Sequined & Beaded

The 1950s and early 1960s saw a swift increase in the rise of immigration from Haiti to the U.S.. This was soon after Francois Duvalier (“Papa Doc”) became president of Haiti and people were fleeing the repression that followed. Many Haitians found their way to New York, which boasts the largest communities of Haitians in the states. It was in 1964 that Fabrice Simon arrived here with his family and it was in the 1970s that this designer, simply known as Fabrice, took the disco era fashion world by storm dressing the likes of Cornelia Guest, Natalie Cole and Ivana Trump. Launched in 1976 his clothing was often sensuous, body conscious and with it's hand beading and sequins reflected the influence of some of his homeland's art and traditions.

Fabrice passed away in 1998 but this year will feel his influence as graphic and abstract sequined pieces are finding their way back into fashion. I have a love for Haitian sequin art and if tastefully done see nothing wrong with adding a little bit of glitz and glamour to a wardrobe. It will be interesting to see what designers will come up with this time around.