DID YOU KNOW? (More about our leather)

Leather has long been synonymous with durability, style, and craftsmanship. Yet, within the world of leather, there exist various types, each possessing unique qualities and characteristics that define its essence. From the supple finesse of goat skin to the robust nature of cowhide, the diverse array of leathers used in bag-making forms the foundation of exceptional creations.

At Haiti Design Co., we procure leather conscientiously, prioritizing sustainability and ethical standards. Embracing natural materials, our bags are crafted from goat and cow leather, distinguished by their individual textures and attributes. Goat skin, thinner and softer, embodies elegance and flexibility, while cowhide, thicker and sturdier, exudes resilience and longevity. Both leathers come in an assortment of colors, allowing for a spectrum of creative expression.

The quest for sustainability drives our practices. We meticulously vet our sources, ensuring that the leather we use adheres to ethical standards. Our commitment extends beyond sourcing; it encompasses the lifespan and durability of our bags. By utilizing natural, vegetable-tanned leather, we not only guarantee sturdiness but also ensure that our products stand the test of time, promising a lifetime of use.

Minimizing waste is ingrained in our craftsmanship. Handcrafted with precision, our bag-making process yields minimal excess material. Emphasizing accurate measurements and employing techniques that focus on thread work rather than excessive hardware, we strive to diminish waste and responsibly handle any leftover materials.

Designing and creating these bags pose both challenges and rewards. Translating an image into a tangible, functional piece demands meticulous planning and execution. Our designs, born from originality and inspired by the world around us, undergo a metamorphosis from concept to creation. While inspiration might spark from various sources, the end result resonates with authenticity and uniqueness, reflecting the touch of our artisans.

Working with our specially curated sustainable leather brings a distinct advantage. Its natural softness and texture lend an air of authenticity, complementing the handmade craftsmanship. This unique quality sets our products apart, infusing them with a genuine, organic aesthetic that cannot be replicated.

In the realm of leather bags, our dedication to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and unparalleled craftsmanship remains the cornerstone. Each creation not only embodies elegance and functionality but also narrates a story of conscious design and timeless appeal. With every stitch, we weave together artistry and sustainability, creating pieces that transcend trends and stand as testaments to enduring craftsmanship.

WRITTEN BY ANSHIKA LOOMBA FOLLOW ANSHIKA'S INSTAGRAM

Why is supporting artisan brands vital for keeping our planet healthy?

Hello all! My name is Tiffany and I’m one of the newest interns here at Haiti Design Co. Something about me is that I’ve always been one to appreciate culture. My mother was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. Visiting Monterrey to see family would always be one of my favorite times of the year. Eating all the amazing foods, being apart of the beautiful culture, and seeing people make such wonderful art. I never understood though how individuals who made such charming art, like jewelry, clothing, and accessories, could go unnoticed in the world. That’s when I began to do my research on artisan brands, and the more I learned the more I was in favor of them. I had always been apart of the battle of protecting the Earth, and I suppose I got it from my father who was vegan for over 25 years. I grew up hearing all the ways we could combat climate change, but supporting artisan brands had never been one of them.

It’s no secret that fast fashion isn’t sustainable. The whole trend of buying new clothes every week just to throw them out within the month is no good for the planet. But not many people know how to avoid it, it’s almost like fast fashion follows us every where we go. I’ve had my own struggles trying to avoid fast fashion as well, it’s something everyone goes through. Our favorite brands typically don’t keep sustainability in mind when creating new clothing lines. About 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions stems from fast fashion. This is a growing issue that people need to start focusing on! The main issue though is that people don’t know where to shop for cute trendy clothes and accessories. That’s the importance of thrifting and buying at artisan brands.

Not only are artisan brands cultural, but they’re sustainable in the way they create their products. Every product is handmade. Can you imagine that? All of the hard work that is put into curating designs for various products. By choosing to support artisan brands, you are leaving less of a carbon footprint. You are being the good the Earth needs in order to maintain itself. Choosing to support small businesses in general leaves positive impacts on business owners and employees, as well as it does leave a positive impact on the Earth’s resources since they don’t mass produce like big companies.

Need a reason to shop at Haiti Design Co? They’re all about keeping integrity within Haiti’s culture. They create designs that reflect the hard work and passion that Haitians have. While doing all of this they also manage to stay trendy with their looks, which again, are all extremely sustainable and hand-crafted from people working in Haiti. Some of my personal favorites from Haiti Design Co is the Aluminum Message Cuff, which is so personal and makes the cutest gift for loved ones, Bone Pendant Necklace, which goes with about any outfit, and the Double Wrap Leather Bracelet, which is so perfect for fall! Definitely take the time to browse through their website because there are so many treasures that many companies can’t replicate.

