Meet David Andre | Fashion designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Andre and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?

More than 20 years since I started in that beautiful adventure to launch my brand and a career as fashion designer in Haiti it was a real challenge in a country where the essence of fashion didn’t exist at all aside all the problems we are facing, but it was a choice to stay and to make things happen in the good and bad moments of my everyday life as a professional. My work, my passion, my determination and my perseverance leaded me to so many successful paths that I wasn’t expected. As they say my hard work pays off and I am very proud. Every experience is different, and each experience is unique. We don’t have definitive guidelines on persistence, and giving up. I am not going to say that I am perfect, sometimes I doubt as each one of us, it happens also that I want to give up, but I always have that little voice in my head to remind me why I am doing this ?, that I came too far to give up. It’s important to trust. The decision to continue doing something or to stop, is part of the way you think, but it’s always good to find the courage, the power inside to keep going and move on. Through the years I went through some failures, struggles, but I learned a lot from my mistakes. My biggest lesson is to know that time is a great teacher, in my career I learned to be patient, I let time guide me, I allow myself to go through with the decision I made for a while, and then look within for the next step.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I always wanted to become a fashion designer since my childhood, I had a passion to sketch garments, but I wasn’t so sure that I was going to pursue a career in the fashion industry. I grew up in a family where my parents owned clothing stores downtown of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Clothes were something usual for me. After my high school, I finally made the choice to study fashion, I went at “Academy Faith Verona” in Haiti where I spent 3 years, while I was studying I build my business, later I was referred by the director of Verona to the prestigious fashion school in Paris “Formamod”. So many people think been a fashion designer is something easy, and fun, I can say in a way, yes, but it can be very stressful during the preparation of a collection or working on a last client delivery. The most important thing in that industry is to be professional and to deliver on time. In the beginning, I couldn’t manage my stress, I was always doubting about myself, but now I realized it was good to go through these steps, because I am more serene and confident about the person I became. During that passionate journey I have learned to take one action every day, to manage my time, because tomorrow is not guaranteed, the time is NOW. I want the world to know that I am a fashion designer from Haiti with almost 25 years, we are a chic unisex resort wear line made of cotton and linen, cotton voile, chiffon, etc., for your comfort, ease and elegance to meet summer climate. Our line can be easily worn to the beach and out of the beach by walking through the city for shopping or sipping a cocktail in the evening, to party in paradise. This line is dedicated to a national and international clientele with a passion for holidays in exotic locations around the world. I want to share with the community that I have big dreams, I am a hard worker, ambitious who wants to be the best next thing in the fashion world. Don’t forget that name, “David Andre Collection”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I would be very glad to welcome my friend to my country, my role as a host is to show him/her the best of what Haiti as to offer and to help him/her spend a great stay. If he/she arrives on a Thursday I would take him/her for dinner at Observatoire in the fresh air of the hills of Laboule, where you have a whole view of Port-au-Prince by night while sipping a rum punch and eating some good “Fritay” (traditional Haitian fried food). Later in the evening I would take him/her to Ram at the legendary hotel Oloffson to listen to some good traditional songs to stress out and mingle. On Friday head on for some vitamin sea, you can’t come to Haiti without going to the beach where the sand is white, the crystal water is blue and turquoise, drinking coconut water under the coconut trees, seafoods such as lobster, conch are so tasty. If he/she is an art lover, on Saturday it’s a must to visit the Noailles village where they can admire and shop stunning artcrafts from the best Haitian artisans. To finish, on Sunday I would invite him/her for a walk in the mountains of kenscoff, to enjoy the nature, the fresh air, to taste the renown “cafe du soir”. Haiti is very rich with its culture, art, and historical places I will also suggest them to visit the national pantheon museum in Port-au-Prince, Bassin bleu an attractive natural water site in Jacmel, the majestuous Citadelle la Ferrière, Sans Soucis palace in the north, Saut- Mathurine waterfall in the south and so many other places worth a visit and you would be amazed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
What a huge point? Don’t want to make some jealous… Lol… Lol…. During all these years I have met so many persons on my path. Most of the time, they were very nice to me. I admit that I learned a lot from all of them, especially when they are older. I want to send a big shout out to certain persons who will be always be in my heart such like Mrs. Magalie Racine, she gave me a space to showcase my first collection. My mother, she supported me, helped me out through my career since day one. My best friend for almost 30 years, always available to listen to me, never judges me and we never fight or curse at each other. The list is very long, but the only thing I can say “Thank you” for all and I am very grateful to have you in my life and heart.

Website: www.davidandrecollection.com

Instagram: davidandrecollection

Linkedin: davidandrecollection

Twitter: david171979

Facebook: davidandre

Other: My email address is : davidandrecollection@gmail.com

Image Credits
Freddy Cruz Reginald Georges Awa Photography c/o Gaelle Sejour Jameson Thermitus