Are you byen abiye? Are you a dandy type, the type who will not step outside your door, without giving yourself a multi-angle full-length mirror look over? Are you the renaissance woman type, who not only excels in being cultured, but being sophisticated and chic too? Dayanne Danier’s line Bien Abyé—spelled her way—is the way to go for you. The collection is made up of well-tailored silhouettes with a definite feminine look, with plenty of attention to fabric detail—of that Danier makes certain. Her hip, uniquely-made fashions have had participants at fashion shows crane their necks for a second look, and has socialites clamoring to get a piece from the latest creations in her latest collection, which she’s termed Amazon Come Alive. The collection thrives on bright colors, reminiscent of the liveliness of the jungles of the Amazon, but no savagery here. It’s all about the sophisticated, ready-to-wear look.

Born in Massachusetts to Haitian parents, Danier figured the fashion world would be her calling in life early on. Although her family was one the first Haitian families to settle in the predominantly white suburban area of the state at that time, she emphasizes that they were very, very Haiti-centric in their ways. For better or for worse, but mostly for better, little Dayanne grew up with a strong sense of personal responsibility that was bequeathed to her by her parents. She has a strong work ethic, thank you very much, even by designer working life standards. Her day starts easily enough, with the email checking, followed by an energy-boosting workout at the gym, but then the grueling part starts: staying abreast of the year’s fashion calendar, masterminding her newest collection, working with sample room on client orders, and dealing with the demands of a new season. More than being the designer extraordinaire is her interest in her fellow Haitian (a good 10% of her time goes into working with organizations that operates in Haiti). She is in the middle of a project that she’s been planning for Haiti for some time now. It’s taking a lot of time away from her line, but she’s confident that it will bring her as much satisfaction as dressing the sophisticated women of the world.

Q & A

How did you come up with concept and the name for the brand?
The concept for Bien Abyé really came from a void I noticed in the market. Women today are more active than before. We play major roles at home, at work, and in our community. Over the past few years, we have become such a casual and contemporary society; it became harder to find clothing that fits this new active lifestyle. Either brands are too casual for a woman to wear to work or too boring to wear out to an event with friends. There is a need for something in-between that takes women everywhere; from work to a night out on the town. She wants to be well-dressed at all times, and that is what Bien Abyé is, well-dressed! The name, I have to say comes with an interesting story. Like most designers, I wanted to use my name. When I went to trademark Dayanne Danier, my lawyer said it was not available. I almost laughed and thought he was kidding. Well, he wasn’t. And over drinks with a friend—Rum Barbancourt—to get over my sorrow, he asked why I became a fashion designer. When I told him it starts with my dad always saying: “Make sure you are Bien Abyé when you leave the house”, it just came to me that was going to be the name. Bien Abyé was born.

Did you feel that having a Creole name for it would become an obstacle, in terms of pronunciation—though the fashion world does thrive in exotic pronunciations?
I have had that question asked of me before, especially since it is not really 100% Creole but more “French”—Bien—-Creole—Abyé—and that is Dayanne’s version of Creole. [Laughter] But the beauty of being an artist is making up your own rules. And when I think of how I grew up, Bien Abyé was such an important concept in my life. The world will just have to learn this exotic pronunciation like the rest of the fashion brands out there. Also, growing up with the name Dayanne, I am used to bad American pronunciations.

Are you the one who selects the models when you’re having a fashion function, or for your print ads?
That all depends on the situation. I try to express my preference as much [and have as much] say as possible without being a diva and whatever I can’t influence, I go with it and make it work. There have been times when I am presenting my collection with a group of designers, so I can’t be too picky on model selection. When it is a fashion show I am planning, then yes, I pick the models. I try to be as diverse with my model selection as possible. Bien Abyé is not just for one demographic and I believe it is important to represent that on the runway or through presentations. When it comes to print for look books, I have a lot more say because I am the one setting it all up.

You attended Massachusetts College of Art, and earned a BA in fine arts with a concentration in Fashion Design. If you had to do it all over again, would you still do that? Or would you get a degree in something else…say business, and minor in fashion?
If I had to do it again, it would always be fashion! I was an artist at a young age. I was always the class artist since grammar school. By the time I got to high school, I still loved art. School was never a challenge, matter of fact I was the president of the National Honor Society. At the same time, I always found myself running to calculus class with pastel chalk all over my hands from art class. But I can’t lie, to satisfy my Haitian parents, I did apply to college for computer engineering. But dealing with fabric and paint was more fun. It was important to me to do something that had no formulas, something that was pure imagination. And so fashion was it. I do love pattern drafting so that must come from the side of my brain that loved calculus.

By the age of 9, you already knew you wanted to become a designer?
Yes. I don’t know why, but I loved drawing clothes. My mom loved to sew, like every Haitian woman. There were always about 3 or 4 sewing machines in the house. But it wasn’t sewing that intrigued me; it was truly the designing part. Coming up with things from my own imagination. I always had a vivid imagination. But that is a whole other story.

When you were in high school, were you the type of girl who stood out among everyone else?
I wouldn’t say I stood out like someone who wore weird clothes. I was just active. I was the class artist, I was president of my senior class, and surprisingly I was on the basketball team. In high school I probably stood out because of my laugh. I love to laugh.

You didn’t sew anyone’s prom or cotillion dresses, did you?
[Laughter] Actually, I designed both my junior and senior prom dress. And once again, I designed it, not sew it. I always wanted something different. Not different crazy, just different…something no one had!

Before starting Bien Abyé, you worked for such fashion houses as Perry Ellis International and Philip Van Heusen. When you work for big mainstream brands like that, how did you keep your own independent vision as a designer in place?
I always say every experience in life is a learning stage and working for two big apparel giants was exactly that. I learned so much from each. They both opened my eyes to major elements of the apparel industry. A designer will always have their own vision, but one must keep in mind who their client is and those companies taught me that a lot. With both companies, I was a men’s wear designer. So of course, I was not designing for myself, but I never lost my vision. If anything, it helped me to discover how to morph my vision for whoever the client was.

What did you learn while working for those two brands that have helped you with Bien Abyé?
They both came with their own lessons. With Perry Ellis, I worked under the Latin brands Cubavera—which was great because Latin men know fashion—so designing for that demographic was exciting. Fabric development was a very important aspect of each design, so I got to really enjoy developing new fabrics. Philip van Heusen was a fabulous experience as well because they really put an emphasis on branding and always trying to stay brand focus. In this economy, with so many people just wanting to sell anything, understanding the concept of branding is very important to a designer and I am very grateful for having that experience.

