Monthly Archives: September 2013

Stella Jean – Milan Fashion Week

Vogue UK Call her design “Bold Ideas, Brilliantly Conveyed.   STELLA JEAN has led something of a charmed fashion life recently – with Giorgio Armani as a benefactor (apparently prompted by Suzy Menkes, he invited her to show her first collection on the official Milan schedule in his own show space, the Armani Teatro). She won Vogue Italia’s Who’s On Next talent contest in 2011 and her dresses sold out of Matches almost as soon as they landed for the last two seasons.   “I hope this experience brings her luck,” said Armani and, considering the buzz around the show in the days leading up to it, it has. More on http://www.vogue.co.uk    

Milan Fashion Week Haitian-Italian Designer Stella Jean

Haitian-Italian Designer Stella Jean to present her ethical Spring/Summer 2014 collection at the Teatro Armani, His Bergognone show space.   During Milan Fashion Week, Stella Jean — a resident of Rome — is set to show at the 550-seat Teatro Armani, the first women’s wear designer so honored, other than the emperor himself.   The show is scheduled to start at 10.30am start on Saturday, September 21, 2013, which, while sandwiched nicely in the calendar between Emporio Armani on Friday and Giorgio Armani on Monday, pits it against a considerable challenger. Saturday morning during Milan Fashion Week, you see, the sacred time for “shoe appointments,” a euphemism for shopping. Yet the buzz around “the new Stella” is such that the front-row seat are confirming attendance in Bergognone rather than Monte Napoleone.   Alta Roma’s elegant talent scout Simonetta Gianfelici helped to turn things around for Stella Jean, advising her to “be more sincere; do something that belongs only to you.” Stella Jean (her surname, though she doesn’t use it professionally, is Novarino) is half-Italian and half-Haitian. “I had struggled to find my identity,” she says. “I found it through my work. I put my two worlds together and found the … read more

Haitian NFL Star Pierre Garçon is on the Rise to Success

Wednesday September 12, 2013, 12:57 AM Landover, Maryland- The Redskins’ season opener game has finally arrived. No one could not be more excited than wide receiver, Pierre Garçon. Garçon battled with a foot injury that hampered him for the bulk of last season. Fully healed for the season opener, Garçon is happy to be healthy for his first season opener.     Along the sidelines on Monday night’s game was the Ambassador of Haiti, Paul G. Altidor and several Haitian representatives from the local community. As Altidor stood on the sidelines watching Garçon play, he was ecstatic to see how great of a player he was. Garçon was happy to receive the support from the Haitian community, especially from Ambassador Altidor. “It was a fun and great experience to have Ambassador Altidor support me at my first game” stated Garçon.   Garçon is one of a few Haitian-American athletes to play on a professional level. When the Haitian community sees one of their own doing great things in and out of the field, it is important for them to support one another. Garçon’s accomplishments on the field have demonstrated himself to be a positive spotlight to the Haitian people.   … read more

Wearable Art Made Deep From the Soul

There are times when you come across a piece of artwork that reaches out and touches your soul in a way that makes you feel, “wow, I wish I could carry that with me all the time”. That is the beauty of Wearable Art. In our many travels to Haiti, we came across an artist whose work does exactly that. Sandra Russo’s collection of silk painted scarves, Sandilou, has the ability to put the wearer in a forever state of utopia.   We tracked down the traveling artist in her studio in Grenada. Between one of her meditation sessions, Sandra shared with us how she started painting fabric and the inspiration behind Sandilou scarves.   “My mother is an artist, so I grew up around colors, art books, and artist friends.” Is how she opens the conversation. Sandra Russo’s history with art stems over a twenty-five year period. Her husband and his partner were the owners of the company Fred Barnard in Haiti. Specializing in garments made of Haitian cotton. It was a trendy brand back during that time; unfortunately the embargo killed the business’ future. Russo worked in the creative department adding life to plain colored fabrics by experimenting with … read more

International Night makes history at Irie Jamboree music festival

  Despite a few glitches and semi-empty house, “International Night” at the Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival did not disappoint. The three-day festival featured several ‘”big-name” acts in Reggae, Dancehall, Calypso and Soca. However, what set last Friday’s “International Night” apart from the rest was its history making status. For the first time since its launch in 2003, the traditionally reggae / dancehall festival featured acts from the French Caribbean islands. Roger “Shoubou” Eugene of Tabou Combo credit: Vania Andre   On August 30, the Irie Jamboree brought legendary bands, Tabou Combo and Kassav, to Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center. Award-winning and multi-platinum musician and producer Wyclef Jean headlined the show, while cultural comedian Vlad “Haitian V” Calixte hosted. Djakout #1 also performed.   Jocelyne Béroard of Kassav, credit: Vania Andre   Music is a universal language and we’re thrilled to showcase a fusion of iconic artists from the French Caribbean on the opening night of this year’s historic Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival weekend at the Barclays Center,” said Blandine Jean-Paul, principal and executive marketing director of White-Mark Entertainment.   DJ Stakz Hi-Profyle, one of New York’s most popular Haitian-American DJs, hit the stage, livening up the crowd with … read more