“Haiti Fashion Week has been a significant success over the last three years,” said internationally acclaimed designers Maguy Durce, President of HFW. “It has become a platform not only to share the tremendous talent that exists here locally with the world, but also a forum for collaboration and partnership, as we saw this year with Mexico.”

Women’s and men’s wear featured dramatic crafts by local artisans. Young designers and make up artists rocked the runway with sexy collections and challenged the use of body art. The marketplace drew large crowds looking to take home inspirations from the runway.

“The core goal for Haiti Fashion Week is to interface with byers, merchandisers, and retailers,” said renowned designer Maelle Figaro David, Vice President of HFW. “Haitian designers create beautiful fashions and accessories that are ripe for the global market place.”

The opening gala kicked off with music performances by Mexican singers and a mariachi band. At each of the three nights that followed, attendees were dazzled by unique, innovative, and out of the box signature pieces.

(Photo: Ricardo Saint-Cyr)

Designers were: Jean Yves Marchand - Marly Clervin - Gaëlle Nerette - Mélissa Etienne - Ruth Dupoux  - Lauriane Pernock  - Miko Guillaume - Ludvigne Victor Tardieu - Kathelen Douyon - Robert Young - Malou Cadet - Daphnée Floréal - Martine Valcin - Percida Louison - Queen Esther Joseph - David André - Nora David  - Arcadio Diaz   - Musset Payant  - Michaëlle Baussan Stines   - Les écoles de mode Vêtements - United colors of fashion - Phelicia Dell - Charles Dieujuste - Gerry Romain - Myrielle Pierre  - Sonia Noël - Watson St Louis   - Miko Guillaume  - Ruthshell Guillaume - Michel Chataigne - Sibyl Denis Touat   - Maguy Durcé.   

“Each year, I am amazed by the vibrant and bold use of color, fabric, and nontraditional materials,” said seasoned fashion stylist Michel Châtaigne, Artistic Director of HFW. “This year’s show rivaled ones that take place in NYC, Milan, and London and next year we plan to raise the bar even further.”

Preparation for fall 2015 is already underway. This year’s three-day event was an initiative of the Haitian Centre for Business Support and Promotion and the Haitian (CHAPE), with its partner, the Haitian Network of Designers (HAND).

The event is being sponsored by the European Union through the Programme Européen de Soutien aux Initiatives Culturelles (PESIC), along with key partners, Centre Haitien d’Appui et de Promotion d’Entreprises (CHAPE), the governments of Haiti and Mexico, Banque Nationale de Crédit, Banque de la République d'Haïti, Digicel, Milani, Deka Group, Acra, Lucky Plaza, Dekav, Barbancourt, United Colors of Fashion Inc., and The Raben Group.

All photos seen here are by the event's official photographer, Ricardo Saint-Cyr. 

 

(Photos: Ricardo Saint-Cyr)

Designers and their muse (Photos: Ricardo Saint-Cyr)

(Photos: Ricardo Saint-Cyr)