Have you ever wanted to go into the mind of someone who crafts stunning jewelry? Fabienne Descardes is the designer-craftswoman behind Olé Bijoux. If you’re looking for some pretty pieces to put around your lovely neck, and to wrap around your wrist bone, look no further. Olé Bijoux will provide that, and that’s while saluting the heritage of its founder. The pieces are made with stuff like sisal…and if you think back to that episode of Haiti History 101 we had some time ago, sisal is a very important plant that grows in Haiti. In the 1950s, it was even used to create material for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Back to Olé Bijoux…yeah, the pieces are really exquisite, really pretty. The creative Kreyolicious girl behind Olé was more than happy to discuss the brand and the hard work she has put into building her jewelry line.

Kreyolicious: As a kid, what was your view of fashion?

Bright and bold. Everything made sense in color—hence my hue palette selection today.

Kreyolicious: How did you get drawn to fashion entrepreneurship?

My parents being fashion lovers, and coming from a large family with similar taste, our path were bound to cross.

Kreyolicious: Olé Bijoux…why that name?

Olé—for me—is that tasteful treasure inside a coconut. Olé is also a term of excitement. It stands for a rather strong presence, a statement, and owning the spotlight.

Photo Credit: Richard Lecoin

Kreyolicious: Did some of the jobs you held prior to starting Ole Bijoux help you in your journey as an entrepreneur?

Most definitely! I learned discipline, networking, and the importance of teamwork.

Kreyolicious: If you were to draw from the experiences you’ve had as entrepreneur, what would you tell someone who wants to do something similar?

I will narrow it down to three key words: passion, perseverance, patience. Everything you need is within you. Remain humble, share your wisdom, always remember to give back.

Photo Credit: Richard Lecoin

Kreyolicious: Do you have a favorite piece from your line?

Wow, tough choice… The edible discs, they exude the perfect blend of culinary and unconventional.

Kreyolicious: What goes into running Olé Bijoux?

Long production hours, constant creativity, meetings, inventory, order processing, and the list goes on.

Kreyolicious: Would you say that culture plays a role in your designs?

Absolutely! My West Indian roots reflects in all chosen materials, texture, concept and meaning. I keep the pieces edgy yet unapologetic with a Creole charm.

Photo Credit: Richard Lecoin

Kreyolicious: Entrepreneurship is known to be taxing, emotionally and physically. How do you deal when it gets to be too much?

I honestly take a break. Thanks to my awesome team…Richard Lecoin—proud face of the company and dedicated photographer. Margarette and Co of MCrochet—my aunt & knitting/crochet expert. Jimmy Cliff, my creative director/art/paint guru…Vana—my mother—and rep in Haiti. Family is my main support system. They keep me grounded, especially my precious little lady Leila.

Kreyolicious: What’s the next chapter for Olé Bijoux?

Handbags, headpieces—and a very unique boutique.

[Photos: Richard Lecoin ]

Visit Olé Bijoux on Facebook | Olé Bijoux on Instagram | Olé Bijoux on RawArtists | CLICK HERE TO BUY/SHOP FROM THE OLÉ BIJOUX COLLECTION |

Michael Brun. Musical Prodigy. DJ. Producer. And now…music fest producer? Yes, siree, that is correct. And in accordance to his heritage-pushing agenda, he’s not having it at Miami Beach, Virginia Beach, one of the Great Lakes, or the New York Harbor for that matter, but in, well, Haiti.

Haiti!

At Wahoo Baby Beach to be precise. Ain’t that ain’t Port-au-Prince either. I think. Okay, just double-checked… Wahoo Bay Beach is in a place called Cotes des Arcadins, and that’s miles away from Port-au-Prince.

On the roster are a load of artists based in Haiti including Belo, JPerry, Gardy Girault, DJ Bullet, DJ Tony Mixx, as well as other artists traveling to Haiti for the event: Roy English, DZGot, Roy English, Eden Prince, and Third Party.

There’s even a placeholder on the flyers for the Beachfest. OGun, TPO, Mikaben, or Wanito perhaps? Or an EDM figure, as Michael Brun does stem from the electronic dance music scene?

The beachside fest also has a philanthropic angle. Profits will go towards scholarships for an educational program administered by the Ciné Institute, Haiti’s film school. The concert is being held in partnership with Artists for Justice and Peace. The event’s sponsors include: Rhum Barbancourt, Prestige, Chokarella and Noctem.

