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

The story behind the aluminum message cuff

Back in 2013 we had a jewelry team member who had a pate business in the mornings. I asked her who she bought her chodyè from and if she could introduce me. She brought in a young man, Jeff. Jeff’s father had a chodyè business (traditionally used in Haiti to make large pots for cooking) and had just recently passed away. Jeff had inherented the craft, but at the time he was maybe 19 or 20. I gave him an old bangle I had from Madewell and asked if he could cast it. Little by little we started discovered other techniques and styles he could make with the sand casted aluminum. He then switched to making chodye jewelry full time with a team of his own.

At one point we were experimenting and I gave him a set of letters to try and stamp the bracelets. He discovered how to make them look really smooth and add the black accent. From there, the message bracelets grew.

These Malleable, sand casted aluminum cuff with a message are so loved. Each cuff has a message with a story!

The first one he brought me I believe was “Tout Bagay Deja Byen”, which means “Everything is already well” or “It is well”, a phrase he chose.

“Kite Yo Pale” was inspired by a sticker on the side of the moto of a driver for HDC. I always loved it.

In 2022, a dear HDC friend, Anne-Marjorie introduced a limited edition bracelet with the message “Lavi abandons”. You can click here to learn more about the story behind it

The aluminum team’s motto is “Tèt ansan fè n ou viv pi bèl”, ‘With our heads together, we can live more beautifully”. Learn more about Jeff and his team through this video

Partner Highlight: MADE GLOBAL

Five years ago, I started Made after seeing the incredible impact that social enterprises (like HDC) were having in Haiti by providing people jobs with fair pay + many other provisions. They were people first businesses, understanding that if a business can only survive by unfair payment and treatment of employees, the business model is not working. Even further, it was after realizing that over half of the world’s orphans still had parents who were unable to afford raising their children, even though many had full-time work that I started to dig further into how we can be a part of creating work that opens the door for families to stay and thrive together.

The more I became exposed to the important conversation of ethical fashion, the more I dreamed of bringing something to my city —Williamsburg, Virginia. I wanted Williamsburg to have a place to purchase fair trade and ethically-made goods while getting to know the people who made what they’re buying. I wanted people to realize how connected we are and to shop in a way that honors our connectedness and celebrates the stories.

So, I bought a few pieces from talented artisans I knew in Haiti, and I hosted our first pop-up at my favorite local coffee shop. Then, we started selling online, continuing to partner with new groups all around the world who were making quality and stunning pieces, sharing their stories and inviting people to shop differently —considering the story that started before them. From the beginning, we have wanted to open our own brick and mortar shop, but I knew we needed to grow slow and take our time. I had a lot to learn, as I had only non-profit experience and hardly knew anything about running a business. A few months ago, we signed a lease on our first space which will hopefully open by next spring. My goal with the shop is to create a space that invites people to consider the stories behind what they buy through purchasing, our workshops, book clubs and other educational opportunities. It has been a journey and I am loving it.

There are three thing I love most about what I do: One, I love getting to tell good stories — and I get to do a lot of that. I absolutely love sharing with someone about who made what they are considering purchasing, helping people to see the story that started before them.

Two, I love watching people change their shopping patterns and habits to make space for better living for others. When a customer tells me they are buying less so they can buy better, it is a good day.

Three, I love seeing what people make and celebrating it. Buying, selling, sharing, and getting to support good employment is an absolute joy.

I met HDC years ago through the non-profit I work for, Wings of Refuge, Inc. We would bring groups to visit and a few of the teens in our program interned for HDC during the summer months. Over the years, Chandler, Josh, and Fabienne have been amazing at connecting me to the work

A few of our current favorites — my whole team has and loves the Julienne bag. A few customer favorites — the black essentials crossbody bag, keyfobs, the Cheri necklace, and the scrunchie fanny pack.

Why is buying ethically important to you?

Simplified, because people matter — more than anything. I want my decisions to make life better for others, those I rub shoulders with here in Williamsburg, and those I may never meet. Shopping ethically is not a luxury; it’s believing that people are worth fair wages no matter the cost.

One of the reasons I started made is because I want to be a part of creating a world where fair and safe employment is the norm — where a child doesn’t have to grow up in an orphanage because their mom can’t make enough at her full time job + where child labor really is something of the past (not just in this country).

