Azède Jean-Pierre is a Haitian-American[1] fashion designer known for her innovative designs and contributions to the fashion industry. She is the founder of the Azède Jean-Pierre label, which has garnered international acclaim and has been showcased at prestigious fashion weeks in New York and Paris.
Early life and education
editAzède Jean-Pierre grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Jean-Pierre developed a keen interest in fashion at a young age, supported by Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who provided her with a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Jean-Pierre also designed a dress for Mayor Franklin for the Mayor's Mask Ball during her junior year at SCAD. She later attended the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris, earning a Master of Arts certificate with a specialization in Knitwear.
Career
editLaunch of Azede Jean-Pierre Label
In 2012, Jean-Pierre launched her eponymous label in New York,[2] which quickly gained recognition for its unique and innovative designs. Her collections have been featured in major publications such as Vogue, InStyle, and Elle, and have been worn by notable figures including Michelle Obama, Solange Knowles, Lady Gaga, Angie Harman Chelsea Leyland, Hannah Bronfman, Gabrielle Union and more.
- Vogue: Azede Jean-Pierre's collections have been frequently featured in Vogue, with her unique approach to knitwear gaining significant praise (Vogue, 2018).[3]
- InStyle: InStyle magazine highlighted Azède's innovative designs, often worn by high-profile celebrities such as Michelle Obama and Solange Knowles (InStyle, 2016).[4]
- Glamour: Glamour recognized Azède as one of the women changing the fashion industry, noting her dedication to sustainability and diversity (Glamour, 2016).[5]
- WWD: WWD detailed Azède Jean-Pierre's creative process and her influence on modern fashion trends in a comprehensive interview (WWD, 2017).[6]
- Forbes: Forbes included Azède in their '30 Under 30' list, highlighting her innovative designs and significant impact on the fashion industry (Forbes, 2016).[7]
Michelle Obama has been a notable supporter of Jean-Pierre since the brand's inception. Jean-Pierre was honored to design a custom dress for Obama for the cover of Essence magazine in 2012.[8] Additionally, she participated in Obama's Reach Higher 2020 initiative at the White House,[9] mentoring students in product development.[10]
Solange Knowles has been a notable supporter of Jean-Pierre since the brand’s inception. Jean-Pierre collaborated with the singer song writer on a playlist[11] for her fashion show in 2014.[12] Additionally, she has been spotted wearing design during her Coachella performance[13] on to Beyonce’s Life is but a dream HBO premier.[14]
In 2017, Jean-Pierre began providing design and creative consulting services for various brands, including Gucci, Billy Reid, Intermix, and Pyer Moss.
Major collaborations
edit
In 2021 Jean-Pierre collaborated with Gucci, where she designed a capsule knitwear collection.[15] This collaboration involved working with cross-functional teams in New York and Milan and included a marketing campaign where Azède involved collaborators such as "Atlanta" series writer/director Ibra Ake, three-time Grammy winner Wyclef Jean who developed an original song, and choreographer Fatima Robinson. The campaign featured top models Alton Mason and Ebony Riley and supported the charity Core Response, reflecting the philanthropic tendencies of both Jean-Pierre and Gucci.
Philanthropy and Mentorship
editJean-Pierre has been actively involved in philanthropic efforts, notably participating in Michelle Obama's Reach Higher initiative in 2020, where she mentored students in product development. Her collaboration with Gucci include charitable components, such as donations to organizations supporting underrepresented communities. She often takes trips to Haiti to work with and tour with native artisans as inspiration and to support with creative project developments -as highlighted in Vogue.[16]
Awards and recognition
editJean-Pierre's work has earned her several prestigious accolades:
- Forbes 30 Under 30, Class of 2016[2]
- White House Reach Higher Educational Workshop Mentor, 2020[10]
- NBAF Designer Extraordinaire Award, 2015
- Harlem Fashion Row Design Icon Award[17]
- Glamour Women Changing the Future of Fashion[5]
- Style.com "Next Big Thing" 2015[4]
- National Black Art Festival's 2012 M. Jack Anderson Emerging Talent Award[18]
References
edit- ^ Sternlicht, Alexandra, ed. (31 July 2018). "Haitian-American Designer-Philanthropist: How Azede Jean-Pierre Succeeds Through Hybridization". Forbes. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ a b Staff (ed.). "2016 30 Under 30: Art & Style". Forbes. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ Weiss, Zachary (2021-09-09). "Gucci Joins Forces with Azède Jean-Pierre to Debut "Azede Powered by Gucci"". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ a b "Azede Jean-Pierre". Nneya Richards. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ a b Marshall, Alexandra (2014-02-14). "Six female designers who are changing the future of fashion". Glamour. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Wynne, Alex (2016-09-28). "Azede Jean-Pierre RTW Spring 2017". WWD. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Azede Jean-Pierre, 27 - 2016-10-12 - 2016 30 Under 30: Art & Style". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Vaughn, Kenya, ed. (12 November 2015). "Saint Louis Fashion Week's extreme makeover". St. Louis American. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ Carlos, Marjon (2015-12-21). "What Does a Breakout Fashion Designer Wear to the White House Holiday Party?". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ a b "Michelle Obama Leads a Fashion Workshop at the White House". Harper's BAZAAR. 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Solange Curates Soundtrack to Azede Jean-Pierre Runway Show". Essence. 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Steal Solange Knowles' Amazing Playlist From the Azede Jean-Pierre Runway Show". ELLE. 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Kallon, Catherine (2014-04-21). "Solange Knowles In Azede Jean-Pierre - Coachella Music Festival 2014". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "PHOTOS: Solange Knowles Takes A Page Out Of Lena Dunham's Style Book". HuffPost. 2013-02-13. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Fequiere, Roxanne (2021-09-08). "The Return of Azède Jean-Pierre Is Powered by Gucci". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Carlos, Marjon (2017-03-03). "Designer Azede Jean-Pierre Shares Her Photo Diary From an Artisan Tour of Her Native Haiti". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Tauer, Kristen (2015-09-12). "Harlem Fashion Row Hosts Style Awards and Spring 2016 Runway Show". WWD. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Pins, Safety (2011-09-02). "unripe design: azede jean-pierre". AFROPUNK. Retrieved 2024-08-07.