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Stella Jean: the Italo-Haitian star who made Haïti shine at the 2024 OlympicsStella Jean
Stella Jean: the Italo-Haitian star who made Haïti shine at the 2024 Olympics
Stella Jean
  • July 27, 2024
  • | 0

Stella Jean: the Italo-Haitian star who made Haïti shine at the 2024 Olympics

Haïti made a splash on the world stage at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, captivating attention with stunning outfits. Hailed by Forbes as the third most remarkable and acclaimed by other magazines, the Haitian athletes’ uniforms surpassed those of many influential nations in fashion and design. This recognition is the result of an exceptional collaboration between visionary designer Stella Jean and internationally renowned artist Philippe Dodard.

Today, let’s dive into the world of talented stylist Stella Jean.

Haïti : Stella JeanHaïti : Stella Jean

An Exceptional Journey

Born in 1979 in Rome, Stella Jean broke barriers by becoming the first black Italian designer. She revolutionized fashion by merging Italian elegance with the exuberance of the Caribbean and Africa. Her unique and vibrant style quickly captivated the industry: in 2019, the New York Times crowned her "the most compelling designer of the new generation in Milan".

Haïti : Stella JeanHaïti : Stella Jean

The Meteoric Rise of an Icon

Stella Jean’s rise in the fashion world began in 2011 when she won 2nd place in Vogue Italia’s prestigious "Who Is On Next" competition. Two years later, she made her spectacular debut at Milan Fashion Week, invited by Giorgio Armani himself. Since then, her star has continued to shine.

Haïti : Stella JeanHaïti : Stella Jean

Prestigious Collaborations and Worldwide Recognition

Stella Jean has collaborated with the biggest names in fashion. Christian Louboutin, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London... Her bold creations seduce the most exclusive boutiques in the world, from Matches Fashion to Moda Operandi.

In April 2014, she was selected by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to exhibit several outfits in its exhibition "Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014". Although her brand is based in Rome, her creations are sold in specialty boutiques around the world, such as Matches Fashion, The Corner, Moda Operandi, Farfetch, United Arrows and Alara Lagos.

Haïti : Stella JeanHaïti : Stella Jean

A Commitment to Ethical Fashion

More than a stylist, Stella Jean is an activist for ethical fashion. She collaborates with Haitian and African artisans, preserving their ancestral traditions while propelling them onto the international stage. Her commitment to women’s empowerment and fair trade makes her a pioneer of responsible fashion.

Haïti : Stella JeanHaïti : Stella Jean

The Triumph of a Vision

Worn by icons like Rihanna and Beyoncé, Stella Jean’s creations are now conquering the Olympic world. By dressing the Haitian delegation for the 2024 Olympic Games, she is giving Haïti unprecedented global visibility.

Stella Jean embodies the transformative power of fashion. She proves that with talent, audacity and strong values, you can not only conquer the industry, but also change the world. Thanks to her, the Haitian flag is flying higher than ever at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, a symbol of a proud, creative and resolutely forward-looking nation.

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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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Haïti, a rich and impoverished country

