Image on the Right: “Imaginary City (Jacmel)” by Préfète Duffaut

African and Afro-diasporan culture and art have always played a major part in the creations of Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean. Jean draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including artworks and fabrics from West Africa and the Caribbean.

For SS17, Stella Jean created prints inspired by the work of Haitian painter Préfète Duffaut (January 1, 1923 – October 6, 2012). Duffaut’s paintings often featured seaside scenes, winding roads, boats, and crowds — based on actual cities in Haiti, mixed with fantastical elements. Voodoo and African indigenous religions are also recurrent themes in his works.

Préfète Duffaut, “Port of Jacmel”

Préfète Duffaut,”Ville Imaginaire”