3 ways the HDC Makers Box is making a positive impact right now

Hi friends!

Amidst all of the chaos happening in our beloved Haiti, we’d like to give you a little update.

So far this year, there has been both some good and devastating news. The good news is that, we have joined forces with 2nd Story Goods! (Link 2nd story goods retail site here) The Haiti Design Co mantra is the well known Haitian Proverb, “Men anpil, chay pa lou” or “many hands make the load light”. We’re combining the strengths of both companies and putting our many hands together to continue to serve our customers and to continue bringing the makers of both brands to market!

The most devastating news is that, the week of March 11th, our horn and bone partner Boss André’s shop was vandalized. Most of their equipment was stolen and their main source of income was taken away from them. Many are asking for ways to support. We encourage you to give through https://www.gofundme.com/f/sos-haiti-solidarity-with-artists-artisans?fbclid=IwAR3ttujE-4kzLLzjHFj-gy7Qd4FUwvz5wgGVMGox2_s56SUrKmM4mG5Yd30, a collaborative effort that will go to support Boss André Paul as well as several other artisan workshops who are facing the same tragedy, to help them replace what was lost and rebuild their livelihoods.

In addition to this, we highly encourage you to support through our Makers Box! The Makers Box is your chance to get to know the team members better and receive an exclusive collection at a discount. Every 3 months, our subscribers receive a box spotlighting an artisan partner. The box includes 5-7 handmade products, a note from the artisan and a beautiful proverb card from our team. Now, more than ever, the artisans need our support and the Makers Box is one of the best ways to offer continued support.

1. The Makers Box is an effective way to sustain those who already have existing jobs that they depend on.

It unfortunately would not be realistic to say that we can create new jobs in Haiti right now. However, we can definitely empower those who already have their own businesses. So many talented artisans all around the country are not able to work because of lack of equipment, gang violence, lack of tourism in the country and more. By placing orders, we empower those who already have their businesses and workshops to keep going.

2. The Makers Box is a way to make sure Hait’s beauty is shared with the world.

In a time where the news is flooded with images of violence and disaster, it can be hard to hold on to the beautiful. When you subscribe to the box, each quarter, you will receive beauty right at your doorstep. You can share the handcrafted items you receive with your family and friends and post photos on social media to show a different side of Haiti. What a wonderful way of promoting the beauty of Haitian-made goods, at a time when it is so needed.

3. The Makers Box is an easy way to keep a piece of Haiti in your home and heart.

How many of you carry Haiti in your hearts even though you might not be able to travel there at the moment? The box includes 5-7 handmade products that each represent Haiti and tell a story. The Makers Box helps you keep Haiti alive in your heart through jewelry, leather, and other handmade pieces, and can serve as a reminder to think about and pray for her often. We hope this serves as a reminder that even when tragic things we see in the news feel out of our control, there are still things we can do that make a very real difference. We invite you to sign up for the Makers Box and support Haitian artisanal work! Men anpil, Chay pa lou. (Here we need to insert information about the makers box, how many times a year you get it and how much it costs and then a button to the page to sign up)

A day in the life of our fall interns

Here we share the journey of producing a shoot for 4 hours in NYC. As interns we share our ideation, production, and execution below. Below is a quick introduction, before we dive right into the day!

Hey readers!

My name is Anshika Loomba, I am a sophomore at Parsons School of Design. I am majoring in strategic design and management with a double minor in fashion communication and Capitalism studies.

My name is Tiffany Thomas, I am a freshman at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I am majoring in advertising marketing and communications.

SHOOTING WITH HAITI DESIGN CO

This past Saturday me and my colleague went to Washington Square Park to shoot photographs of models and Haiti Design Co. products. Although it was a bit chilly, it was such an incredible experience. The models happened to be my close friends from The Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design were absolutely stunning. They were thrilled to be a part of the shoot and even fell in love with the products. My personal favorites in the shoot were the aluminum mobile earrings and the black canteen bag. They’re perfect for the colder seasons! It was such a welcoming and liberating experience, and we received quite a few compliments. Although it took some time to arrange the shoot, the photos are beautiful and I’m so pleased with how it all turned out. More and more content will be coming out each day, so make sure to follow Haiti Design Co.’s Instagram page!

