KANAVAL Collection- an introduction letter from our founder

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

Getting to know Abraham

My name is Abraham Rivage. I was born in Les Cayes, Haiti. I moved to Port-au-Prince in 1999 with my family to go to school.

Through the years, I always made sure I could make some money either through selling goods or else. I had a sense of entrepreneurship from a young age.

I joined the Haiti Design Co. team in 2017. Before this, I worked in mechanics from 2014 to 2017.

Adelson, one of the leather team members referred me so I could also work at Haiti design Co. At first, Madame Fabienne and Madame Chandler were the ones who trained me. I was part of of the “Tèt frèt” team where we did packaging and shipping. I was so happy to be able to learn quickly. I also had a lot of support and help. Now in 2022, I have grown a lot and am now in charge of the packaging and shipping. I manage the quality control of products before they are shipped out as well.

I have a 4 year old son and we are best friends. He is my main motivation in everything I do

His mom lives in Brazil and he lives with his grandma but we see each other often. He is in second year of kindergarten. His name is Schneider Rivage. He is incredibly smart and shows me so much affection. Whenever I go see him in Miragoane, he is always sad to see me leave. I unfortunately cannot take him to Port-au-Prince because it is not safe enough for him.

Besides working at HDC, I love doing business. I sell fresh drinks. I love reading books in English so I can learn the language and also romantic books.

I am looking forward to everything 2022 holds. Growth in my work and more time with my son.

"When I think of Haitian Women..."

What comes to your mind when thinking of Haitian Women?

A CONVERSATION ON BLACK JOY

In 2020, the term Black Joy started being heard all over. As black voices were rising to speak up about the deep injustice and murders against black lives, Black joy was introduced as an act of resistance against a system of oppression and racism. Since then, the term has been echoed louder and louder and we had a chance to sit down with two amazing creatives Tash and Anne Marjorie for an authentic conversation about what Black joy means to them.

From Anne Marjorie:

I just love to see Black people happy. Being able to create the life they want to create, moments of love and happiness. I’m tired of being resilient, but I’m embracing joy as an act of resistance.

To me, I practice joy by holding on to this confidence that no matter what happens God is still in control. We as Haitians, coming from a history of slavery, think we always need to be working.

Black Joy is about unlearning that life is about labor. it is about knowing that we deserve to enjoy life.

I grew up in a community where everybody’s life revolved around work, and I think from a heritage of slavery, they believed that they mattered only when they were doing . Finding freedom from that to embrace balance has changed my life tremendously.

I am deeply encouraged and influenced by the work of black creators on the internet, seeing visual representations of people who look like me , practicing rest , enjoying the simple pleasures of life gives me a boost to do the same .

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Through this transparent conversation, both ladies got to share their stories and perspective. It was an enriching conversation where we got to dig deeper into what Black Joy means for everybody and how we can truly live it in our day to day lives. Tash and Anne-Marjorie are doing such a great job at showcasing this lately through their individual Instagram pages. Anne Marjorie recently reached 10K on Instagram and we believe that more people will have the chance to enjoy her purposeful content that always brings light to our timeline.

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From Tash:

To me, black joy is about allowing ourselves to appear soft, to appear gentle, showing that there is more to us than the stories propagated online. Growing up in America, I’ve never felt like what I had to say about my culture, about the way I was raised as a black girl was ever a topic that people were interested in. It wasn’t until 2020 and Black Lives Matter that friends that had known me for years started asking questions and even caring about what I had to say about all of this. It is very important for me to put out all the things we know to be true, that we’ve held sacred for so long. All the things that we cherish as a community, we hold with each other and deserve to be shared and heard and valued. 2020 showed us that we need to show white people who we are and what is important to us.
Black women never appear soft in society. We are always seen as parenting out of fear, but our homes are filled with nurturing and love and more than what you see. Black people across the diaspora are tired of being strong, are tired of the fight. It’s time to live, to enjoy, to change the narrative, and to reposition ourselves for the future.

I deserve to have good experiences and I don’t have to earn them, or need to be worthy in some way to get them. And it’s so important to me raising our daughters that they know they are worthy and deserve certain things. Modeling a life of freedom is what is important to me, and knowing my kids are always watching to observe that, and that’s how I practice Black joy.

Watch our live replay here!

Don’t forget to follow Tash and Anne Marjorie on Instagram

GETTING TO KNOW ISMAELLA

My name is Ismaella and I am 30 years old. I was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti in 1991. Before I started working for Haiti Design Co. my mom was working there as part of the sewing team. When she spoke to the administration about me, I was able to get hired in 2016. At first, I was a regular employee but then I grew and was integrated in the committee before being promoted manager of the jewelry team called FANM DJANM. This is my position today! I supervise the ladies, I create jewelry samples and keep production going

If I could say more about me, I would say that I am a foodie. I love a lot of dishes! But if I could list just a few things I would say rice and beans, Haitian legim , Eggs and plantain with a fresh salad. My favorite colors are: brown, coral, bordeaux and mahogany.

As a child I always had many ideas and dreams. I wanted to be a veterinary. I wanted to learn many languages. I also loved painting and drawing. After high school I entered law school where I spent 4 years but I do not practice right now. I still have many things I want to accomplish. I am learning English. I do not draw anymore but I use my creative side to make the jewelry which gives me a lot of joy.

My biggest motivation in life is definitely my mom. She gives me strength and motivation for everything that I do. She pushes me to keep going. I always think of our future and this gives me courage to work well. My mom is artistic like me and very good with her hands so we work together. The banderole in the picture above is one we made together for the church. The best lessons I have learned from her are wisdom and humility.

When I am not working, I love being on social media. I love talking to my friends on the phone. We do not physically see each other often but we stay in touch. I consider myself as a peaceful person. I love observing before talking or reacting. I love listening to music: Konpa, Gospel, French songs, English songs…you name it. One of my favorite songs is : “When we were young” By Adele..