BEHIND THE WOMAN

Raised by Haitian immigrants who settled in Harlem and Flatbush in New York City, I was introduced to the Hip Hop culture through my older siblings and classical music in ballet classes. 

I remember the first time I saw the vibrant stylistic graffiti tags on a subway car ripping by me as a kid. My life changed instantly!  The sudden flash of street art tapped deeply into my imagination. To say the least, my choices in music, style, art and my cultural cues are all courtesy of the big apple. 

A self-proclaimed Garment District brat I spent hours playing on factory floors and went on fabric runs with my seamstress mother. She taught me how to construct a garment and more importantly about color and textiles.

As my passion for fashion grew, I enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology while simultaneously landing my dream job just a few blocks away, at Calvin Klein Inc. Working at Calvin, I fell in love with the modern seductive aesthetic of the brand. My time there left an imprint on how I view style and luxury to this day. 

Post 9/11, I felt compelled to follow my dream of travelling and living in Europe. I packed my bags (with my bit of French) and landed in Geneva, Switzerland. I earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion and accessories with distinction from the Geneva University of Art and Design. Winning the Geneva Cultural Affairs award while being recognized for the Geneva Contemporary Art Fund and Swiss Design Prize.

In 2006, I opened a studio/showroom and launched my namesake women’s wear label. The collection meshed New York cool with the old-world of European couture. I showed the collection in Zurich and Tokyo fashion weeks and was hailed as a young designer to watch in Switzerland.  During this time, I was tapped by the environmental NGO Reddress to be a part of “EcoChic”, their international couture fashion show and exhibitions that toured Geneva, Milan, Hongkong and Singapore.

 After running the brand for almost 10 years I shut the doors and the opportunity arose to focus on my second passion…Sustainability. In 2016 I was asked to be a part of the sustainability journey of a multinational company in Geneva which has been a truly rewarding achievement in my career.

Sustainability has always been central to me even during my days as a designer. Today I advocate for the oceans, biodiversity, human rights and social justice.

The launch of my blog is a direct response to the many messages I receive about the sustainability stories that I share and my personal style. I can’t think of a better way of combining my two greatest passions, fashion and sustainability. So, join me in creating a community to learn, be inspired and have discussions through this online journal.

RED Geneva, Switzerland