Capturing our models at the moment - with our photographer Anshika

THROUGH THE PHOTOGRAPHERS LENS

Capturing the essence of Haiti Design Co's fall collection through the lens was an exhilarating experience, as the vibrant colors and intricate textures of each piece unfolded in front of the camera. From the rich autumnal palette to the handcrafted details, every garment told a unique story of artistry and tradition. The shoot became an exploration of cultural depth and a celebration of the craftsmanship behind each design. Navigating through the dynamic landscapes, we were able to encapsulate the spirit of the fall collection against the backdrop of Haiti's natural beauty. It was more than just a photo shoot; it was an immersive journey, embracing the fusion of style and culture. The collaboration with Haiti Design Co. allowed for a seamless blend of creativity and tradition, making it a genuinely enjoyable experience to capture the soulful essence of the fall collection.

Written by Anshika Loomba - Check Out Anshika’s Instagram

Written by Tiffany Thomas - Check Out Tiffany's Instagram

Down memory lane with Katelyn Hollis

“The heart and soul of the artisans came out in every piece they crafted and watching Chandler and Josh not only perfect designs, but work side by side with each team kept me going daily.”

— Katelyn Hollis

Happy birthday HDC!

The memories of HDC are truly endless. I Can’t quite describe in one story how that corner workshop became my respite and home over years of life. The sewing, leather, and jewelry teams became my family and Renel hammering in the yard along with lucknort Marjo and Mona bustling around the house making sure the flagship was operating properly.

I started working with HDC and moved into the workshop and took on whatever role they could give me. Packing orders, emailing shop owners, and then putting together the bear bones of the workshop market along with the smoothie bar cafe, every part of HDC became my home and family.

I got to experience each team uniquely and came to love each artisan intricacy. Watching the jewelry pieces getting strung one by one and then watching the leather team work their magic to hand sew the silky leather products from step to step.

I remember the sewing ladies would sit at their pedal machines while chattering and laughing and sewing everything from zippers to dresses. I was the lucky receiver of the masterpieces as each team would give me their work to pack up to be shipped off to anxious and excited new owners.

The heart and soul of the artisans came out in every piece they crafted and watching Chandler and Josh not only perfect designs, but work side by side with each team kept me going daily. Sitting in the design room talking with Chandler and Fabienne about the collaborations of designs that would soon become entire collections was such a dream for me. The cooking with Mona to the leather buffing, HDC is forever a place that I will call home.

Down memory lane with Justin Curtice

My first memory of HDC Josh had asked me to come over there for some reason to look at something for him.  In normal Haiti fashion he got stuck in traffic and I was just waiting for him forever.  At the time I could barley speak any creole. Adelson came out and kept trying to say something to me…….but to no avail.I just couldn’t understand what he was trying to say. He then made sign language that resembled eating. I realized he wanted me to come eat with him. So I go inside his house and his wife Majorie had made this amazing tasting fish.We sat there and shared a meal together without even being able to communicate to each other much of anything. After that Josh showed up and we ended up looking at his electrical or whatever his problem was.  Ever since that day Adelson and I always had a cool connection.   

After that day, I pretty much got recruited to be HDCs maintenance guy. Anytime they had a problem I was called over to try and solve it or fix it.   Usually if I couldn’t fix it, I could find someone else that could.  Let it be Robert or Gaetan.  

Kobus, Josh, Gaetan and I build the gazebo/pergola thing on the roof of HDC.   I was over there so often all of the workers from the night guard to the leather guys to the jewelry ladies to the administration ladies upstairs all pretty much knew me by name.   I would hear my name called out on the  streets in Clercine and usually it would end up being some one from HDC saying hi to me.  

I have so many fond memories of HDC.  Many times I’d hang out with Josh late into the night as he was trying to iron out the kinks of some new leather product they were about to come out with “NEXT WEEK!”   One time he let me go pick out my own leather from the scrap bin and make my own passport cover. He basically gave me a little guidance and let me pick out all my own stamps or anything I wanted to add to it.  I love that passport cover.  I’ve also been rocking a wallet from them ever since I bought it probably back in like 2017.   

Being a part of HDC was an awesome testament to what community actually means.   That’s one thing I had in Haiti that has always been hard to find anywhere else after leaving!

Wading through the storm: Louis Henri Mars from Lakou Lapè

“You must also understand the root causes of why Haiti is the way it is and have a clear vision of how to contribute to change. You need to understand the effects of slavery and colonial trauma....Haiti is a very deep and complex country but once you come to understand what is going on you can get to work and have deep purpose and hope in your life in Haiti.”

— Louis Henri Mars

The Wading through the storm series has been nothing but a breath of inspiration. Seeing how so many Haitians are deciding to stand tall in the middle of the storm and take action reminds us all of the strength that lies within us all to not only face difficulties but create new and beautiful things from them.

