OTTAWA, May 23, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Trade Facilitation Office of Canada and BRAIDAID Project are pleased to announce the debut of a new product collection from Haiti at SIDIM in Montreal from May 24 to 26, 2012.
"Haiti" (www.nuvohaiti.com) represents an unprecedented collaboration, weaving together elements of craft production, community development and modern design.
The developing world is one of the next design frontiers, producing goods that fuse quality with creativity beyond just low cost. This year long development project produced unique regional hybrids that combine craft tradition and contemporary design process. Through the push and pull of cross cultural collaboration a new vernacular emerged - one that respects and elevates local traditions. In contrast with the familiar presentations of Haitian culture this collection presents something much more dynamic: a living breathing culture with a critical role in the global design marketplace.
The work of nine Haitian companies and communities is showcased in the Carrefour International Section at SIDIM in Montreal. Canadian designer, Patty Johnson, worked collaboratively with Ashley Design, Axelle, Caribbean Craft, Carnival Jacmel, Croix des Bouquets, Les Dix Doigts, Indepco, Intext, and, Peace Quilts to create over 50 new products ranging from home textiles through furniture and home décor products to artifacts and lighting.
The project is supported by the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada and BRANDAID Project through funding by the Canadian International Development Agency.
Cameron Brohman, Founder of BRANDAID Project, says, "The debut of this collection at SIDIM marks an historic shift in the world's perception of Haitian culture. The old and misunderstood Haiti is now recognised as the brilliant and wise genius of a design tradition with thousands of years of aesthetic experience. Haiti can finally take its place in the global pantheon of design."
Patty Johnson says, "My experience designing with these manufacturers and communities is one of the most enriching of my life. I learned, once again, that people-centred design has a middle component, living between ethnography and interface. Hand manufacturing is the reality in much of the world, and designers, sitting at their desks sending off PDFs to unknown destinations, may be a modern paradigm, but ultimately a hollow one. I would encourage designers to go and visit where their products are made, and, especially, with the people who make them."
May 24 to 26, 2012
SIDIM, Carrefour International, Place Bonaventure, Montreal, Quebec
TFO Canada
The Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFO Canada) is a not-for-profit non-government organization with the goal to reduce poverty in developing countries.
For three decades, TFO Canada's services have been available to entrepreneurs and export promotion agencies in developing and emerging economies around the globe. In 2009-10, exporters from over 70 countries used these services to strengthen their exporting knowhow. As a result, many were able to market and sell their products in Canada and other countries. Developing countries benefit from a stronger export base leading to employment growth and higher living standards. And Canada benefits too - a wider choice of innovative, quality products for importers and consumers. The net result is enhanced trade contributing to sustainable economic development. www.tfocanada.ca
BRANDAID Project Inc.
BRANDAID believes that reducing poverty is a business opportunity. Based in Canada, BRANDAID's hybrid business model includes both for-profit and non-profit streams and is designed to brand the exceptional product lines of microenterprises in the developing world and launch them in the global marketplace. BRANDAID's simple, successful model mobilizes the powerful energy of big brand marketing and applies it to small handmade economies and their products.
In 2008 and 2009, BRANDAID Project Inc. launched two microenterprise brands from distinctive communities in Haiti. The hand-forged products of Croix des Bouquets are made from recycled oil drums and showcase the exquisite work of master artisans. Carnival Jakmel is a line of hand-painted, one-of-a-kind papier mache products inspired by the prints and patterns from second-hand clothing markets. Both of these sustainable product lines were exhibited and promoted at high profile media events in Los Angeles and New York City in partnership with Vanity Fair Magazine and received endorsements from celebrities such as Diane Lane and Diane von Furstenberg.
After the earthquake in Haiti in January, 2010, BRANDAID Project created a program called Heart of Haiti with the U.S. department store chain Macy's to carry a line of Haitian home decor products.
BRANDAID Project Inc., a Canadian social enterprise, also used its non-profit arm to coordinate grants from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Richard Ivey and the Kind World Foundation, to rebuild nine artisan workshops and create an industrial shelter for the artisan associations. CARE Canada has been an active partner in developing the BRANDAID Project model and facilitating the rebuilding initiative in Jakmel as well as other capacity building artisan programs in the country. www.brandaidproject.com
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/05/23/20120523_C2016_DOC_EN_14086.pdf
For more information, photography, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Lalla Haidara
TFO Canada
[email protected]
1.613.233.3925 #22
Cameron Brohman
BRANDAID Project
[email protected]
1.416.553.8290
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