Above: Michael Brun in straight DJ mode. Photo Credit: MenBar Photos

Michael Brun has created an entire culture-based campaign with his single “#WhereverIGo”, released earlier this year. The DJ and producer has toured several cities in the USA and around the world, and during each stop, he has made it a point to make grandiose display of the Haitian flag. The purpose of “#Wherever I Go” was to make a point about the nature of cultural identity, and Michael Brun has turned it into one of the most popular cultural memes of the year.

Haven’t been to Haiti? Well, this might be your chance! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS and get your #WhereverIGo groove on on the beach in Haiti.

FOLLOW MICHAEL BRUN’S JOURNEY HERE! | CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS SONG FROM ITUNES| FROM SPOTIFY| FROM GOOGLEPLAY

CLICK HERE TO READ OTHER STRAIGHT OUTTA HAITI ARTICLES!

Sarodj Durocher Bertin is one of this century’s overachievers. She is a beauty queen. She has her own foundation Sarodj for a Purpose. She is a calendar girl, most recently posing for the 2013 edition for what has become an annual treat for her fans, the Sarodj Bertin I Love Haiti calendar. The Port-au-Prince-born philanthropist managed to raise $60,000 from the sales of the last edition. Bertin is planning a vocational school to teach young Haitian trades, in addition to building an orphanage.

And let us not forget the fact that she got tapped by makeup brand the Maite Makeup Company to be one of the ambassadors of their brand. And now, Bertin is making her way in filmdom. She previously starred in director Angelo Rizzo’s movie The Voodoo’s List, but is now aiming for the U.S. film market, making her debut in that market in the Richard Widmack Belot film Everybody Cheats. The film produced by Nirva Balan and Even Flow, also stars Benz Antoine, along with a host of other talented thespians.

Sarodj and co-star Benz Antoine on the set of Everybody Cheats.

Q & A

Why do you think so many people are fascinated by you? And concerned with your every move?
I believe that people support and follow the ones whom they are able to identify with. Therefore, I’m honored to know that there is many lovely people that identify themselves with me and the things I’m doing.

Do you ever find yourself feeling the need to limit what the public knows about you?
Not really. However, I do believe that is always good to have a little bit of privacy, because any person need to know that they have a moment for their own.

At which point did you get approached about this movie?
I spent a couple of months talking to the director and the producers of the movie; they sent me the script and I liked the story! I think that it’s amazing and that everybody will enjoy it as much as we did it during it’s filming.

Photo Credit: Yonacary Wingard

How did you prepare for this role?
By studying my script, and using my imagination as an actress to complete the life story of my role.

Any actors and actresses who you’d like to work with?
I admire many actors, but one actor I would love to work with is Will Smith… And an actress I would love to work with is Catherine Zeta Jones.

Are there actresses who you especially look up to?
I admire many of them, but if I have to mention a couple of my favorites ones, then I have to say Catherine Zeta Jones and Julia Roberts.

What attracts you to a movie project?
What attracts me in first place to any project is the story, then it comes the director and of course actors, because is very important to me to feel comfortable with the people I am going to work with.

What movies have you seen that have made an impression on you?
Well, I learn from every movie I watch. Sometimes I get very excited about the characters and actors’ performances. Movies like Hunger Games, Colombiana, Taken, among others have made an impression on me lately.

What’s the latest with your foundation Sarodj for a Purpose?
I just received the donation of the land from a Haitian businessman name Henry Tevenin. Now we are working on the documents such as property title, etc., and hopefully, we will start building the home for children this year!

Do you think one day you’ll leave the law field and pursue acting full-time?
I think that law is and will always be part of me! Being a lawyer is part of who I am. Nevertheless, I am also passionate about acting. I love it and I want to learn more about it everyday, and definitely I want to work more in it!

You actually were crowned Reina Hispanoamericana in 2012. How was that experience?
It was a great experience, as I always say, “Everything that happens in our life should be used to grow as a person”. I feel honored by my new title and crown, and I will use it wisely to bring positivism to all the people who follow me and believe in me.

You are an attorney, you are also a former pageant queen, and you have a foundation, and now of course the acting bug has bit you. How do you manage to stay balanced, and now tear all your hair out?
I like everything I do, so I enjoy it! That’s the reason why I never feel like tearing my hair! [Laughter]

What’s next for you as far as acting is concerned?
My new movie Everybody Cheats will be coming out in April 2013, so wait for it! I know you will love it.

Check out the trailer for Sarodj’s film below!

Do check out this interview below with Karm Syndia of Tele Diaspora:

Photo Credit: Yonacary Wingard