We had the pleasure to virtually sit down and be inspired by Louis Henri Mars, the heart behind Lakou Lapè, a community engaged in conflict transformation through dialogue and mutual understanding. We left this interview inspired and motivated to do our best within our circle of influence.

How did Lakou lapè come to existence? What is the story behind all of this?

Lakou Lapè is a community of people from various walks of Haitian society, engaged in conflict transformation and peace building through dialogue. It is organized as a Community Association legally recognized by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Lakou Lapè was formed as a result of the peacebuilding activities in Haiti of Irish NGOs, The Glencree Center for Peace and Reconciliation (Glencree) and Concern Worldwide (CWW) between 2006 and 2011 with funding from the European Union (EU). In 2006 those organizations started a dialogue process modeled on the peace process in Ireland in the disadvantaged neighborhood of Saint Martin. One of the lessons that came out from those dialogues was that violence in the neighborhood had external actors identified by residents as the Private Sector and the Political Sector of Haiti. As I was friends with the Deputy Director of Concern in those days and she knew that I had spent 20 years running businesses and owning businesses in Haiti she asked me to connect the dialogue process happening in St martin to the private sector which I did. In 2007 following a very successful mixed sector retreat we came to understand that it was possible to create “community” between different sectors of society through dialogue. 5 years later, after multiple exchanges and experiences together, including the food riots in 2008, the 2010 earthquake, Lakou Lapè was born.  From Saint Martin, the dialogue extended to Bel Air, Martissant, Cite soley, the political sector, young people, other towns and areas such as Canaan, Miragoane and Archaie

What has been the most touching story for you during your job?

Over the years the most important moment of understanding, the day the light came on, was when rich people from the business community and poor people from different sectors of the hood of Saint Martin, including gang members , were able to come to see each other as valid human beings, come into “common humanity” through a process of getting to know each other deeply over the course of a weekend. This is what has fueled our quest for peace since then.

What do you do when you feel discouraged?

When I feel discouraged, I go for a walk in my neighborhood. I breathe, I inhale, I feel the air come into my lungs, the breeze on my skin.  I look at the flowers, at the trees, I try to name them. I look at people in the street, how they walk, the expression on their faces, at the diversity of God’s beauty all around me. The blue sky, the clouds. I breath and I see how much of a wonderful world God has created and I am part of it still. It’s a form of full awareness meditation. It never fails to put me back on track and back to work. 

This work requires so much mental and emotional energy. How do you refuel and rest ?

Besides meditation (not enough of it) I pray (not often enough). I am learning to pray non formally, just by breathing, just by “being”.  I go for walks; I do yoga as often as I can although it’s not yet a real discipline for me. I watch a lot of soccer on tv (too much). I go to concerts, and art exhibitions (even in the hardest of kidnapping times). I try to travel out of the country as much as I can to get out of the craziness at every opportunity.  I love old metal pieces, so I accumulate junk metal in my home and in my yard. I promised myself to make metal sculptures out of them but have not gotten round to it yet. I also very much try to keep contact with my family which is dispersed in the States and in Europe. 

As someone making a direct impact on the country, what encouragement would you give people who feel hopeless about Haiti right now?

You must focus on your circle of influence and not on your circle of concern. You must look at the small victories around you. You will be surprised at how you are influencing things and people in ever larger circles. Take a step back and enjoy the people. Those you have impacted and those impacted by others. Both the “good” and the “bad”. People are key to Haiti. Getting them to work as a team regardless of color, social background, ethnic origin, economic status, cultural and spiritual anchoring is, for me the goal. When you look at English soccer teams sometime there is only one Englishman in the team, all the other players come from diverse nationalities, yet they play as a team. That is how the Haitians should be playing also. They can’t even see that need yet. There is “work” to be done to get there.

You must also understand the root causes of why Haiti is the way it is and have a clear vision of how to contribute to change. You need to understand the effects of slavery and colonial trauma. The transmission of trauma and colonial heritage. For that you must get away from the ersatz of cheap journalism or books written by former marine corps colonels or French colonists and their spiritual descendants. Haiti is a very deep and complex country but once you come to understand what is going on you can get to work and have deep purpose and hope in your life in Haiti.

we are more than grateful to louis henry for taking the time to pour his heart and knowledge out. we hope you finish reading this feeling inspired and empowered to make a difference in your community. do not forget to check out lakou lapè on all platforms where they are present and encourage how you can.