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Creative Minds

Creative Mind: Stella Jean

The Italian-Haitian fashion designer highlights the artisanship of remote and dwindling societies to bring attention to their intricate handiworks

By Jacqueline Terrebonne
Woman in red and white checkered dress stands with bicycle near a harbor, sunny day backdrop.
A look from Stella Jean’s spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy of Stella Jean

With bold prints and exuberant colors that explore cultural identity, the fashion line Stella Jean invokes visions of carefree days in sunny locales. But there’s much more at play than stylish silhouettes and exotic prints. The eponymous designer, who was born to a Roman father and a Haitian mother, spreads a message of beauty beyond borders.

Through her annual mission trips, facilitated by the United Nations, Jean highlights the artisanship of remote and dwindling societies and brings attention to their intricate handiworks, then showcases their talents on the runway and other platforms. Most recently she featured the unique embroidery techniques of the Kalash people from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Woman with glasses and headscarf clasps hands, looking thoughtfully. Black and white portrait.
Designer Stella Jean. Photo: Courtesy of Stella Jean
Woman in colorful, artistic dress stands against a bright blue sky and white wall, showcasing unique embroidery details.
A look from Stella Jean’s spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy of Stella Jean
Person posing in colorful, flowy skirt and blue shirt, standing in a modern outdoor setting with blue sky.
A look from Stella Jean’s spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy of Stella Jean

Trendsetter: Jean is a powerful voice in bringing attention to Black people working in fashion, especially in Italy. In September, she, along with Edward Buchanan and Michelle Ngonmo, debuted We Are Made in Italy, the first Milan fashion week slot devoted to young Black Italian designers.

Person in a colorful dress stands on a dock in front of a large boat, with a cart full of seashells.
A look from Stella Jean’s spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy of Stella Jean
Woman in a red checkered dress standing on a white platform with boats in the background.
A look from Stella Jean’s spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy of Stella Jean

Global view: “My mission is to figure out ways to create work that allows people to use their own skills. That’s the power of fashion. It can be a cultural activity that provides significant opportunity.”

Person in a red patterned dress standing on a blue motorbike by a road near a building and the sea.
A look from Stella Jean’s spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy of Stella Jean
Person wearing a colorful robe and wide-leg jeans, standing barefoot in an outdoor setting with boats in the background.
A look from Stella Jean’s spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection. Photo: Courtesy of Stella Jean

Wearable art: In October, Jean partnered with artist Michael Armitage on two sweater designs as part of ArtColLab, which raised money for the Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute and Italy’s Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo. “I consider him a witness of this time,” she says of Armitage. “Our work is similar; we both try to apply multiculturism—me with fashion, him with art.” 

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A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2021 Spring Issue under the headline “Creative Minds.” Subscribe to the magazine.