Most fashion designers can trace their fashion obsession to their high school years—sewing a prom dress for a friend, organizing a school club fashion expo, or modeling at a mall back-to-school modeling show. For Carline Smothers, the CEO of clothing line Zoe Beautée, there was no fascination with clothing whatsoever during high school. When Smothers was attending the University of South Florida in the mid-2000s, being a fashion designer was still far from her plans. Inspired by her Haiti-born parents’ journey in America, the Florida-born college student wanted to become a teacher.

After graduating from USF with a Communications degree, Smothers launched a career in education. While working in the public school system, she noticed that the same insecurities that she had felt growing up about her culture, were manifesting in the kids she was teaching. During her lunch breaks, she ventured out to clothing stores and malls, but couldn’t find clothing that had a cultural perspective. “There was not one thing I could put on to represent who I am, and what I stand for,” she recalls. Smothers began scribbling notes in a journal and sought the feedback of her sister and a cousin. From there, the concept of Zoe Beautée was no longer a cherished idea, but an actual clothing line.

The Zoe Beautée brand mixes cultural pride with a level of sophistication, while also winking at street style.

Kreyolicious: What are some of the things you learned while in school that have helped you in starting and building your brand?

While attending the University of South Florida, I saw and met a diverse group of people. Different nationalities, religions, cultures, and beliefs. I also met other Haitians from all over and I instantly connected with them. I was able to appreciate everyone that I came in contact with while attending college.

Kreyolicious: What does it mean to be a Zoe Beautée?

Zo meaning “bone” in Haitian Creole signifying strength and life. Today, most Haitians refer to themselves as a Zoe. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes [and] since I would be making t-shirts, it was only right to combine the two words…Beautée. “Expressing Beauty Through Language” is the slogan I use to describe my t-shirt line.

Kreyolicious: It takes a lot of energy to be in the fashion industry, and even more to be a fashion entrepreneur. How do your days start and end?

I’m currently a stay-at-home mom, my days start with getting our three young children up, fed, and ready for school. In between feeding our one-year old daughter and naps, I network and advertise via social media. My life revolves around our children. Any ideas I my have for my business, I jot down throughout my day. I have to stay organized in order to keep things running smoothly. While I’m sleeping, I’m thinking about ways to improve and grow my business. I feel like I never sleep…However, I’m so passionate about what I’m doing it drives me and give me energy every day!

Kreyolicious: What would you say to others out there who want to start a clothing line?

If you’re passionate about it, go for it! Don’t let your inexperience or others discourage you from your goal. I was able to start my business in 2011 with nothing. No loans, no business degree and still learning along the way. There may be a few setbacks, but do not let that stop you. Keep pushing forward!

Kreyolicious: Would you say that networking is important?

Networking is extremely important. I have met some amazing individuals through networking! Anyone successful did not reach that point without networking.

Kreyolicious: What keeps you going when things get tough?

My family. My husband has been extremely supportive and my children mean everything to me. My parents, cousins, in-laws and close friends have been rooting for me to succeed…I also think of all the youth and people who struggles with self-love and being comfortable in their own skin. All of my supporters have been absolutely amazing! I can’t and won’t let myself—and those who believe in me—down!

Kreyolicious: From the feedback you’ve gotten from your customers, which pieces are the most popular?

From my Bèl Moun Collection—Beautiful People Collection—such as Bèl Fanm, which means beautiful woman or lady—has had such a positive response…as well as Zoe Proud (Proud to be Haitian). All of my shirts are made to be uplifting, inspiring, and bring up self-confidence.

Kreyolicious: What can we expect from the Zoe Beautée brand in the future?

I have been working on expanding my brand. I’ve added a children’s collection which is the Bèl Timoun collection—Beautiful Children Collection. “I remember when I was a little girl, I was almost ashamed to say I was Haitian. I don’t want my children and other children to feel the same way. We must embrace who we are and love ourselves. My shirts are for all races and cultures that would like to express beauty through language!

[Photo Credit: Fred Louis Photography and Roe Michel ]

CLICK HERE to visit the Zoe Beautée STORE| Zoe Beautée on Facebook | Zoe Beautée on Instagram |

“We need diverse books,” is the cry of the book community. Well, Haitian-American Ibi Zoboi is meeting that need with her Young Adult novel American Street, released this spring. In the tome, Zoboi writes about Fabiola Toussaint, a teen who leaves Haiti with her mother, but who ultimately has to fend for herself in the United States when her mother is detained by immigration authorities.

Kreyolicious: When did you decide, “Okay, I’m going to write a Young Adult novel!”
Ibi Zoboi: There wasn’t any one moment that I decided that I would write a Young Adult novel. I think I’ve always written YA because my characters were mostly teens. The first novel I wrote featured seventeen year-olds, and I never thought it was Young Adult fiction. I’ve written other novels featuring twelve year-olds as well. Also, Young Adult novels can cover a broad range of topics and issues, and it’s for any reader. The only thing that makes it YA is that the story is told from a teen’s perspective. Teenhood is such an important time where you’re just discovering the world and your place in it, and you make stupid mistakes. That’s why the genre is so popular right now. Young adulthood was when we asked questions and everything was brand new.

Kreyolicious: You call your novel American Street, and the last name of the heroine Fabiola is Toussaint. These aren’t simple coincidences?
Ibi Zoboi: Of course, not. Everything is symbolic in my stories. American Street is an actual street in Detroit. The story takes place on the corner of American Street and Joy Road, an actual intersection on the west side of Detroit. This is, in fact, an American story. And I’ve always known that Toussaint means “all saints” and it’s the first name of our Haitian revolutionary hero, Toussaint L’ouverture. The novel features some saints or lwas [voodoo gods], and my character has to write a paper on Toussaint. These are just symbolic seeds that I plant here and there so that culture and history continue to live on through story.

Kreyolicious: Is there a part of Ibi that’s in Fabiola, or is there some Fabiola in Ibi?
Ibi Zoboi: Yes, Ibi can be just as naive as Fabiola. Sometimes I see the world wide-eyed and with lots of wonder and awe. And I will also fight for a loved one as Fabiola does. At times, I don’t always know the rules of the game. Or maybe, I choose to ignore them. But like Fabiola, I care deeply about family and culture, and I’ve very observant and thoughtful.

Kreyolicious: Even the most confident writer has their moments. Were there challenging times for you as to put your plot together and were working towards the finished product?
Ibi Zoboi: I was very worried about how I presented my characters. I’m writing about Haitians and Haitian-Americans in ways I haven’t seen before. I was careful about perpetuating stereotypes. But I know for a fact that we all have experienced immigration and assimilation in different ways. I tried to remedy that by literally giving each of my characters a voice. I had step into their shoes for a moment in order to humanize them. I have a responsibility as a writer to provide context for the violence and trauma so that my characters are not one-dimensional.

This concludes Part I of the interview with Ibi Zoboi. Be on the look out for PART II of the interview.

CLICK HERE to visit Ibi Zoboi’s website! CLICK HERE to purchase her book from Amazon.