Were your parents supportive of your career choice? Or did they buy you a stethoscope as a hint?
[Laughter] Wait [More laughter] Were my parents supportive? What Haitian parents are supportive when their child says, “I want to be a fashion designer”? What I had to go through to get my father to accept that his engineering dreams were not coming from me. I remember the day I told him what type of college I was applying to, he was not happy. I know he was worried when I graduated at first. But after [seeing me work for] two big American companies and me sending him clothes that I designed…he got used to it. It was having a Bien Abyé fashion show during New York Fashion Week—where everyone was there for me—which made him realize he doesn’t have to worry.

Some girls, some women will step out of the house any sort of way, convincing themselves that the way they’re groomed has no bearing on anything whatsoever. What’s your viewpoint on this? And what’s your advice to them?
I completely disagree. I feel your clothing is the first impression you make to someone before opening your mouth. If we all started off by walking into a room screaming and shouting statements, that would be one thing. And it would be a crazy society, but when one walks into a room, one is sized up immediately. If you want people to have positive things to say about you, then dress appropriately. Whenever I see someone in the streets who is dressed in an odd way, I say that they must have no mirrors in the house or maybe just face mirrors. My advice to people is: It’s all about setting the right tone, painting the right picture, and always being Bien Abyé!

You’re launching a new not-for-profit called Fleur de Vie
Yes, this year I started an organization call Fleur De Vie. It stems from over the past few years. I have traveled back to Haiti to plan a give back program with the community in a grassroots way. First year is an after school art program with children in school. Last year, it was pattern drafting with adult teachers. It is a way to ensure donations truly get to the end user and don’t get lost in “administrative costs”. Although, fundraising for Haiti is good, at the same time, as a Haitian living in the U.S, I feel it is important to connect direct with Haiti on the ground and help wherever possible. I also get frustrated when I hear about all the money that was donated to Haiti, but I don’t see where it went. But sitting on the side lines commenting about it is not going to help. Fleur De Vie’s focus is not just to raise funds and awareness. It’s to develop programs on the ground that reach out to the community. This year’s project is about “Back To School” and children. I strongly believe in education and mentoring at a young age. Children are the future of Haiti. How can we expect the future of Haiti to change if we don’t start to nurture the minds and dreams of children?

You’ve also collaborated with Haiti Outreach Ministries and had seminars in Haiti to teach pattern drafting and construction techniques to sewing teachers there. Is that a prelude to something bigger?
I strongly believe in helping Haiti the right way. To me, education and training is the solution to a lot of Haiti’s problems. My time with Haiti Outreach Ministry was amazing. I thought teaching adults was going to be a challenge, especially since my Creole at the time was very weak, and that is putting it nicely. But in the end, when the teachers asked me to come back, I realized I made a carbon footprint. Being able to teach people something that can help better their life is amazing. It was a wonderful experience, because I learned a lot as well. Is it a prelude to something…hmmmmm? If I am brought to Haiti someday to have a school for design or shall we say Maison de Couture, then I would teach them the same way I was taught. It would have to cover the concept of color, the fine craft of tailoring and construction, the beauty of draping, the knowledge of textiles and production. It would definitely not be a three-month sewing class or a two-year degree. I don’t know if the patience for such a school exists right now. Engineering in Haiti is a five-year degree. I would love for them to look at apparel and textile the same way. And then, I would look into it.

As a clothing designer, you have often created designs based on shoes?
My other loves in fashion are accessories and shoes. They can be so much fun. There have been times that I have seen a shoe and the way it wraps the foot and it has inspired me for a new style and how to wrap the body. My inspirations come from all over the place because tailoring to me is another way of saying structure. So the structure of an object, in this example a shoe, can evoke other images in my head. I know it sounds strange, but…it works for me.

Do you have any counsel for the ladies out there who want to renovate their wardrobe?
My biggest advice for women who want to renovate their wardrobe is to make their wardrobe an investment. Buy amazing staple pieces that can last forever, styles that you don’t have to change that often. That is where you spend the money so the styles are durable and have some longevity. And spice it up with trendy pop pieces like prints and accessories and that is where you can spend the least amount. A person—women and men—should not have a wardrobe that is made of all fun trendy pieces. Those go out of style and will get boring. Which will cause one to shop more and spend more money in the long run. Buy core pieces that work and shop every season for the new trend pieces that one does not mind throwing away after a few washes.

You’ve visited Haiti several times. What has been your impression about fashion there? Did anything in particular strike you about trends and style there?
Fashion in Haiti tells me about one’s connection to the outside of Haiti. There are so many people traveling in and out of Haiti, nothing in particular stood out because brands you find in the U.S, you can find in Haiti. It might not be as accessible as it is here, but someone is either buying it while they are on vacation or will bring it to someone in Haiti. I wish as a country, they would support “Haitian made” more. There are a lots of talented designers in Haiti and the population should support them. I also notice the lack of shopping destinations in Haiti. People buy clothes hanging in the street. Everyone talking about investing in Haiti always refer to tourism, hotel, and factories. Why not invest in a shopping center that the majority of the population could afford the product? That way less imports of foreign brands and more support for domestic brands. There is a population of 8 million people. Can you imagine the underwear company that makes products for 8 million people? Some trends that I notice in my travels that did stand out quite a bit are the love for the color yellow and the fact that most women in the streets wear skirts. I noticed that ever since last year. This is very interesting considering I feel like the next big color in fashion will be yellow. But I could be crazy. And regards to the skirts, I don’t know what to say, I guess it is a cultural thing.

Naturally, we have to ask this question: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
My inspiration comes from all over the place usually comes in layers. I have inspirations for individual designs and also inspirations for a collection as a whole. Overall, it really depends on what I am in the mood for at the time. For example, when it comes to the overall collections, Spring 2012 was the Amazon Rainforest, Fall 2013 is Picasso’s Blue Period, Spring 2013 is Aphrodite, the goddess of love. I just pick them out of my head in a way. When it comes to individual designs, I am really inspired by architecture and flowers, things with structure—since I have a fondness for tailoring.

Besides the Bien Abyé line, where does Dayanne Danier do her shopping?
Um, this is hard because I have not been doing much shopping considering my knowledge of the industry. My closest is really made of mostly Bien Abyé. I will have to say I have a love for Calvin Klein, but that comes with the years of work at PVH since they own Calvin Klein. I do find that having the perfect fit denim jeans is important and right now my brand of choice is Siwy Jeans.

A lot of people are their own persons when it comes to fashion, whereas others are often afraid to take risks.
This goes back to my comment about how your clothes speak for you before you open your mouth. Those who often are their own person, like a Lady Gaga, their fashion speak to their personality. Whereas those who are afraid to take risks with fashion, are often afraid to take risks in life…Either way, there is a place for all types of people and a client for all types of fashion.

Trends come and go. What do you feel will never go out of style?
Wow! There are so many things that will never go out of style: denim jeans, little black dress, white buttoned-down shirt. And the list can go on.

