Haitian-American Designer Gives Back Through Fashion
1 year ago
Dayanne Danier on her new line Bien Abyé & the Fashion for Haiti movement
Dayanne Danier stands five foot two with pearly white teeth and brown radiant skin. She may be unassuming when she walks by, but don’t let this Massachusetts College of Arts graduate fool you. Danier is a force to be reckoned with as an emerging designer and creator of Bien Abyé. Dayanne launched her first show this year for New York Fashion week at the Time Warner Center. With over 300 guests in attendance, which included realty TV show stars Sheree Whitfield of Real Housewives of Atlanta and Tami Roman of from Basketball Wives, Dayanne’s debut of Bien Abyé was a hit.
When Danier is not promoting or designing a new line for Bien Abyé, which means well dressed in Haitian Creole, she is part of a global campaign “Fashion for Haiti.” Danier has been traveling back and forth to Haiti since 2009 to lend a hand in teaching art to children and pattern drafting to seamstresses and teachers.
Loop 21 sat down with Danier as she shed some light on the challenges as a fashion newcomer, as well as diversity on the runway, and the importance of giving back.
Loop 21: What is your design inspiration behind your clothes?
Dayanne Danier: My inspiration is to design clothing that unveils a woman's sophistication and confidence with every step she takes while embracing her lifestyle. I focus on creating garments that make a woman look graceful and chic by allowing her to project her inner beauty. For [Spring Collection 2012], my collection inspiration was the Amazon Rainforest. I carried though with my brand philosophy of tailored looks that have a feminine twist and combine details like braided rope, layers of ruffle, and prints to replicate the dimensions of the rainforest. The kaleidoscope of colors represents the beautiful flowers and landscape. And the fabrications include most silk and cotton to bring out the natural elements. The collection is full of life.
Loop 21: What female celebrity would you like to dress? What about that individual makes you want to design for them?
Danier: I have to say, of course Michelle Obama and not because she is first lady. I actually wanted to dress her before she was first lady because she represents my client profile; a woman is who active in her lifestyle: her family, her job, and her community, and wants to project a positive image. On the younger side, I would say Angelina Jolie because she too represents my client profile. They are two phenomenal women.
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