'Kreyol' clothes with attitude
published: Sunday | June 26, 2005
Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
A model presents a design from Joelle Jean-Fontaine's Kreyol
collection at Pulse Caribbean Fashionweek 2005, held at the National Indoor Sports Centre, in St. Andrew recently.
Nathelie Taylor, Sunday Gleaner Writer
Eclectic. Edgy. Daring. Unique. Try to convey the essence of Haitian designer's Joelle Jean-Fontaine's Kreyol line and those words come readily to mind. Her creations, which are alive with spirit and imagination, incorporate characteristics of various cultures and time periods.
Naturally, it's hard not to stand out in a Jean-Fontaine design. Her handiwork, "a mixture of 1800s silhouettes with vintage fabrics and bold colours and styles that are somewhat reminiscent of my Caribbean culture", are all meant to be seen and talked about.
And, a few weekends ago, lots of eyes were glued to her fashions as her creations were presented at the Pulse Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston. It was Jean-Fontaine's first showing at CFW. However, she is no stranger to the fashion scene. Although young in the business she's been professionally designing for less than two years Jean-Fontaine has had a number of showings in North America since 2003, including New York Fashion Week (2003), Avant Garde Fashion Show (2004) and the Design & Composite Art Show.
a new level
Then came CFW and Jean-Fontaine knew she had reached a new level in her career. She believed that her Haitian presence was just what CFW needed this year and, prompted by her photographer, she decided to give it a shot. "I realised that this is where I needed to be. As an established event representing the best talents in the Caribbean, there was no Haitian presence. I felt that since there was really no other designer like myself an avant garde, Haitian female this was the year for me to be there," she said.
As it turned out, CFW was an amazing experience that Jean-Fontaine will not soon forget. One thing she has come away with is a greater appreciation that Caribbean models are extremely appealing. "I never realised there was such a large range of different types of beauties within our culture. From the innocence of Jaunel McKenzie to the commanding demeanour of Nadine Willis, Sunna's deep chocolate complexion and Carla Campbell's Barbie Doll image, the models at CFW represented what the world already knows but is afraid to say we are the most beautiful women in the world," she said.
On a larger scale, she says that CFW was actually the beginning for her. "I've gotten a great deal of exposure at CFW. I have already spoken to a buyer and will start selling my clothing within the next month and a half at a boutique in the high fashion district in Boston".
More than expected
However, while CFW was "so much more" than she had expected, Jean-Fontaine thinks that a few production hitches adversely affected the show. "I think that there definitely needed to be a little more time allocated between the shows to allow enough time for preparation. People were waiting for a while, which can sometimes be frustrating," she said. The designer further believes that the vendors' booths could have had a greater impact if they had "been kept up during the show, as opposed to having them during the day."
Fashion designing is Joelle Jean-Fontaine. There simply isn't one without the other. Interestingly though, she would have chosen architecture or interior designing had fashion designing not been her passion simply because she loves the "art of presentation".
She began designing two years ago while home with her son. Describing herself as an active person, Jean-Fontaine admits that being home was driving her insane, so she decided to funnel her energies into designing and hasn't looked back since. "I started to sew to maintain a certain level of sanity. A friend had invited me to a fashion conference in New York for Fashion Week a couple of years ago and I showed my first collection of about 13 pieces. It is who I am. I can literally sew for three days straight take a two hour break and wake up and do it all over again," she said.
different yet trendy
Voted 'Best Dressed' in high school, Jean-Fontaine's sense of fashion is about being different yet trendy and this is the foundation of her work. "It's important to me to not blend in and look like everyone else. I consider myself to be very unique and I always wanted that to show on the outside. That is why I design. I want everyone who wears my clothing to feel bold and unique. My clothing is not for everybody only those who are born to stand out," she said.
CFW is now a pleasant memory and Jean-Fontaine is looking towards bigger things. Continuing her campaign for recognition, she will now be seeking sponsorship for a major solo show this September during New York Fashion Week, for a line which is "reminiscent of myself and every other little girl growing up in the Caribbean with our feminine ruffle dresses with lace and embroidered detail." She will also present a men's collection then. And, she is still focused on creating a buzz about her designs, but still anticipates that she will do well once her clothing begins to sell.
As for CFW next year? Well, that's already been marked on her calendar as a must-attend event.