The Aluminum Message Cuff, which is malleable and is a sand casted aluminum cuff, comes with various Haitian phrases on it. Phrases like "FANM DJANM", meaning strong woman, "VIV AYITI", meaning live strong Haiti, and more. Being able to embrace the nation’s language and culture embodies the connection that artisan brands have the ability to create. Even if you’re not one for learning about culture, there is no denying how cute these cuffs are! I’m more of a silver jewelry kind of girl so these Aluminum Cuffs go perfect with my collection.

Another item that you should add to your collection is the Bone Pendant Necklace. Ethically gathered and hand formed bone pendant backed in wood and strung on Czech glass seed beads. They offer the necklaces in different colors: cream, turquoise, and pale blue. My personal favorite is cream since it can match with about every outfit you wear. That’s what makes Haiti Design’s accessories so ethical, they’re easy to wear everyday, meaning that you don’t have to over-consume tons of jewelry to make an outfit whole. The designs are practical and cute. Being able to wear beautiful, but ethical designs, has to be one of the greatest feelings.

Lastly, one of my other recommendations is the Double Wrap Leather Bracelet. Made up of genuine full-grain leather, this bracelet is to die for! The colors, black, tan, and chestnut, are so fitting for the fall season and will go with just about any fall item you wear. I know that I’ll definitely be wearing one with my cute tan turtleneck and my dark brown dress on top. But not even just for fall, they’re adorable to wear with casual clothes for any type of season as well. That’s the beauty with simple designs, they can be worn whenever the customer pleases. So you will all see me wearing this leather bracelet throughout the year in turtlenecks, shorts, tees, and jeans.

So Overall, shop with artisan brands! They’re handcrafted items that will always satisfy customer’s needs. Trendy, sustainable, and cultural are the best words to describe

what they bring to the table in the fashion world. Be the good the world needs while also looking stylish. Although I talked about my personal favorites, there are still so many more attractive pieces in the Haiti Design Collective. Take the time to appreciate the culture and hard work that goes into crafting these items. Feel free to personally DM me if you have any questions or want more recommendations on what you should buy for your personal collection! As always, have an amazing and colorful day.

Written by Tiffany Thomas. fOLLOW TIFFANY ON Instagram!

An Earth Day Call to Action

Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”.

 As a family and community here in Port Au Prince, we can press on these simple words. Words that project vision and dreams. Looking upon a simple seed and it’s potential, days and years from now. There is no limit as to where tomorrow can take us.

Giving our lives nourishment is a renewing practice. Caring for our bodies, our souls and our world can coincide beautifully in simple practices like gardening. There is something healing that comes in digging in the dirt, something deeply satisfying that comes in growing your own food, and there is something wonderful for our earth that comes when we find such natural ways to meet our needs. If we can reflect practices that embody this growth, we can spread education and investment throughout our family and into the communities of our artisans.

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Photo: Harvest 107

Through generosities of partners, we have been given the opportunity to dig deeper with enrichment programs here at the workshop. We were joined by a corporate responsibility team last fall that came down and not only donated materials, time, and energy, but laid the ground work for the structure of our lunch sustainability vision being brought to life through a rooftop garden. As we set out to continue to find ways to implement simple and sustainable nourishment to our workshop, Haiti Design Co-op’s path struck a gold mine when we found Harvest 107.

Harvest 107, from nursery to garden, embodies a vision of growth through something simple- food. Taking a breath on their garden property opens a feeling of opportunity and renewal beyond what is seen in the dirt.  Renewal that brings forth possibility and growth that we hope to model here at HDC. Through this spirit, our garden will empower our family as they seek to develop practices that take them to their roots. The fruits of their labor are reflected in their mission statement,

“to make safe, nutritious food available to every person on the planet.” and belief that “food is a right, not a privilege” .

Photo: Harvest 107

(To learn more about Harvest 107 please explore their website)

Harvest 107 partners with organizations and community groups to build gardens that connect people to the importance of renewal and nourishment, as well as give every person the opportunity for sufficient food sources.

By building a sustainable rooftop garden alongside Harvest 107 we will be given the ability to-

• Provide added nutrition to our employee lunches

• Train leaders in sustainable gardening practices that can spread in surrounding communities

• Provide educational classes on preventive healthcare through nutrition

• Give our artisans the chance to become  a part of a project that they can watch grow (literally) and expand on individually, as a family, and into communities where their daily lives take place.  

By combining the visions of HDC and Harvest 107, the following plan was developed:

The Harvest Box : Our custom engineered garden boxes include a self-watering irrigation system that requires no electricity. Each Harvest Box is made from re-purposed shipping pallets and designed to use the least amount of materials while achieving the optimal environment for urban gardening. The boxes are not only functional, they are aesthetically pleasing and instantly transform raw spaces into a thing of beauty.”

