O U R S T O R Y
Haiti Design Co was founded in 2014 with the goal to bring about sustainable development through design, training, and job creation.
Our mantra around the workshop is "MEN ANPIL, CHAY PA LOU". This is an old Haitian proverb meaning "MANY HANDS MAKE THE LOAD LIGHT".
We believe that there is commonality between the designer, maker, and consumer, and that when working together we can help lighten each other's load and bring about lasting positive impact.
Little by little our small workshop has grown and evolved into a training and production center employing over 150 people within our workshop and HDC partner branches. Over the years, HDC has collaborated with many talented designers that have come to Haiti and led workshops to train teams in new and better production techniques. These collaborations have been the foundations for many of the teams we are able to employ today.
Haiti Design Co houses and partners with production teams working in many types of artisan crafting, including leatherwork, sewing, jewelry making, aluminum casting, metal work, weaving, beadwork, horn & bone, tailoring, and shoe making. We work to provide consistent employment in-house in order to give job training and stability to individuals in vulnerable situations, as well as raise up artisan leaders to succeed as independent entrepreneurs in the community.
We believe the marriage of design and purpose can have A long lasting ripple affect of development and community building.
O U R M I S S I O N
WHAT WE BELIEVE IN...
COLLABORATION //
bridging the gap between makers in the U.S. and makers in Haiti in order to share skills and create products with a meaningful impact.
PUrchasing power //
giving the consumer the opportunity to use their purchasing power for good and take part in the movement of slow fashion.
SKILL TRAINING //
Developing craftsmen and leaders that are able to use their skills to provide for their families and contribute to the development of their community.
O U R M O D E L
T W O - P A R T M O D E L
In-house Training & Employment
Employees are trained in-house in leatherwork, sewing, or jewelry making. The goal is to provide skill training, consistent employment, and resources for personal growth.
They are provided with a healthy lunch daily, health care options, savings accounts, emergency loans, counseling, and educational resources. A big focus here is creating a safe, encouraging, and family-like work environment where individuals are supported and pushed towards personal growth and leadership.
Artisan Entrepreneur Development
Many of our leaders in-house have dreams of starting their own business. We work side-by-side to bring this dream to a reality and give them the business training and resources needed to be successful entrepreneurs implementing the same values they learned while working in-house:
BUSINESS MENTORSHIP
ACCESS TO MARKET
DESIGN TRAINING
