Haitian Heritage month feature: Catherine Flon

There are two different versions of the incidents leading to the creation of the Haitian flag. It really doesn't matter which version is more truth than folktale because in the end, the General Jean Jacques Dessalines ripped the white out of the red white and blue French flag (like the BOSS that he was) and handed the remaining red and blue bands to this awesome lady by the name of Catherine Flon.

 She was Dessalines's goddaughter and a nurse who gave her service to the rebellion and ultimately ended up sewing the Haitian flag. She is a reminder that all talents and willingness can be used for a good cause. Having her sew the first Haitian flag helped give the Haitians their identity in battle and showed their seriousness about fighting for their independence.

Here she is on the 10 gourdes Haitian banknote!

P.S. May is Haitian Heritage Month in the diaspora because there are a lot of celebrations during this month.  Haitian Flag on May 18 is the most celebrated with parades and all kinds of fun a l'Haitienne style. Stay tuned for the next posts and happy Haitian Heritage Month!

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Happy Haitian Flag Day!

It's May 18th, yeah!!!
 As an Haitian, I'm pretty excited whenever this day comes around, because it is Haitian Flag Day. Our flag is now 209 years old. It was created in 1803, adopted in 1820 and formalized in 1843.

That beautiful bi-color flag: blue and red that you are seeing was once the same color as France's: blue, white and red. The fact  that the Haitian nation was  carrying a French flag was presented by the press at the time as an independent nation. The great chiefs of the Haitian army, Alexandre Petion and Jean Jacques Dessalines ,were not happy about that. So, they decided to confront the French army which unfortunately lost the fight. Now, Dessalines ripped the white stripe of the previous flag and joined the blue and the the red together. This is how our beautiful flag was made. I am very proud of that and i think all Haitians feel the same. Happy Flag Day!!!

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Featured: Marvin Bien Aime

So far, I've only featured female Haitian models on here but I recently looked up some nice male models and I thought I would share...
I think Marvin Bien Aime is one of my favorite male models right now. He's young, sexy and an activist. He has a nonprofit called Smile4Haiti that seeks to help children stay in school in Haiti. A good start in my book!
Well then, here is Marvin

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Yohann Dore: Haitian Rock Star

I can't say that I'm a rock music fan but when I heard  the song "Let Go" by Yohann, I definitely ended up liking it . Yohann is Haiti's resident Rock Star. He's a unexpected discovery for me.
So who is Yohann?

Name: Yohann Dore
 Born:  Petion Ville Haiti February 12 1989
Story: Surrounded by music from an early age because of his father (Joe Dore)'s influence
Has been seriously making music since the age of 16
His preferred genre of music has always been Rock, hence why he has chosen to make "Rock Kreyol" music

There's something to be said about marching to the sound of your own music, which he definitely does. Added to the fact that he's fairly young and creative makes him cool in a "A l'Haitienne" way to me.
His album "Ayiti Men Rock"  is coming out at the end of this month. Support if you like it. It's definitely different. I'm looking forward to seeing where this movement goes!

Here's "Let Go" from 2009

Nou Fini from the 2012 

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Must Admire: Stella Jean

 Italian Haitian designer: Stella Jean's new collection is African wax print inspired with splashes of modern silhouettes and Caribbean influences.

If Stella Jean's Spring 2012 collection doesn't scream my name, I don't know what will.

I need this skirt in my life.

I'm really impressed with this collection. I love it all.
Check out some more at http://www.stellajean.it/english/index_eng.htm

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Haiti Touristic Dreams 4: Ile a vache

There are not too many places that I actually dream about visiting and feeling at home like Ile a Vache and Port Salut Haiti. Today I'm going to highlight Ile a Vache.

 I feel so strongly that I need to be at Ile A Vache that I am seriously thinking about honeymooning there in the veryyyyyy far future lol

Port Morgan. See the heart?

Quick Facts: Ile A Vache in the south of Haiti close to Les Cayes

Got the name because large amounts of cattle used to roam the island

Has a history of pirates especially of Sir Henry Morgan the British privateer whose ship sank near the island

One of my favorite pictures :)

part 1http://www.alhaitienne.com/2011/09/chak-moun-fet-nan-yon-peyi-mwen-menm.html
part 2http://www.alhaitienne.com/2011/10/grottes-caves-in-haiti.html
part 3http://www.alhaitienne.com/2011/12/touristic-dreams-3.html

pictures from http://www.ile-a-vache.com/ and Haitian Gastronomie facebook

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Prajje Jean Baptiste

Meet Prajje:
Awesome fashion designer of Haitian descent . Founder and owner of emerging fashion powerhouse Prajje 1983



He's recently shown his latest collection at Arise Magazine Fashion week
I absolutely adore the whole collection. Especially a certain little yellow dress that I would love to own (sigh)
Quick Stats: Born in Haiti. Graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a Fashion Design degree in 2009
Website: www.prajje1983.com
 
Check out some of his collection

Pics from Arise- Day 3

Pics from Facebook- Spring/Summer 2012

As an Haitian girl who loves fashion and stylish people, I am very proud of Prajje and his bright future. I can't wait to see more of his creativity as he evolves and maybe one day wear one his designs :)
I also look forward to seeing more designers of Haitian descent follow in his footsteps. Antouka, kenbe la Prajje!

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