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JO 2024 : Haiti, ranked 3rd among the most elegant outfits according to ForbesHaiti
JO 2024 : Haiti, ranked 3rd among the most elegant outfits according to Forbes
Haiti
  • July 26, 2024
  • | 1

JO 2024 : Haiti, ranked 3rd among the most elegant outfits according to Forbes

As the 2024 Olympic Games were launched this Friday, July 26, Paris vibrated to the rhythm of artistic performances and parades of more than 200 delegations from around the world. Among these delegations, Haïti stood out with an Olympic uniform that attracted international attention, ranking third in the top 10 most elegant uniforms, according to Forbes.

HaïtiHaïti

A Colorful Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony showcased the athletes’ traditional and modern uniforms, designed to represent each country’s identity with a modern twist. Many countries called upon local talent and renowned designers to create unique uniforms. Haïti was no exception, and its uniform was praised for its style.

Forbes ranked the Olympic Opening Ceremony uniforms based on their ability to balance style, traditional national symbols and colors, sportswear trends, and high fashion. Here is the ranking of the ten countries whose outfits have best succeeded in this bet:

1. Taiwan
2. Mongolia
3. Haiti
4. Canada
5. USA
6. Sierra Leone
7. France
8. Great Britain
9. Netherlands
10. Australia

HaïtiHaïti

Haitian Elegance and Culture in the Spotlight

The Haitian uniform, designed by the talented designer Stella Jean, particularly caught the attention. This outfit is decorated with a painting by the famous artist Philippe Dodard, adding an exceptional artistic and cultural dimension to the ensemble.

The female athletes of the Haitian delegation will wear loose skirts highlighting Dodard’s artwork, accompanied by shirts made from the traditional Haitian ’blue cotton’. The male athletes, meanwhile, will sport striped shirts, printed scarves and jackets inspired by traditional Haitian shirts.

The collaboration between Stella Jean and Philippe Dodard has resulted in outfits that capture the very essence of Haitian culture. The vibrant patterns and bright colors of the garments reflect the island’s Creole heritage, while the use of traditional artisanal techniques showcases the talent and expertise of Haitian artisans.

HaïtiHaïti

The Collaboration That Captivates the World

Two creative geniuses: Stella Jean, the rising star of international Italian-Haitian fashion, and Philippe Dodard, the virtuoso of the Haitian brush. Their collaboration? A true artistic fireworks display!

Stella Jean, the first black Italian designer to conquer the world’s catwalks, is no stranger to the world of haute couture. Her secret? An explosive cocktail of Italian know-how and Caribbean exuberance. But for the Olympics, she wanted to go further.

Enter Philippe Dodard, a true living legend of Haitian art. His works, celebrated from New York to Paris, are a vibrant hymn to Creole culture. Together, these two visionaries took on a crazy challenge: transforming the Olympic uniform into a walking work of art.

The result? Outfits that do more than shine - they tell a story. Each seam, each pattern is a tribute to Haitian artisans, their ancestral know-how and their overflowing creativity. It is the soul of Haïti that parades before the whole world, in a whirlwind of colors and emotions.

Guédés: When Haïti celebrates its ancestors with color and fervor

Every November 1st and 2nd, Haïti comes alive with the colors black and purple to celebrate the Guédés, spirits venerated in the voodoo religion, symbols of a powerful bond between the living and the dead. Fascinating, indomitable and provocative, the Guédés form a true family in the pantheon of Haitian voodoo, where they are respected for their role as spiritual guides of the deceased to the afterlife. Led by iconic figures such as the legendary Baron Samedi and his companion Grann Brigitte, the Guédés embody the paradoxes of life and death. Each Baron has a unique personality: Baron Cimetière, Baron Kriminel, and Baron La Croix are the guardians of the souls that wander on the borders of the world of the dead. Together, they form a powerful and somewhat frightening presence, but one that is deeply rooted in Haitian culture. The Guédés are not like other voodoo spirits; they demonstrate their fearlessness in a spectacular way. Accustomed to death, they are fearless and are provocative: they eat glass, raw peppers, and coat their sensitive parts with rum and pepper. These gestures mark their indifference to danger and remind us that they have already known earthly life. They are thus psychopomps – these beings who lead the souls of the dead – and act as bridges between the world of the living and that of the dead. Some Guédés, like Guédé Nibo, wear black, purple, and white clothing, each with unique characteristics. They are many and varied: Guédé Fouillé, Guédé Loraj, Papa Guédé, and many others. These are the spirits who, each year, remind Haitians of the importance of remembering and honoring the deceased. The cult of the Guédés is not only religious; it is also cultural and historical. According to tradition, their spiritual territory, or “Fètomè” – nicknamed the “Country without Hats” – is a place where the souls of ancestors reside. According to stories, the origins of this cult go back to the Abomey plateau, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Dahomey, in Africa, where death and life coexist in a form of symbiosis. This celebration in Haïti even finds echoes in ancient history. The Romans also honored their dead with the “Fête des Lémuria”, which took place in February, to ward off spirits and restore peace between the world of the living and that of the deceased. For Haitians, honoring the Guédés is about accepting death as a part of life and celebrating the invisible bonds that unite us with those who have left us. It is also a way of resisting, because life, despite its challenges, must be celebrated in all its complexity and depth.

HaïtiHaïti

A Tribute to Haitian Identity

This international recognition highlights not only the elegance of Haitian uniforms, but also the cultural and artistic richness of Haiti. Haiti’s presence among the most elegant uniforms of the 2024 Olympic Games is a tribute to the identity and heritage of this country, often overlooked for its contribution to art and fashion.

By combining tradition and modernity, Stella Jean and Philippe Dodard have created an outfit that celebrates Haitian identity while captivating the world.

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About the Author
Appolon Guy Alain

Full Stack Developer, Créatif, expérimenté, passionné des nouvelles technologies et de l’art.

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Isaac Preval

JE veux féliciter tous les pays, en particulier HAITI pour la position occupée dans ce tableau

July 27, 2024 - 09:02:21 AM
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History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.