Our goal is to launch the rooftop garden with-

• 6 harvest boxes=70 plants

• Training Sessions in-

  • care and maintenance

  •  organic pest control

  • composting

  • harvesting food

  • seed banking for planting the next crop.

 

The roots of our rooftop garden, tended by our leather artisan, Adelson. 

 

 

 

 

“The key elements to a successful food sustainability project is great design and thorough education and training.”

- Pfaff Family, Harvest 107

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Here's Where You Come In...

TO BRING THIS GARDEN TO LIFE WE ARE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS TO RALLY BEHIND US AND FUND THESE NUTRITIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL HARVEST BOXES.

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Sponsor a plant- $25

For just $25, individuals can sponsor one of the 70 new and promising plants coming straight from the Harvest 107 greenhouse to our well-loved workshop roof. AND receive a free Leather Bracelet made in-house at HDC. 

Sponsor half a Harvest box- $75

For $75, individuals can sponsor half of a Harvest Box. Each plant will contribute directly to supplementing our artisans’ lunches and provide a training opportunity for our employees. AND you'll receive a free "BE GOOD TO PEOPLE" banner.

Sponsor a Harvest Box- $150

 For just $150, you can get your name, family’s name, organization, or business name on a hand stamped metal placard on the side of the box which you sponsored. You'll also receive a personal thank you video from our staff members. 

We are beyond excited about this new opportunity for our cooperative and, especially, those that will be our first round of gardeners. Haiti Design Co-op is committed to not only providing stability to individuals through employment, but also to life enrichment and community development made possible by your donations. Thank you for your support of this exciting new venture made possible by Harvest 107.

Alongside you, we are planting seeds of change and opportunity.

With love from Ayiti,

-the HDC team

Salut Friends!

 

My name is Katelyn Hollis, I’ll be the chief contributing writer to the Haiti Design Co-op journal.

My role here at Haiti Design Co-op has been evolving since I stepped on board as a volunteer one year ago. My love for this place goes deep, and my heart for Haiti goes deeper. My life in Haiti began in June 2014 through working with an orphanage as house mom and running a baby feeding program. Life progressed here in Haiti and I decided to transition into focusing on keeping families together and sustained through job creation, which landed me at Haiti Design Co-op. Here at HDC, I am head of order fulfillment, shipping, and program coordinator. I work alongside our Community Development committee to put in place programs to create opportunities for our workers in education, business development, and life skills.

I am excited to share with you stories from our little family and bustling workshop in Port au Prince, Haiti, as well bits and pieces from the rich culture that make up this country.

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A little speed round q&A from yours truly-

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1. What's your favorite part of your daily routine at HDC? 

Making the first round of morning greetings to our teams throughout the workshop rooms. You never know what tidbits of information will unfold since the previous workday. It could quite possibly set the tone for the entire day here on the grounds.  

"Ready or not, here we go!"

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2. What's your favorite HDC product from the collection?

Classic leather tote in tan. It's timeless. It's leather. Enough said.

3. If advising a person traveling to Haiti for the first time, what are the things they must see and places they must go?

Jacmel. A town on the southern coast, perfectly preserved from an era of bold colors, bustling cobblestone, Caribbean salsa dance, and hand squeezed rhum sours. Oh, and breathtaking beaches.

4. Favorite street food?

Avocados and coconuts! If I’m feeling adventurous, banan pese topped with pikliz (fried plantains with a Haitian style cole slaw / spicy kimchi, the more burn the better!)

5. Favorite hobby since moving to Haiti?

Yoga, on our workshop jungalow patio. I love the classic practice in a hot yoga setting, sweating and stretching while surrounded by plants. Serenity.

6. Favorite creole word or phrase and why?

“Toutouni” - naked. Packed with so many uses. To be raw, bare, minimum…. One’s natural state. Pronounced just how it looks, try it you won’t be able to say it just once.   

7. What is the weirdest thing for you about going back to America when you visit home?

Watching how fast people move in public places. It gets weird, like they actually have to get things done in a timely fashion. Who woulda thought?! A huge contrast to the streets in Port au Prince.

8. What is the hardest part of coming back to Haiti after visiting America?

Usually I'm coming from colder northern parts of the US, so definitely adjusting back to the hot weather. But then it soaks into my core and makes me smile from the inside out, and sweat.

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Haiti is a place that appeals to every sense at one time, in each moment. This only takes a split second to see. Let’s step out and explore paths, visions, art forms, and everyday products that make up this heartbreaking and breathtaking little island.

 

With love from Ayiti,

Katelyn Hollis

                            Jacmel, Haiti