Overview:
Fashion Up Haiti held the second edition of its signature event called “Umbrella Fashion Show” at Gwòg Bar Restaurant in Cap-Haïtien on April 12. The fashion show featured four different collections of folkloric clothes, party attires, suits and more.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Under the glow of phone flashes and the hum of excited cheers, twenty-four Haitian models transformed Gwòg Bar Restaurant into a celebration of creativity, resilience, and style on April 12. The second edition of the Umbrella Fashion Show wasn’t just about showcasing dresses or suits—it was about changing how Haiti sees its models and embracing a growing fashion scene.
Through folkloric designs, bold colors, and vibrant textures, designers and models brought the crowd to its feet, proving that Haiti’s fashion scene is not just still here but finding ways to constantly redefine itself.
Organized by Fashion Up Haiti, the Umbrella Fashion Show culminated in memorable final walks for each of its four clothing collections, but the most striking moment occurred when a model showcased a long skirt adorned with empty Rhum Barbancourt bottles, to-go containers, plastic bottles and imitation weapons. This design by Ilsaint Retzney used fashion to represent Haiti through an often-overlooked yet increasingly significant aspect of its culture.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Dialine Belony, expressed her joy as the models departed, emphasizing her commitment to elevating the perception of models in their society. Belony, a former model herself, affirmed her belief in their talent and dedication, especially considering the challenges of weather delays and stress that nearly prevented the signature event from taking place.
“There’s a joy spilling out of me,” Belony said as models picked up their bags and exited the waiting room after the show.
“Because they really take models for granted in our society but I’m participating in helping models have another image in our society,” the soft-spoken leader and former model added. “I always believe in the models, I believe in their talent. They gave their all despite the weather and being stressed out.”
The second edition of the fashion show, with the first having been in 2022, commenced around 7:00 p.m., a three-hour delay due to heavy rain, and attracted approximately 50 attendees. The event featured collections from Ti Chris High Fashion House, Belo-Lux High Fashion, and Zig Zag Creation.
Founded in 2022, Fashion Up Haiti focuses on empowerment initiatives, including model recruitment and training, as well as organizing extravagant events such as photoshoots and fashion shows in Cap-Haïtien.
Below are images and videos from the Umbrella Fashion Show.
