KANAVAL Collection- an introduction letter from our founder

Haiti Design Collective

April 11, 2022

Ayiti Cheri

HDC Fam & friends-

I’m so excited to share with you this week the launch of our new collaboration collection with Studio Baboun: KANAVAL!

Studio Baboun is a creative house based in NYC with proud roots in Haiti. Founded by Haitian artist and provocateur Steven Baboun in 2022, Studio Baboun is a world of innovation, color, provocation, and unmatched creativity. Studio Baboun works with artists and brands from all over the world to create meaningful and exciting storytelling through experimental film making, photography, set design, large-scale textile installations, video installations, and more.

I’ve been following Steven Baboun’s work over the years; I’ve fangirled over his strikingly colorful art direction and cried laughing at his hilarious alter-ego @marie.claude.bebi. I’ve also been inspired by his story and the way he vibrantly lives representing all parts of himself- Haitian, Syrian, Queer, lover of Christ, Artist, Performer, and more. His vibrant, signature look of draped bright and bold textiles instantly takes me to the spirit of Kanaval- and hearing about his personal connection with what Kanaval season meant to him growing up made this collection’s theme a no-brainer. Although Kanaval season is technically over, the spirit of what it represents is something we want to celebrate year round. (And I know you’ll find these playful and bright pieces especially perfect for your beach travels this summer!)

One aspect of Steven’s story, being a part of the Queer Haitian community, really echoed many other stories I’ve heard throughout my time living in Haiti. It felt very important to me that this collection supports and advocates for an organization on the frontlines fighting for one of the most vulnerable and underserved communities in the world- the LGBTQ community in Haiti. That is why we chose to partner with KOURAJ- an organization fighting for protection, legislation, and representation of the “masisi” communities in Haiti. They are also working to reclaim the term masisi- a notoriously violent and derogatory term meant to isolate and harm those who identify as queer within Haiti.

Growing up in America, I’ve seen a huge evolution over the years of representation and advocacy for the LGBTQ communities. While there is a ways to go, especially in the heartbreaking current political climate, I still see cultural acceptance and protections that the queer community in Haiti have never been afforded. What is most striking to me about this is what Haiti’s history represents to the world- FREEDOM & LIBERATION. Haiti’s revolution created a ripple effect of liberation for the world, yet its queer community has never experienced cultural liberation aside from the brief moments of Kanaval.

Why is Haiti Design Co, an artisan accessories company, advocating for queer rights within Haiti?

Because I firmly believe as a brand our job is to use our platform, no matter how big or small, to ask questions and start conversations that advocate for, bring justice to, and uplift ALL Haitians- no matter their economic status, what language they speak, their immigration status, their sexuality, or their gender identity. We are here for all.

And if we’ve learned anything from history, it is that love and good wishes alone do not bring change. Silence does not stop the violence, and my friends, this community is experiencing violence on a daily basis. We cannot look away. From day one our mantra at Haiti Design Co has been the Haitian proverb “Men Anpil, Chay Pa Lou”, meaning “Many Hands Make the Load Light”. The heart of HDC is just that- to lighten the load of our brothers and sisters, and we all are in fact brothers and sisters- no matter race, religious beliefs, status, or sexuality.

Our new collaboration collection with Studio Baboun is first and foremost FUN! It’s playful, it’s tropical, it’s for everyone! It also has a deeper meaning and further impact. I invite all of you to join us this Sunday (April 24th) at 5 pm EST for an IG Live conversation with the founder of Studio Baboun, Steven, and the founder of KOURAJ, Hetera Estimphil.

I recognize that for some of you this advocacy may make you a little uncomfortable- that’s ok. I invite you to come with an open mind and heart. Come ready to listen. The most important thing we can do in seeking justice for the vulnerable is to humanize the person, to see past our differences and find ourselves in them. I invite you to come ready to do that.

To Queer community in Haiti- we see you, we love you, we know you were perfectly and uniquely created just as you are.

And I thank you for your continued support of our artisans and your allyship with the Queer community in Haiti! Please check out the links below to see more ways you can support.

Limyè ak lanmou pou tout!

-Chandler Hamilton, Founder of Haiti Design Co

Donate to KOURAJ

SHOP KANAVAL

Haiti Design Collective

July 16, 2021

Ayiti Cheri

An update from Haiti

Haiti Design Collective

July 16, 2021

Ayiti Cheri

Hey friends!

Thanks for taking the time to be in this space and support us in the way that you do. I’ve wanted to send an update for a while, but it’s been hard to put words to all the feelings of the situation that continues to cause so much pain and fear in Haiti.

For many it seems the news on July 7th of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse was a huge shock. I was reading so many headlines in the international news and across social media as if this was a heartbreaking tragedy that was out of the blue. I want to acknowledge the pain and trauma that the former President’s family is experiencing- no one should have to live through that. And simultaneously must say that hundreds of families in Haiti, particularly in Port au Prince- in Village de Dieu, in Martissant, in Delmas 32, know this pain and trauma all too well as it has become the norm of day to day life since 2018, but particularly this year.

Leading up to July 7th, we had experienced on-going peyi lock since the summer of 2018. We had experienced a 200% increase in kidnappings; leaving the house with an uncertainty if you would return became the new norm. We saw the remaining infrastructure of a democracy crumble as the current regime laid a path towards dictatorship. We saw already hurting businesses (ours included) take a devastating hit as the currency was so drastically manipulated last fall. We heard violent threats that were acted out from gang leaders as they expanded their control in many areas. We saw innocent lives such as Evelyne Sincere tragically taken from this earth as kidnappings with no consequence became the norm. We mourn the lives of truth seekers such activist Netty Duclaire and journalist Diego Charles who were not afraid to speak out against the corruption. The physical threat of people speaking out in Haiti is all too real- that’s where we are today.

This all needs to be acknowledged because July 7th was not an isolated event- it was the pot boiling over that has been on the edge for a while.

What I’ve expressed above does not at all encompass the layers of political and international transgressions that contributed to the state of Haiti today, but it does give you an honest sense of what’s been happening in our world.

This space, Haiti Design Co, is meant to be one that uplifts and elevates the beauty and talent of Haiti. Sometimes we have to find a balance between doing that and being honest with what’s going on. Over the years in the wake of a natural disaster or political turmoil we have directed people in this space to buy Haitian made products or donate to a specific project of impact in Haiti. And with a heavy sigh, here we are again. How many more of those messages can we share? It’s all been said.

We try our best to stay focused on what we CAN do- creating jobs, holistic employee support, business start up, promoting Haitian made. Yet…. Many times lately it feels futile.

There is so much around us that can make us feel as if we are drowning- so much uncertainty and elements out of our control. But what I know to be true, to be real- is the impact in our little community from these jobs created. I know there’s a lot we can’t fix, but there is a whole lot of good when we focus on what we can fix.

There continue to be light carriers along the way- local business owners who refuse to give up. Those warriors pressing on against all odds- building, growing, and investing in Haiti based businesses and services. Those who refused to let their joy and vision be stolen from the situation and push forward to invest in the impact they can have around them. And also the customers- you amazing beings showing up to support Haiti made and keeping us working during these dark days.

So today I want to thank those heros (well mostly Sheros really). Thank you for giving us inspiration.

Ou pa janm te bag vag 🖤

Below I’m going to link some of my favorite local Haitian-made businesses that I encourage you to support! Another big support to us would be you joining HDC Fam, our monthly contributors that support our holistic employee programs. You can donate once or join HDC Fam below.

Keep carrying the light forward friends! Pa lage!

-Chandler

Co-founder of HDC