How has Haitian culture influenced your designs?
Haitian culture has influenced my designs in many aspects. What is Bien Abyé? You say that to any other culture and they take time to come up with a vision in their head. You say Bien Abyé to Haitians and we just know what the word really means. So that in itself is a strong, strong influence. It’s interesting in the states. The image portrayed about Haitian culture is so wrong. I often hear non-Haitians [being] amazed at the fact that after the earthquake, people living in tents, can still get up and go to work or go to church and their clothes are nicely pressed and still look well dressed. Or at 8 A.M., when you are driving throughout Haiti, all the children are in uniform. To them, it is amazing; to them it is astonishing. To me, it’s Haitian culture. I learned the concept of Bien Abyé from my Haitian parents which raised their kids in the only culture they knew, the Haitian culture. So when people ask me has the Haitian culture influenced my designs, the only answer is of course [yes] because I am Haitian.

Growing up, who was the most fashionable person that you knew?
I would have to say my dad. My dad looks great all the time. Image was so big to him. Bien Abyé, Bien Abyé! Growing up, he would have all his suits tailor-made. He would go to parent-teacher meetings in a three-piece suit. My dad bought his first pair of jeans after he turned 50. Looking appropriate was always a priority for him and it is a fashion he passed on to his children.

You often speak at fashion design schools. What advice do you have for up-and-coming designers?
My advice to up-and-coming designers is to be as individually creative as possible while knowing the market. I am very big into branding. Too often young designers make one beautiful piece after another with no connection to each other and when you ask them is the client for each piece the same person, they say “yes” immediately, but in reality, they’re not. That’s the lack of knowledge of branding and knowing one’s client. And my other advice would be to have patience! This industry is a jungle and if a young designer thinks they are going to strike it big immediately, they could get burned quickly.

The road to success as a designer is not always filled with pretty fabrics and gorgeous lace. What difficulties and obstacles have you had to overcome?
As a designer, there are many challenges and obstacles. Marketing, I would have to say, is a major one. Large brands have big budgets to put towards marketing and so do the celebrity brands out there. Small designers like me face major challenges trying to compete with a brand that has lot of dollars to spend on marketing. And marketing is everything. Without it, you don’t have a business. I would also say the quantity issue in combination with overseas production. Brands that are well-known are getting order requests that make it easy for them to produce in places overseas, whereas a small brand like myself will most likely produce in the U.S.—which I like because I strongly believe in “Made in the USA”. At the same time, labor costs in the U.S are a lot higher. I someday want to move production to Haiti, but still waiting for quality standards to meet high-end demand.

As a kid, did you wish that your Dayanne was spelled “Diane?”
Are you in my head you and you didn’t tell me! Yes, as a kid, I always questioned why my parents spelled my name such an un-ordinary way. But then I found out the history behind the spelling and as an adult, I loved the spelling of my name.

Do you have any regrets about your life?
I try not to regret any aspect of my life. I will say the death of my mother at a young age often makes me wonder how my life would be different if she were here. But losing her as a child made me the woman I am today. And I accept that. There are a lot of experiences and decisions we make in life that we wish we could change, but that is life and we just have to live.

What’s the best thing about being Haitian?
The best thing about being Haitian is the sense of resilience. Haitians never give up. I don’t know if I could be in the industry if I were not Haitian-American. I was focused at 9 and I am focused now. I said I wanted my own business and…voila!

What’s next for the brand?
What is next for Bien Abyé? To be a national brand in the US and develop a worldwide presence. I would love to have Bien Abyé free standing stores. Although the internet is taking over consumer spending, I want to bring back the concept of amazing client service. If a woman is spending money on fashion, she should have someone advising her the right way on how to spend her money. A wardrobe should be an investment, not this disposable product we have all over the place. The only way people will start to dress better is if they buy better clothes and people often need guidance on how to buy and wear quality clothes.

Whitney Lubin is a graduate of Florida State University, and is definitely a hair expert. She and her stylist sister share duties running a hair business. At one point, Lubin was actually active as a stylist, but with time, she rounded her role down to business manager. The one-time International Affairs major prides herself on her business and mane sense.

Unlike other hair specialists, Lubin not only emphasizes the appearance of the hair, but also the well-being of the inner self. It’s not for nothing that she has a verse from the Song of Solomon 4:7 highlighted on her website. It reads: “You are altogether beautiful, my darling. And there is no blemish in you.” She understands that looking good on the outside has a direct relation with how one perceives oneself.

She recalls getting her first hair relaxer when she was nine or ten years old. “It was my dad who wanted me to get the relaxer and not my mother,” she recalls. “At the time I just saw it as a annoying grownup thing to do. Getting my hair braided was something I took to be something that all black women did. It was a bonding experience and I loved every hairstyle.”

Today, those who log on Lubin’s website DhatLook, look through her large inventory of hair pieces to enhance their hair grooming experience. But they also come for the hair care instruction videos and self-love messages that she posts. She discussed DhatLook, entrepreneurship, natural hair and its correlation with overall self-image.

What made you start DhatLook?
When I first started DhatLook, it really was just a place I wanted to be able to share all the interesting and inspiring online content I found, and share my own original content relating to my beauty and hair discoveries. In particular I wanted to showcase black beauty. I wanted to create a place where a younger version of me could visit and see black beauty be exalted. Growing up in Pembroke Pines, FL there was a very pervasive social regard to beauty as being to being about skin complexion. I can remember getting defensive whenever I encountered someone who said “You look Haitian,” or “You dress Haitian”. I started to associate these comments with my dark skin complexion because my siblings didn’t receive the same remarks. In the Haitian community I was aware of the ideal to achieve this lighter brighter complexion with the use of creams that included ingredients like mercury and hydroquinone. Substances that have been proven to have adverse affects on our health and skin after prolong use. I watched as my generation grew up in a culture that promoted this whole yellow bone, red-bone ideal. I was hearing this preference in our music, seeing it in our movies, and although the young idealistic me rebelled against this social construct, I didn’t think I could do anything about it. So the first opportunity I had to move from that area I did, and moved to Tallahassee for school.

And in moving there…
While attending Florida State University, I was introduced to a whole new atmosphere that differed from my experience in South Florida. I was able to volunteer and be amongst fellow black women of various shades and really see our diversity not as a competition, but as divine art. My confidence in my beauty evolved from youthful rebellion against the majority thought to personal confidence and pride. Going natural was a pivotal moment that also allowed me to embrace my hair, and beauty despite the stigmas. As I evolved I wanted to share the joy my confidence gave me with other young women like myself who are surrounded by these images and messages that allude to them that they’re not enough in the eyes of some people. That they’re not beautiful enough for some people. If there is one thing I’d like to share via DhatLook is that young women today we don’t need to fight to prove to everyone that we are beautiful. We don’t have to make everyone see us as valuable. We just have to know it, and feel it for ourselves. Maya Angelou said it best “We teach people how to treat us”. And if we want people to see that we are beautiful, we have to first believe it, and act like it too.

