Azede Jean-Pierre and Shala Monroque Bring French Caribbean Flair to Paris Inline
Photo: Courtesy of Shala Monroque1/7Here we are at the Ritz after the show to have a drink to celebrate Azede with the team.
Photo: Courtesy of Shala Monroque2/7This dress to me is such a fresh take on the typical “Creole” dresses you see all around the West Indies. I think Azede has a knack for speaking to a universal audience, but also being able to pull on the heartstrings of the diaspora with something that is deeply personal.
Photo: Courtesy of Shala Monroque3/7Having a diverse cast was extremely important to Azede, and so she called on Bethann Hardison, who was instrumental in helping out, as she shares a similar vision. In the Caribbean it’s not unusual to be black with a Chinese name, or to look completely Indian and have a black mother, for example. Our stories and histories span the globe, and that’s naturally reflected in Azede’s work, not only in the clothes but in the connections that we have with people our age and beyond.
Photo: Courtesy of Shala Monroque4/7This model was 16 and fresh from Martinique, and I was teaching her how to walk with grace by placing a book on her head. But I love this shot because it makes me think of that vibrant spirit back home, colorful and joyous, which I think was a central sentiment in this collection.
Photo: Courtesy of Shala Monroque5/7A visit to Paris isn’t complete without a drink at the Ritz. Here we are with Roy Luwolt from Malone Souliers, who made some beautiful shoes for the collection, and my friend Kimhia from St. Lucia, who cut school in London to moonlight as our house model and also walked the show for Azede. This girl never cracked while burning the midnight oil the past few days.
