Meet Sandra Russo | artist / founder of Sandilou

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

Hi Sandra, what do you attribute your success to?
the human factor : the creativity of the people of my country , the constant never boring life in Haiti, the incredible imagination in the storytelling .

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
i had an associat in art , a bse in photography but i am a self taught ,grew up surrounded by artists spwcialy women artists ( friend of my mother) , being aware of the the art in the streets , publc transportation in Haiti, I did not want to paint ( or i have not taken the step) on canvas but was facinated by colors and the flow of fabrics ,.
my husband and I had a clothing company using the plain local cotton fabric and I alwayswanted to put designs on them started my own company with my hand painted fabric. using dyes and paint.
excitment is part of our creative journey discorevy, curiosity and excitment.
it was and still is not easy business ina challenging environnement is like walking on a thight rope ,trust in our team, our creativity and loving every minute of it does not make it a challenge .
our brand is everything from the caribbean the colors , spirit, easy laid back , passion, warmth . a team of artists paints on fabrics from art silk , cotton , linen , with paint and dyes most of our designs are done free hand , .

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
as a welcome coktail hour i would go to the hotel Montana with its magnificent view, have dinner there . Day 2 ; a trip outside of the capital to Nouailles the village of the cutmetal recycle oildrum meca. with the most interesting voddoo temple painted by the artist Tessa Mars,

Day 3 : a visit to the “centre D’art” founded in 1944 it is carddle for haitian art . on the way back stop to see the beautifull gingerbread house like ” the olofson hotel” , Maison Dufort;

Day 4:
hoping it is a saturday have lunch at le “Pti Creux” a haititan restaurant /buffet of delicious haitian food, or at HAITI BITES a fusion of local and modern cuisine on the way to the art galleries of Petion Ville.

Day5: visit the haitian craft store “kay Atizan” and “lakou lakay” pay a visit downtown to “atelier Calla” to see how the artisans work the horns to make jewerly and home goods

Day 6: if in january it is jazz Festival time with concerts and jam sessions every night in different places of town

Day 7: day with friends at the beach for the warmth of the sun , the water and the friends.
one week is not enough , a lot of fantastic places are outside of the capital .
I love the south of the country for its nature the north has the most spectacular historical sites (citadelle ,Milot ….}

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
so many people , I would start with my incrediblve mother (artist , writer) always a strong support , my family husband/partner the friends , theconstant sharing and support of community of women artists and artisans , ( all of them deserve recognition)

Website: www. sandilou.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandilouthebrand/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandilouthebrand

Image Credits
Caftan exposition photo by Jean Francois Russo Sandra Hollant Russo in black t-shirt photo by Mimi Robinson