As someone who is so very knowledgeable about the hair industry, would you say that there are certain hair looks that go with certain face shapes, and some that do not?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that certain hair looks go best with one person or another. With hairstyles the objective many of times is to accentuate an oval face or give the illusion of a more oval face shape, as this is considered the most desirable look. Over the years my experience has lead to the belief that the most fashion forward women we admire don’t follow these rules. I really think the majority of beauty tips we receive are meant to guide us on learning how to be comfortable with our beauty, but we’re not obligated to stick to them once we’ve developed our confidence. So by all means if you really want to get bangs to hide your forehead, go ahead if that is what will make you happy, but understand that your forehead is not likely to change, your better option is to change how you feel about your forehead. Do that and you’ll find you’ll be able to rock any hairstyle. When you have a talented hairstylist on your team you’ll be able to tailor any look for your individual tastes. The final objective is always to pick styles that accentuate your favorite attributes not hairstyles that hide something.

There’s been some concern on the part of some that with so many people going natural, that the weave and extension industries are going to suffer. What’s your perspective on this?
I think that the industries that are more likely to suffer with this recent natural hair movement are companies that produce chemical products like relaxers, and companies whose products have ingredients that do more harm than good to hair. People these days have so much access to information we won’t just blindly consume what is marketed to us anymore. The weave and extension business I believe will thrive in this new environment. As someone who has been natural for 4+ years my protective style of choice to grow out my natural has been and continues to be weaves and wigs. What I think is happening in the industry is that women are becoming more educated in terms of hair maintenance and are going to take better care of their hair while in their weaves and wigs so that they can fully reap the benefits of these hairstyles. Weave and extensions especially will continue to be an option for women who want versatility with their hairstyles but don’t necessarily want to permanently alter their hair to achieve a desired look.

Lubin rocking a natural hairstyle.

DhatLook fans have enjoyed your YouTube videos which chronicle your natural hair journey. What made you decide to share that part of yourself with your clients and other viewers?
I think chronicling my natural hair journey was important because it allowed me to have something tangible that I could look back on, and use to compare and see progress through. A fear that plagues many newly natural women is this assumption that their hair isn’t growing or can’t grow or there isn’t any progress in the health and condition of their hair. Keeping this video journal really helped me keep myself accountable when it came to my hair goals, and kept me excited when I looked back on my achievements.

Were you named for the singer Whitney Houston?
[Laughter] Yes. My parents didn’t have a name picked out at the time, but Whitney Houston just so happened to be on the cover of a magazine in the hospital waiting room, so when it came time to naming me they choose Whitney in hopes I would be as talented and successful as the late Whitney Houston.

What hair look of this diva do you most like? I’ve seen throwback photos of her in soft-curls in her modeling days, then the natural look for her debut, then afterwards the permed look.
I like all her looks, she was always good at owning her look. But my absolute favorite was the curly hair she was rocking during her “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video. It was young, fun, and just a little bit wild.

What do you wish all women knew about their hair?
Everything that we consider healthcare can be applied to hair care. I want all women to know that healthy hair rather than “pretty looking hair” is the most important thing you need to concentrate on, because from there you have a canvas to achieve various looks. The most basic thing our hair needs is water, but you should learn how to apply proper hair moisturizing techniques into your routine. There is no magic product or pill for your hair. Your hairstylist is only capable of doing so much in the time they have with you, the majority of your hair-care takes place at home. It’s your responsibility to make sure your using the right techniques.

For those who prefer sew-ins, how can they protect their hair, while having those?
One of the most important things you can do before you install a sew-in is give your hair an overindulgence of TLC. I would deep condition more vigorously the month before an install just so my hair can be in optimal condition. This is because depending on how long you wear your sew-in, you won’t be able to take care of your hair in the same way. And immediately after taking out your sew-in you should repeat and intensely moisturize and condition. If you have leave out finding heat free ways to achieve looks are a must, and if you really can’t avoid using heat on your leave-out than I suggest using extreme caution using heat protectant, and intensive deep treatments weekly to maintain healthy condition of hair.

Now, you’re in a better position to spot trends than most. What have you noted about the hair arena of late?
Women have taken control of educated themselves on haircare. In terms of hair trends, I think we’ve seen an increase of natural and relaxed African American women using protective styles to achieve health and length. Wigs and weaves are staples have always been staples for many women. In today’s face paced environment women want hairstyles that don’t require sitting for long periods of time to achieve. We’ve seen a reemergence of the Janet Jackson Poetic Justice Braids/twist. Young girls to older professional women are rocking this style. Another trend is the use of lace closures for sew-ins in preference of having leave out. With the proper application women are able to achieve a more flawless sew-in. The lace closures allow women to mimic the appearance of a scalp but still achieve a full install. This is a very big trend within the natural hair community for women who want to go with a straight hairstyle but don’t want to have to go through the trouble of applying heat to their hair and/or blending.

You’ve stressed that you don’t want women to think that putting on a piece of hair is the only way to look good, and that there is something much more to it than that.
You have to take care of your hair in the same manner you take care of your teeth, your skin, your body, your mind, and your spirit. Although it is your crown and glory, don’t let it define you. Especially for African American women there’s nothing you should be afraid of concerning your natural hair, and nothing to be ashamed of if you choose to continue to relax, but we should never become hostage to the consequences of bad hair care practices, or bad hair health. I recently featured on my blog DhatLook.com an article written by The Free Movement on this issue. How we feel about ourselves should not be dependent on what we see, but what we know about ourselves. Societies opinions and trends of style and beauty come and go at a rapid pace, trying to keep up can be a tiring battle. What never goes out of style is confidence, and confidence leads women to take better care of themselves. When you live an all around healthy lifestyle that encompasses mental, physical, and spiritual health , confidence is a natural by-product.

What do your parents think of your entrepreneurial ventures?
My parents are business owners and have always been supportive of whatever I’ve chosen to do. They continue to inspire me and motivate me to take risks and not set limitations to success.

You’re extremely passionate about doing philanthropy in the community. What are your latest activities in that area?
As a graduate from Florida State University I try to continue to be active in the community in whatever capacity that is available. I am a member of SISTUHS, Inc., a community service organization for women of color founded on the campus of Florida State University. I volunteer with the local Public Broadcasting Service(PBS) station WPBT Channel 2 in Aventura Florida on a monthly basis so that they can continue to provide our community quality programming that is focused on highlighting our community needs, and spotlighting our diversity. My business partner Jasmine Wheeler is also an inspiration to me because her mother is a caner survivor. Cervical cancer is a major health obstacle to have overcome as a woman, and we are currently working on a project to celebrate these women, we welcome other individuals and businesses who would like to collaborate.

