most proud of when thinking about being Haitian and Haitian culture?
When it comes to Haitian culture, I am most proud of our haitian and rustic heritage, of vodou culture, and our gastronomic tastes.
Who are a few artists that have been most inspirational to you and your journey?
Frantz Zephyrin has been so inspirational to me from the very start of my career, his style and philosophy are still an enigma to me and this is amazing. But back in my teenage years, I have been mostly inspired by comic book art and fantasy concept art.