Located in the western part of the island of Hispaniola, Haïti is a land imbued with natural, cultural and historical wealth. Unfortunately, behind the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its culture and the delicacy of its cuisine lies a complex reality marked by the debt of its independence and the persistent interference of third countries, casting a shadow over its stability. b~The Natural Beauty of Haïti~b Haïti, nicknamed the "Pearl of the Antilles", dazzles with the diversity of its landscapes. From majestic mountains and lush valleys to meandering rivers and sandy beaches, the country offers natural beauty worth celebrating. The famous Citadelle Laferrière mountains and the refreshing waterfalls of Bassin-Bleu are just a few examples of the splendor that characterizes this nation. b~A Rich and Diverse Culture~b Haïti stands out for its vibrant and diverse culture. A heritage of African, French and indigenous influence, Haïtian music, dance and art reflect a unique fusion. Colorful festivals, like Carnival, are celebrations of this cultural richness, attracting visitors from all over the world. b~Delicious Cuisine~b Haïtian cuisine, tasty and spicy, is another aspect worth celebrating. Dishes like griot, sticky rice, and the legendary joumou soup, traditionally prepared to commemorate independence, are all culinary delights that demonstrate the country’s gastronomic ingenuity. b~Heritage Treasures and Paradise Beaches~b Haïti’s heritage treasures, such as the remains of the Sans-Souci Palace and the Citadelle Laferrière, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are testimonies to the architectural grandeur of Haïti’s past. At the same time, beaches like Labadee and Jacmel offer havens of peace with crystal clear waters, attracting travelers in search of a tropical paradise. b~A Fascinating Story~b The history of Haïti is both fascinating and tragic. It was the first country in the Americas to gain its independence, in 1804, after a courageous slave revolt. However, this independence came with a heavy financial price. France demanded exorbitant compensation, thus laying the foundations for Haïti’s foreign debt. b~The Debt of Independence and Foreign Interference~b Despite these treasures, Haïti struggles with the reality of its independence debt. After gaining its freedom, the country was forced to pay France a considerable sum in compensation for losses associated with the abolition of slavery. This debt has been a major economic burden for Haïti, hindering its development. Additionally, foreign interference continues to create significant challenges. External political and economic interventions have often contributed to the country’s instability, hindering its ability to build a sustainable future for its citizens. b~In conclusion~b Haïti remains a country of multiple riches, but its challenges persist. Despite its natural beauty, rich culture and fascinating history, the nation needs enlightened international support and lasting solutions to overcome the obstacles that stand in its way. Haïti’s wealth lies not only in its enchanting landscapes, but also in the potential of its people to be resilient and prosper despite persistent challenges.

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Vertières, Fort Mazi: Beyond historical truth;

If you look up the word vertière in a French dictionary, you will not find it for fear that the world does not know this place represents the Achilles heels of the most powerful European army. What’s more, this one had just successfully won the eastern campaign. French historians of the time erased this geographical location from the radar of history because they did not want to tell the story as it is in the sense of explaining the first great humiliation of the expeditionary army French by bands of slaves who were totally ignorant in the art of waging war, much less in the handling of weapons. However, these illiterate wars routed the Napoleonic army, the most powerful at that time, using the means at hand. This expeditionary army, after having brought Europe to its knees, would experience its first rout by slaves in this geographical location, located in the Northern department of Haiti. Funny story, this city is not on the list of French words even though given its historical importance, it should be at the heart of universal history, far from putting an end to the invincibility of the undefeated army army. So as not to offend the white masters, no political leader has ever asked why vertière does not appear in any French dictionary? However, they celebrate this battle with great fanfare every November 18. What historic hypocrisy among our leaders! After Vertière many other historical places are strangled by historians in order to hide the extremes of atrocities of the French colonists on the slaves. It is in this context of historical strangulation that “Fort Mazi” is not mentioned in school history textbooks. This is located in Petit-Goave, 2nd municipal section, Arnoux locality. We came across this mega fort, during a mobile clinic entirely financed by the Ernest Junior foundation, a charitable foundation which works in the social sector, particularly in the field of art and music. According to residents , the oldest in this locality, this fort was built on at least 20 squares of earth by the settlers. It was a huge military complex divided into compartments, outposts, turtle rooms, rooms for treating colonists, a large Catholic church, and a cemetery. However, we never talk about this fort so much so that it is ignored by history teachers in the town of Petit-Goave. Certainly, the desired disappearance of this fort under the radar of history buries the atrocities, the barbarities, the most inhumane punishments of the colonists on the slaves. Looking closely at reality, everything seems true that it is the largest fort ever built during the period of colonization. Moreover, it probably seems the most fortified in relation to its importance. Remember that Vertière only exists in Haitian school history textbooks while Fort Mazi does not appear, much less in French dictionaries or history books. This explains why this fort was a secret place in which the settlers practiced crimes and atrocities that went beyond human understanding. Is it not a clear desire of historians to hide what this immense fort built on at least 20 tiles of earth really was? Discover the history of Haiti: A fascinating story to explore! : https://haitiwonderland.com/haiti/histoire/decouvrez-l-histoire-d-haiti--un-recit-fascinant-a-explorer/81

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.