As a beauty entrepreneur, what do you wish to pass to those wishing to go along the same path as yourself?
Have a plan! That doesn’t mean you have to have a 8 page business plan double spaced and typed up. What it means is that you should have an idea of where you want your business to go. It’s important to have a plan because it keeps you from delaying from taking those bold moves you inevitably will have to make to run a successful and competitive business. In the world of business timing can be everything, and having a business plan can be a world of help when it’s time for you to take a leap of faith regarding your business. Another major thing is that there are free-low cost resources everywhere. The Small Business Administration–SBA—is probably the first place I’d suggest someone go to when they have a business idea. They’ll help you flesh it out, and guide you to the proper resources or networking opportunities. This is a local state supported entity that’s sole purpose is to help create more businesses.

You don’t have to have a Master’s of Business Administration to run a successful business, you just need to be an avid learner, and passionate about your vision. Final note I’d like to make is that you’ll find doors opening up everywhere when you make it a mission to be a community member and not only a business owner.

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Ask Stephane Achille about herself and most likely she’ll respond with a blank stare—not because she’s at loss at to what to say, but rather, she may not know where to start when enumerating her accomplishments. Her scholastic accomplishments include an undergraduate degrees in Nursing and near-completion of one in International Relations.

Achille is also a model. She started modeling while in her 30s, that in itself a feat, considering ageism in that industry. But she decided to take a stab at it regardless, after being stopped on the street and getting on-the-spot inquries from passers-by and photographers.

Oh, another thing: she’s an Educator, teaching aspiring new nurses at colleges in her area. Born in Haiti, she came to the United States when she was twelve years old. She initially lived in New York, then spent a decade and a half in the state of Texas, before moving to Florida.

Achille recalls being moved by how much she was welcomed by the Haitian community in South Florida, and returning the cultural squeezy-hug right back, by participating in cultural events and promoting Haitian culture at every opportunity.

And oh yeah: she’s a musical journalist, having written performance reviews for the internet-based Haitian entertainment news outlet called HaitianBeatz.

Most people think that modeling is very glamorous. Is that always the case? What goes into modeling that most people don’t see?
Modeling is very glamorous and you meet some pretty extraordinary human beings along the way and I traveled extensively and it’s quite exhilarating. Unfortunately, I was never able to pursue the career fully because I could never make the decision to walk away from my Nursing profession to model full time because I did not think that it was a sustainable way of making a living because the expectations are somewhat unrealistic at times. By that I mean, I was never able to maintain a stable weight because I fluctuated as most women do but this is not permissible in modeling because you are expected to maintain a certain weight. In addition, I was a homeowner and what most people don’t see is the amount of preparation that goes into a fashion show for example. You prepare your body both mentally and physically for weeks leading up to maybe a 45 second appearance on stage. You can spend hours in hair and makeup. And the amount of abuse your hair and skin goes through to achieve a certain look can take its toll. At the end, it’s all worth it, because models love having their pictures taken, obviously. But just like any other job, it requires discipline and you have to take it seriously because it’s a lot of work.

When you were growing up, and did you look at yourself in the mirror, did you feel beautiful?
I was a cute girl with very long hair…People picked me up endlessly and carried me; I never walked as a little girl. Someone would invariably carry me so I would not say that I looked at myself in the mirror and “felt beautiful” per se, but I knew I was very special. I have a lot of beautiful women in my family including my sister Myriam Achille. I think I was just one of many beautiful little girls growing up. There was never any real emphasis on outer beauty.

Lots of girls want to be models. Do you have some advice for them?
I would say go for it! But make sure that you have a career to fall back on just in case.

What’s a day in the life of Stephane Achille the model like?
Well, I’m just a normal woman just like everyone else—except I take extra steps to take exquisite care of my hair, my skin and my teeth. I live in my beautiful pool home in Miami, Florida which I own. And I maintain a very peaceful and almost therapeutic home life and lifestyle. I lecture twice a week as a Nurse Educator and I attend classes at Florida International University to pursue a second college degree full-time. I’m an avid reader and conversationalist. I interact with friends on several platforms including social media. I attend major events both socially and as a writer. My private time is spent enjoying my close friends and family. I have my own website and this is where I receive most of my requests for modeling jobs, but due to time constraints, I have not been able to fulfill most of my proposals this year. I consider myself a talent and I tend to shy away from the label, model.

What was it like growing up in a Haitian household?
My wonderful humanitarian grandmother named Madeleine Perez raised me. She was the Mayor of Jacmel in Haiti for almost 40 years. When I ventured out with my grandmother as a little girl, I did not have a traditional Haitian childhood per se in that I had a guard who followed me everywhere I went and they even stood outside of my classrooms in elementary school for security purposes—which was part of regular protocol for that time. Growing up, we had a [governess] Madame Robillard, a very educated woman who took great care to ensure that my sister and I had the proper home life as my grandmother tended to the day to day activities of running the town of Jacmel. I did not see my grandmother as a politician, but rather as a public servant. I remember attending official ribbon cutting ceremonies with her to inaugurate new roads in Jacmel. We had homes both in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel and went back and forth. Our homes were full of visitors and as children, we were sheltered naturally, but those were the most memorable times of my life. My uncle Robert Bauduy who was an incredible mind, instilled in me the love of the Haitian arts and culture, but especially the art of reading and the love for books.

What’s the most memorable moment you’ve had on the runway?
Because of my height of 5’5, I did not do many runway shows, but I was fortunate enough to participate in many fashion shows because of my winning personality. I remember doing a fashion show with a Haitian modeling agency and I walked out in front of nearly 10,000 people in Bayfront Park in Miami during a Haitian festival wearing nothing but a bikini by a Haitian designer! I remember the energy from the crowd as I stood fearlessly and unapologetically and I worked that runway with all the pride of being a beautiful Haitian professional woman.

It seems that from reports about the modeling industry, not only are models plagued with issues of eating disorders, and botched surgeries, now there’s this trend among some to resort to body enhancements, include artificial injections.
I pride myself on being 100% natural—from my fingernails to my hair. I have never had any plastic surgery of any kind. I don’t know what the statistics are on the prevalence of eating disorders or “botched” surgeries within the modeling industry. But I know for a fact that the women who are the most successful in the industry are those who maintain a healthy lifestyle and remain as natural as possible. Often times, a Polaroid picture with no makeup is preferred over a re-touched photo in the photo submission process with major modeling agencies. Therefore, we can conclude that the mainstream modeling industry tends to shy away from women with body enhancements, piercings or tattoos.