I think sometimes we think fighting for justice requires huge grand gestures, and while it might sometimes, most days it can look like choosing to be intentional about where we spend our money. Because EVERYTHING has a story that started before we bought it, and we get to choose what stories get worn, represented, and told over and over.

Brands I love at the moment:

I am a huge fan of Known Supply and all that they stand for. I love their commitment to sustainability in every sense, from fair wages to organic materials. Anchal Project in India is another favorite that I will carry more of in our shop. I love the way the women combine traditional methods with fresh design. As far as what I wear, it is mostly all secondhand, thrifted around town or from Poshmark, with some ethical brands woven within.

“Shopping ethically is not a luxury; it’s believing that people are worth fair wages no matter the cost.”

— Holly Webb

Anne-Marjorie rocking her Haiti Design Co earrings

All you need as a Monday Mood Booster is a nice pair of earrings from Haiti Design Co and a bomb Haitian Music playlist 🇭🇹 ✨ “Anye” by Tifane always gets Anne-Marjorie up and ready to tackle the day! What is one Haitian song that always boosts your mood?

Introducing… The VALÈ SERIES

What comes to your mind when we talk about Value ? In the practical sense of the word, to value something means to cherish it and to acknowledge its importance. We can recognize the beauty in something but not cherish it enough…not give it the respect it deserves. Many of us Haitians feel like this when it comes to our heritage. Whether we talk about our food, our art, our people or our language, we cannot help but feel like many things in Haïti are treasures many cannot seem to see. Could it be that the reason for this is that we do not Value them enough?

The series Valè aims to do just that: Diving into different aspects that we love most about Haitian culture. The people, the history, the oral traditions that make up valè nou. 

We had the chance to collaborate with Anne-Marjorie René, an audio-visual storyteller who is dedicated to promoting Haïti through her creations. Let’s read more about what she has to say has she explains why she values small Haitian businesses so much.

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PART 1: Valuing Haitian Entrepreneurs

I am Anne Marjorie René, a creative entrepreneur and visual storyteller. I was born and raised in Port-au-Prince but I am a country girl at heart. I come from a lineage of machanns and artisans and I am passionate about storytelling, community building and economic development.

Haitian Valè for me is a combination of things that make our essence. Part of our heritage and identity that we thoughtfully pass down from a generation to another. I value so many things about our culture and the way we function as people. I love how small business owners like to include God’s names and attributes in their business’s names, I love how the traveling street vendors make entertaining songs that they sing out loud to market their products, I love how content most of us are, it is beautiful to see how happy and resourceful we can be with so little while cultivating generosity .

I love to serve my community with my gifts, being able to connect people while creating opportunities for them. I am humbled to tell their stories to the world, to shine light on our true colors and show our bright side.

I believe that entrepreneurship is one of the key tools to foster economic development. Our community revolves around enterprises that meet almost all of our needs and give us the solutions to our problems. Leveraging entrepreneurship will make our community economically viable and it potentially bring stability. Entrepreneurship can easily take Haiti from aid to trade.

I grew up around so many entrepreneurs who impacted my life in a special way.

Frantz Jean-Ba is an artist I met a few years ago at place Saint-Pierre; he makes beautiful paintings that move me. He also has a stand where he sells arts and crafts for other artisans who cannot afford to have their own stand. It’s one of my favorite places to shop for unique gifts. We see each other from time to time and I stop by just to say hi even when I am not buying. Fritzner and Miguelito are my flower pratiks ,they are always one call away and they make me the most beautiful bouquets for me and my loves ones.

Antoinette is a vegetables machann that I have known since forever; she used to be my father’s favorite “Pratik” and now she is mine. I admire her perseverance and courage. One thing I’ve learned about her is that “Will is power “she likes to say “Depi w vle ou kapab” . She had to start over with her business multiple times because she is a single mother who could not afford to let her family down. Now that her kids are older they turned her vegetables basket into a family business.

I am intentional about buying local because I want my money to recirculate and in my community, the small business owners are less likely to leave to go somewhere else . It brings me joy when I am able to encourage local prosperity. At my local market I get to pick my fresh food and I know where it comes from. I am a sucker for handmade things and crafts, buying from my local artisans help them to stay and guarantee their ability to provide for their families.

Click here to watch Anne-Marjorie’s video for the Valè Series honoring Haitian small business owners.

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To see more of Anne-Marjorie’s work, you can follow along on instagram- @annmarj0rie