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Collection 001 

A person lying down holding a bouquet of white flowers.

Watch the campaign here

The campaign titled Spirited Away is a multi-part film and look book. This dark comedy, written by Kofi Dechie Couston, details the gradual haunting of someone who has just stolen the highly sought-after Cator Shirt (a part of Atana Lindor S/S25) from his deceased friend in the middle of his funeral. A play on Haitian spirituality and voodoo, the story begs the question “can you live without dying for something?”. The look book shot by London based photographer Tamibé Bourdanné, is a visual extension of the 3-part short film. Capturing portraits embodying the black and white photography of Haiti’s Kanaval. Bourdanné captures the two main characters as though they are frozen in the space between life and death.

Spirited Away written and directed by Kofi Couston and directed by Victoria Gong

Score by Dechiewhy~

Thank you to: Niyi Ferriera, Gina Bell, Daberechi Kalu, Eli Matnish, Guy Nitzani, Karyan Au-Yeung , Martin King ,Gina Ponge, Ivan Michael, Tina Kim, Sen, Tommy O’Dwyer, Chloe Johnson, Canaan Brown, Mirabelle Knowles, Gina Bell, Haroun Yamou , Kamal Frederick, Deen T. Goring, Brandon Bernard 

Watch the full campaign HERE

A young black man with curly black hair standing against a brick wall, wearing a white T-shirt with a graphic design, dark shorts, a chain necklace, and looking directly at the camera.
A young man standing against a white brick wall, wearing a white button-up shirt, shorts, and black shoes, holding a phone in his left hand.
Two young men with dark curly hair leaning against a white brick wall, dressed in black outfits with patterned pants and black shoes, posing in a dimly lit room.
Back view of person wearing black T-shirt with Haitian flag star and French text, standing against a white brick wall.
Two young men with dark curly hair standing against a white brick wall, dressed in dark casual clothing, in a black-and-white photo.
Person holding a bouquet of white and green flowers, wearing multiple rings on fingers, face partially visible with eyes closed.
A person lying down holding a bouquet of white flowers over their forehead, with a dark background.
A young man with dark skin, short hair, wearing a white shirt, patterned shorts, and pink socks with slip-on shoes, walking along a sidewalk while looking at his cellphone. The man is carrying a black metal bench in front of him. Behind him is a gard
A person with dark skin in a black outfit is posing outdoors with one foot on a small black chair, standing on a narrow pathway next to a brick wall and greenery, with sunlight casting shadows.
Two people standing closely on a balcony, wearing black t-shirts with a star and French text, overlooking a cityscape with modern buildings and green trees.
Young man with short hair wearing a black jacket, white pants, and black shoes walking on a city street next to a building with white brick and beige siding, carrying a tan purse.
A person with dark skin and short hair sitting outdoors on a small black chair, wearing a black oversized shirt, shorts, pink checkered socks, and black loafers, with a background of dense green leafy plants.
Two people sitting by a canal or pond, with their backs to the camera, wearing red and black T-shirts with similar writing and star symbols, in an urban park area.
A man sitting on a tan couch in a room, looking at his phone. He is wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and black boots. There are clothing items on the couch and a framed poster on the floor.

Who killed Haiti?

Black and white photo of a person in a field holding a large, intricate sculpture. The background includes tall grass and two modern buildings in the distance.

The Autumn/Winter 2023 collection Who Killed Haiti? investigated the Tonton Macoute, the Haitian paramilitary force created in 1959 by dictator Francois Duvalier. Dinasti Duvalier (The Duvalier dynasty) was a hereditary dictatorship that lasted almost 30 years. Only two years after becoming president, Papa Doc created the paramilitary, whose uniform consists of daunting masks. Intrigued by the use of a mask as a uniform for policing. The ideas of the uniform began the initial framework for this collection. This collection explores the uniform and how it’s used as a tool to uphold power and change identity. This exploration was done through image, music, and academic research. Working alongside artist based in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti to create sculpture work to further expand the ideas of this collection.

The coffin as a uniform for the funeral. A universal vessel used to hold and protect our loved ones after they have passed. Let me tell you something…

The collection soundtrack, created by Dechie, features the fusion of Haitian jazz, the voice of Papa Doc, and vibrant noises of Kanaval.

Featuring The Funeral’s Uniform, 2023. Serge Jolimeau and Rony Jacques in collaboration with Harielle Atana-Lindor.

170cm x 85cm, Recycled Oil Drums.

Leah Gordon: Kanaval, 2021
Herve Telemaque: A Hopscotch of the Mind, 2001
Alex Webb: Under a Grudging Sun: Photographs from Haiti Libere, 1986-1988

Thank you to: Serge Jolimeau, Rony Jacques, Nathalie Tancrede, Harris Elliot, Ryan James, Dechie, Leo J. Caligan, Luke Ami, Ope, Jum, Sonny, Kofi, and Zen

All the boys on the hillside. Zeni, Jum, Kofi, Sonny, and Ope A/W23
Kofi, Ope, Sonny, and Jum in A/W23
A/W23 shot by Ryan James
Jum in the Oil Suit A/W23 with the clay crown and horn.
Sonny and Zeni A/W23
Sonny, Jum, and Ope A/W23
Jum A/W23
The Oil Suit A/W23
Zeni in the Silvio Cator Shirt and Cut & Fray Trousers A/W23

In conversation with

Metal Artists
Translator

Serge Jolimeau & Rony Jacques
Nathalie Tancrede

In Conversation with: Metal Artists Serge Jolimeau and Rony Jacques 2023 was a live video call discussion, via the Royal College of Arts, moderated by designer Harielle Atana-Lindor. Haitian metal art is incredibly unique hallmark of Haitian culture. During her research processes, she stumbled upon the work of Serge and Rony, which led to their collaboration. This one hour conversation details the process and creation of the metal sculpture The Funeral’s Uniform, as well as all of the artists individual practices and how they came together to collaborate.

Collaboration across generations. Collaboration within the diaspora. How do we inspire each other?

This Must Be the Beginning of the End

The Spring/Summer 2022 collection This Must Be the Beginning of the End is an examination of Mod subculture and the reinterpretation of it’s silhouettes through the lens and themes of H.G Wells 1898 sci-fi novel The War of the Worlds. A fictional invasion of Great Britain around the early twentieth century by Martians. Exploring ways of “invading” materials and fabrics. A subculture that heavily references Caribbean Rude-boy culture, originating from 1960’s Jamaican street culture. This Must Be the Beginning of the End is an exploration of the fusion of cultures as well as the beginning of the brands approach to story building.

“Pity for those witless souls that suffer our dominion” H.G. Wells, War of the Worlds

H.G Wells: The War of the Worlds
Thompson, S: The Story of Subculture: The Rude Boy (& Rude Girl)
Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds

Team: Stafi Samaki, Kofi Couston, Martin King,
Dechiewhy~, PaniJewellery