How do you stay fit?
Naturally, there is tremendous effort to maintain an ideal weight in modeling, but I always represented the “average” woman or “real” woman—for lack of a better word—because I was always voluptuous and the trend in the fashion industry in recent years especially for print modeling which is what I did for the most part, is not as strict because of celebrities such as Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez who paved the way I would say for fashion to include woman such as myself to even consider modeling. I was always well proportioned although I fluctuated in weight, but I don’t do as much as I would like to in order to stay fit because I eat almost anything that I want in moderation of course. My goal is to hit the gym, but so far I haven’t done so but I will! I lead a super active lifestyle, which is not a substitution, but I keep a great balance of especially mind and body, which is probably the most important thing. I meditate on my yoga mat and I stretch endlessly in a very calm and peaceful home that I created for myself to thrive on this earth.

Do you have some beauty tips in terms of how to best remove makeup? Some little-known shortcuts to beauty?
Absolutely! I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis. For school and work, I use translucent powder, a bronzer and lip-gloss! My skin care regimen is very strict. I use a light exfoliator everyday and I moisturize my skin twice a day and I stay out of the sun. I use a clarifying mask weekly and I drink tons of water. My shortcuts to beauty are to accept myself the way that I am and to remain as close as possible to my authentic self—meaning if I color my hair, it will always aim to stay as close to my natural color as possible. I don’t utilize any chemical hair relaxers or artificial hair because I prefer to take care of my scalp and natural hair by moisturizing my real hair once a week with pure coconut oil. I’m careful to ensure that I don’t strain my hair follicles with tight ponytails or braids to avoid traction alopecia which is essentially irreversible hair loss related to the pulling of the your hair strands at the root. So what if your hair is not straight? I am so happy with the number of women that have opted to embrace their natural hair texture and skin color.

How can a woman develop confidence in herself?
This is such a great question. I believe that all of us have an important role to fulfill on earth and can contribute greatly to society. I am a huge proponent of higher learning and I think that there is a big correlation between knowledge and confidence. With knowledge, you build self-confidence and the realization that we are all equal to one another regardless of our individual characteristics and backgrounds. I am a humanitarian and I help others and as I do, I also help myself. I accept my weaknesses and strengths and I am a working progress. I speak publicly and openly and lead a fairly transparent life. I don’t believe that we can thrive in a secret society and therefore, I share my knowledge with others and I learn from everyone even children. As a member of the written press/media for the Haitian Music Industry, women are under-represented and I remember times when I would go to a press conference and I would be the only woman in the room, but I assumed myself with confidence and I continuously tell myself that I belong in that room just like anyone else. I operate through my fears and face life dead on and I’m not afraid of making a fool out of myself. I just live my life and follow my dreams. I have to leave my legacy on this earth and therefore, I utilize all my talents whether acquired or God-given and I don’t compare myself to anyone else. I remain authentic to my true self and I don’t copy on anyone either. Confidence comes from accepting yourself first, then embracing everyone else the way that they are.

Some models struggle with self-esteem. How do you keep your head up in an industry where rejection is rampant?
Well, as I stated before, I did not always get selected for runway shows due in part to the standard height or weight requirements. But if I wanted to be part of a show, I would still go to the casting with my positive outlook. Sometimes, the casting directors would still select me because of my great attitude. I modeled handbags and sunglasses and I did not think twice about the rejections because I always looked at modeling as my hobby because I was so passionate about it. I was featured in a music video once and my small stature worked to my advantage because the director did not want a woman who was six feet tall or a size zero. The average consumer does not look like a runway model. There is a market for every shade of color and every age group and even every height and weight. I have wonderful hair, skin and eyebrows and I can take tight close ups that show beautifully on print and therefore, I represent the non-traditional models that also have a place in the field. In the United States and all across the world, we have senior models that represent brands that do not necessarily want an 18-year-old person because the product would not fit that particular look.

What should we expect from you in the future?
I am working on some excellent projects but most importantly, I plan on attending law school and therefore I maintain a perfect GPA of 4.0 in my second undergraduate degree in International Relations, which I should complete by the end of the year. When I feel prepared, I will sit for the LSAT—the Law School Admission Test—which is an aptitude test for Pre-Law candidates such as myself. I intend on remaining very active in the Haitian community both locally and abroad and being a role model for those who admire me. I also plan to continue to lecture as a Nurse Educator and write as a member of the Haitian Press/Media. I will continue to model until the wheels fall off and represent the women of my age group. I am fortunate enough to be race-ambiguous meaning I can represent every ethnicity which is appropriate within the context of modeling. Above all, I strive to represent Haiti in every way possible to continue to elevate the image of my beloved country. I’d like to thank Kreyolicious Magazine for this wonderful interview and I invite you to visit me on www.stephaneachille.com and interact with me on social media.

Foodies looking to add some extra kick to their meals know to turn to a bottle of Men Pa’w hot sauce. The creation of entrepreneur and seasoned cook Carline Phanor-Briere, Men Pa’w electrifies the taste buds of even the most ardent pepper-loving eater. The brand won Third Place at The Hot Pepper Awards, a culinary competition that rewards fiery food brands.

Kreyolicious reached out to the entrepreneur to talk about what goes into creating a food and condiment brand.

Kreyolicious: What made you get into the condiment industry?

My childhood inheritance got me into the condiment industry. Not only was I born in a kitchen, many women in my family have left a legacy in regards to entrepreneurship. I have always had great exposure to cooking—whether it be soups, dips, cocktails, ceviches, gratinées and so on. I love international seasonings and enjoy multicultural cuisine. On the other hand, I thrive on business challenges and love to practice my intergenerational marketing skills.

Kreyolicious.com: What’s the spiciest meal you’ve ever had in your life?

The spiciest dish I have ever had is the Mexican Mole Poblano. It is called the national dish of Mexico. It contains about 20 ingredients of different chili peppers, including chocolate which works to counteract the heat of the combination of chili peppers. The mole sauce can be different according to the type of peppers that predominate; to name a few green peppers for mole verde and others including red habaneros for mole rojo, black peppers, yellow colorados, almendrados and pipian. This dish is most popular in the central regions of Mexico like Puebla and Oaxaca . It is most often served for special occasions and holidays, like Cinco de Mayo, and for the famous posadas. The mole poblano I savored was exquisitely prepared by primitive indians in Oaxaca.

Kreyolicious: As someone who has made it through the trenches and has her own food business, what would you say to others who are thinking of doing the same?

My message to anyone interested or starting this type of business is that perseverance and hard work pays off. Also most importantly, get inspired and do not be afraid of creating and customizing your own ideas; uniqueness and integrity is the core roadway to anointed success…Do not try to cheat your competitors or to copy exactly what they do…Create your own, believe in it and move forward with faith, fair play and integrity. Last but not least, competition is a great thing; I believe it is actually the most powerful engine to achieve great success. Do not be afraid as the horizon the cosmic is limitless and there is room for everyone to succeed!

