Lookbooks. KRÉYOL Celebrates Haitian Culture By Drawing Inspiration From Traditional Caribbean Folk Costumes.

Joelle Jean-Fontaine KREYOL Black Fashion Designers


Created by designer Joelle Jean-Fontaine, KRÉYOL is a Boston-based line that fuses classic European elements with global influences, fabrics, and construction.

For Spring 2015, the brand, which is also committed to social justice through philanthropic partnerships, draws inspiration from traditional Caribbean folk dresses.

Kreyol’s SS’15 collection, Karabela, is inspired by the traditional quadrille dress that is utilized in folk dance and traditional ceremonies in Haiti. It is usually made in a denim material, featuring intricate details, such as embroidery or hand painting.

This bespoke dress is worn by many women in the Caribbean countries. It is the folk costume of Jamaica, Dominica, St. Lucia, and Haiti. It is known by a different name in each region. In Haiti, we call it Karabela. We’ve utilized some basic design elements from this dress to inspire a collection that is fresh, young, feminine and flirty.

Shop at I AM KRÉYOL or at Nineteenth Amendment.


Joelle Jean-Fontaine KREYOL Black Fashion Designers

Joelle Jean-Fontaine KREYOL Black Fashion Designers

Joelle Jean-Fontaine KREYOL Black Fashion Designers

Joelle Jean-Fontaine KREYOL Black Fashion Designers

Joelle Jean-Fontaine KREYOL Black Fashion Designers

Joelle Jean-Fontaine KREYOL Black Fashion Designers

Joelle Jean-Fontaine KREYOL Black Fashion Designers