So what are your thoughts on the Men Pa’w Hot Sauce? Is it inspiring you to become an entrepreneur?

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If you’re feeling indecisive about career and life decisions you have to make, look further than New York Assembly member Kimberly Jean-Pierre for some solid advice and inspiration. A graduate of Brooklyn College, the now-state official also attended Stony Brook College, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. As the daughter of Haitian immigrants, she could not stand sitting with her legs crossed when an earthquake hit Haiti in the early 2010s. She got on the staff of the Haiti Relief Project, helping oversee the relief effort. But long before that catastrophic event, she had sought out Haiti-related causes, having served as Vice President of an organization called Haitian Americans United for Change.

“Sadly, I have never visited the country,” says the state official. “Many people find it very hard to believe because I love the culture and speak Creole fluently. My mom hasn’t been back since 1992 and my father never felt it was safe for me to travel.” The earthquake would have been a vital time to travel there, but she knew she’d be more helpful by staying in New York raising money, gathering medical supplies, apparel and food. “I planned to travel [last] summer, but the campaign came along. The plan is to travel [this] year.”

Meanwhile, she’s going places in life and in her career, and, boy, can we learn a thing or two from her.

Don’t be afraid to do a 180.

“After graduating undergraduate school, I knew I wanted to somehow get involved in education,” she recalls. “I applied for the Fellows Program to become a teacher, but I wasn’t sure about being a teacher. My brother encouraged me to apply for a Master’s Program at Stony Brook University and Public Policy was a new program and I figure I can use this degree to get involved in educational policies. Through the graduate program, I fell in love with local Politics and local government and never left.”

Being in proximity to parents and loved ones is cool, but it’s even better to get out of your comfort zone.

“Long Island was never a thought for me,” contends the native Brooklynite, “but graduate school brought me here. Internships created an entire new definition of what I can do with my degree and the opportunity for a new environment. It’s important to look at your options and the network you have built. Putting yourself in a challenging situation like I did helps you overcome so many factors that not only help you professionally—but personally.”

Above: Kimberly Jean-Pierre has a light conversation with some women in her community.

If you’re torn between degrees, there’s only one thing to do…

“Study what you love,” advises Kimberly Jean-Pierre. “I went into Creative Writing because—[from] childhood to my young adult [years], I kept a journal documenting my daily life. I was always a big storyteller and enjoyed playing pretend. More importantly, I battled with my writing and knew it was a necessary tool.”

If your parents had humble beginnings, let that be a driving force of sorts for you.

“I think both of my parents did what they had to do based on the time they came to the United States,” she explains to Kreyolicious. “My mom was a home health aide for over 25 years—and as a single mom she carried out her responsibilities to ensure all four of her children were educated and taken care of. I knew if the opportunities available to me were available to both my parents, their lives would be different.”

Let others do them, and do you.

Now that Kimberly Jean-Pierre is a big-shot in the state of New York, does she ever come across people who used to be mean in high school, and who try to act like they’re her best friends now? “Oh, New York Assembly Woman, Kimberly Jean-Pierre! Girl, what’s up”, and they try to high-five her or dap her and everything. “I am grateful that I can’t relate to that,” she tells Kreyolicious of that scenario. And even if there had been meanies, she probably was oblivious to them. “I have always been a kind and friendly individual. My friends always ask me, “Why are you always smiling or laughing?” Life is too short, there’s no reason for enemies, and effective communication eliminates all this mean behavior.”

Work for free, work for free—also known as interning.

Kimberly’s internship with the New York Public Interest Research Group led to a lot of great opportunities afterwards. To those out there who are thinking about interning, she has plenty of advice in terms of what internships to apply for, and how to make the best of an internship. “Internships are an opportunity for one to build his or her network in the industry they seek interest in, so use it wisely,” she advises. “Ask to be a part of projects, meetings, bring forth ideas, etc. Interns are like staff, employers like to hire within so be known and always be professional. My career on Long Island started with internships and the relationships I built which promoted me from one level of government to another, starting in 2008.”

Above: Kimberly Jean-Pierre (in pink blouse) speaks to blue collar workers in her community.

It’s possible for introverts to become leaders.

Is it really? “Yes,” she replies, “when you break out of it. Pride doesn’t exist on the journey to success.” She continues: “You have to be comfortable to ask questions and make mistakes. Learning from your mistakes is imperative because it changes you professionally and personally. A leader requires work and my pastor would say Leadership is decisiveness, consistency and strength. Change is the essence of maturation.”

Books can change one’s whole outlook on life.

And Kimberly has read such a book. “That book would be my life, my childhood,” she contends. “My mom was a single mom, and as her second oldest but the oldest in the house, the responsibilities of my siblings was mine while she worked long hours. I raised my sister and brother once I graduated graduate school—bringing them to Long Island. The early adult decisions I had to make have shaped me today.

Some gut feelings may turn out to be wrong.

“Nothing comes to mind right now, but I am sure it has happened,” she says of the go-by-your-instincts rule. “You learn to look at the pros and cons of the decision you have to make.”

Remember the basics.

The Assembly Woman says that if she could break down her life into three lessons, they’d simply be summarized in three words: Faith, partnerships and confidence. “Faith–know that God loves you puts your through journeys in preparation for the future. Keep him alive within you,” she explains. “Partnerships—leadership doesn’t occur without building a network and foundation. Confidence- believe in yourself, as a young woman I battled with this but every day I get stronger. Confidence helps you in so many areas of your life.”

Take matters one at a time.

When Kreyolicious inquired about her plans for the future, Kimberly replies, “I am not quite sure, but I know it will be good. I have stopped planning for the future, instead I am focused on the now.”

And speaking of now, Kreyolicious cheries, it’s time for you to put some of these principles to use! Meanwhile…

[Photos furnished by subject.]

KIMBERLY JEAN-PIERRE ON TWITTER| VISIT KIMBERLY JEAN-PIERRE’S WEBSITE

It is often said that every techie has a hidden creative side. Is there any truth to this? Computer Science graduate Giscard Nazon certainly leads one to believe there is some truthfulness in that saying. An information technology professional for most of his life, Nazon has emerged with My Modern Woman an epic poem he self-published in 2012. The book’s subtitle is “For Men and Women”, which is appropriate, considering that men and women are complements of one another.

Nazon’s poem is full of well-chosen words: “There is fondness for darkness/When wretched candle lights/Battle from land to land/To become the headlight.” Further he writes: “My modern woman/I am honored and humbled/To be the man of her trust/The director that she chose.”

What inspired you to write your poem?
It came as a surprise to me. When I started writing it, I realized that a spiritual language was unfolding through it and it stood out from any pattern that could be found in my previous writings. I believe it was brought about as my worldview started to change following steps I had taken two years prior to redirect my spiritual life. [This] led me to a greater appreciation and understanding of the Christian faith. I believe my impulse then was to express through a character—My Modern Woman—my new understanding of and ability to recognize and relate to Biblical Christianity.

When did you start writing?
I started writing at the age of 18, during my last year of high school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. My first poems were in French. I published two books that year. First, Naufrage en Haute Terre [Shipwreck on High Earth], which was only one poem that I released as a “single”—making an analogy to the music world—then Première Distance [First Distance], which was a collection of poems and various thoughts. It included the former publication and was thus considered the “album.” Then over the years, I began to write poems in English too and experiment with different writing styles leaning on greater freedom. But I did not write steadily, and also more rarely did I write in French. That went on for thirteen years until it came to the writing of My Modern Woman. I like to help people use technology efficiently and as issues arise, to bring a solution. I have also been a musician for a long time. I have been learning how to play the violin since I was a child, and for some time until in recent years, I have been composing and producing my music. That somehow spilled into my writing a little bit as I found myself using musical concepts, usually to mark a transition or bring emphasis on or around a certain word or thought. I found that to be an original way to bring my two creative engines together. I am also a keen observer of society, leaders, current events and their influence on society, and I strive to be a light to others in any capacity given to me. I am an endurer for Christ whom I now know and who knows me.

Anything, or anyone in particular who inspired My Modern Woman?
Yes, the book has two aspects. First – and that is how it started, it is a portrait of a woman. The first few and last few pages of the book depict that person and a context in which I, the author, relate to her. It is a created character that may present traits that I have observed or understood that a Christian woman ought to exhibit. The second aspect of the book was birthed from the first and even became the core of it. It was my road map as I became a Christian. It contains the foundations that I had to lay to gain a worldview befitting my conversion. It is made of a series of current topics, many that I was considering for the first time, and my inspiration or rather my call to duty by God, was to establish and express a Biblical stance on such topics.

What do you think of modern poetry?
I am curious to better understand modern developments in poetry, including the return perhaps to more traditional styles of writing. That has not been my focus of study, but in regards to My Modern Woman, I have been interested to identify it with a given genre. The writing is not conventional, which can be considered a characteristic of modern poetry, but at the same time there is also something formal about it, which is meant to be established by the enduring reader. Hence, the observation I made that the reading of my book has been a delight to some and a stumbling block to others. It seems to be a subjective matter what we can define as modern poetry, especially if the more recent trends have been a return towards more conventional styles of writing. But given that I did not make a style decision as I started to write my book, and the writing rather imposed its form, I am happy if it is considered modern and equally happy otherwise.

What’s next for you?
Next for me is to keep on writing. In fact, I will release an e-book this year. It will be a work in prose this time. The material is chiefly Christian and also written as to personally engage the reader to answer questions, ask questions and have an involved attitude towards the truth—that is, all that is accepted as truth.

Visit Giscard Nazon’s website HERE and learn more about his book HERE.

If there is a year that would go down as the year of the greatest achievement in the literary career of Paulette Poujol-Oriol, it would no doubt be 1980, the year she turned 54. That year would bring Poujol-Oriol a great deal of critical acclaim (including the Deschamps Literary Prize) with what some consider to be her most outstanding work: Le creuset: roman.

The novel covers more than a century in the lives of a Haitian family, starting with the matriarch Hermansia Pierre, a woman born under Emperor Faustin Soulouque. Ti Sia, as she is called (Sò Sia, Man Sia afterwards…Sister Sia, Madame Sia), grows up as a homely servant in the household of a relative, and marries at 17 to an older man, a soldier. Procreating is the poor man’s way of acquiring children, and since the first two children that she bears die prematurely, she is deserted by her husband. Just when she thinks everything is lost, Compad a seasonal Cuban merchant steps into her life, and by the time he leaves her never to return, she doesn’t even hold grudges because he left her with Linda, the seed she’s dreamed of at last. Linda marries Merantus Tervil, and that relationship yields Pierre “Roro” Tervil, who practically dominates the rest of the book. With the money left to him in an old mattress by his godfather Boss Calalou, Tervil sets out to make something of himself. During the U.S. Occupation of Haiti in the 1920s, he befriends an American hospital, who’s instrumental in getting him a full scholarship to the United States to become a full-pledged pediatrician. While there, Tervil becomes involved with Lynn, but at his departure he breaks off the relationship with her, with the rationale that she will never adapt to Haitian life and norms. Ironically, while on a steamship returning to Haiti, Tervil meets blonde haired, ice-eyed Micaëlle Deperac Landsfeld, a German-Haitian, returning from Europe. She’s 18, and he’s already in his 30s, and they begin a torrid affair on the ship. All is well until they land in Haiti. When her highbrow, hard-nosed Haitian elite parents uncover the affair, they explode. The reader, of course, notes how a relationship with a fellow compatriot can consist of even more difficulty than that one with a foreigner.

Le Creuset is not a romance novel, though it definitely has its moments, but it’s more like a detailed sketch of life and norms in Haiti. Color issues, social prejudice, education, feminism—are all explored within.

Poujol-Oriol wouldn’t publish another novel until 1996, the riveting story of Coralie Santeuil in Le passage: roman. Where Hermansia Pierre is a take-charge woman, Coralie is so weak, and is so lacking in taking initiative, that she exasperates the reader. Four years prior to telling the story of Coralie, Poujol-Oriol had written a collection of short stories that she entitled La fleur rouge: nouvelles. This book, as with the others, show how much of a genius of the written word that Poujol-Oriol was. In each story, she depicts pieces of Haitian life, sometimes evoking a chuckle, sometimes a shake of the head. There is the story “Lucette”, in which she writes of a socialite in Port-au-Prince who goes to France in search of a husband, accompanied by her mountain-bred playmate. The socialite has some plastic surgery while there to fix her buck teeth, and to decrease her bust size. After a five year campaign, she finally lands the husband, and returns to Haiti with the childhood playmate, who is now in her late teens. The socialite sends her off her childhood friend off to the “trou”, the hole where she came from. The wise reader reads into this, that the girl is sent away—under the pretext that she let some prized birds fly away—when in reality it is because her mistress fears that she will become major temptation for her new husband. The other stories in La fleur rouge: nouvelles follow this same pattern; simple introduction, denouement, and then a final O. Henry-like element of surprise.

Poujol-Oriol was also an educator it turns out, but how glad one is that she found time to write these works, which are a great contribution to Haitian literature. Poujol-Oriol’s genius is recognized by many including Nadève Ménard who in the book Ecrits d’Haïti: Perspectives sur la littérature haïtienne, [Writings of Haiti: Perspective on Haitians Literature] classifies the novelist as one of the most remarkable literary giants of the 20th Century.

Image Credit: Radio Television Caraibes