The 2014 A La Mode Beauty Fashion and Comedy Show

This past Saturday evening, March 29, 2014, I was fortunate enough to attend the Second Annual A La Mode Beauty Fashion and Comedy Show presented by CarnaFam and it was quite the gathering. Food, drinks, live music, stand up comedy and of course models sporting apparel from some of Haiti's finest designers. Yeah, there are fashion designers straight from Haiti, I had no idea! A few names present were Bijou Lakay, Kaltural, Murielle Creations and David Andre Collections. But lets start from the beginning.

Yours truly and the event's organizers
Djenane (left) and Tanisha (right)

What is CarnaFam? "It is a production company that makes the connection between the different genres such as arts, books, fashion, gastronomy, music, and photography. CarnaFam, a Haitian cultural organization in South Florida, is inviting the South Florida community to journey through Haiti". Through the efforts of President Tanisha Ade and Vice-President Djenane St Fleur, CarnaFam puts on events to promote Haitian culture, literature and social interaction. Alongside some of the community's favorite artists, authors, designers and leaders, CarnaFam looks to impact South Florida by highlighting the best Haiti has to offer.

La Plage/The Beach

Abaka Bay

I live in South Florida, which translates to sunshine, beautiful people, partying and BEACHES!!!! Year round, save for a few days of "winter" residents of Florida flock to the beaches in droves. This weather also draws in many caribbean native immigrants. From the Haitian point of view, Florida just makes sense! You lived on an island, a piece of land surrounded by water (in case you didn't know what an island was lol), full of beaches, sunny and tropical weather year round so where else in the U.S. should you move to? Florida is one of the few states in this fair country that resembles Caribbean weather, so one could assume the transition would be a little easier for those coming from Haiti.

But lets talk about the beaches for a moment. In Florida there are many beautiful beaches that people travel across the country...better yet the world to come see. South Beach, Daytona Beach, and Palm Beach are just a few of Florida's well known beaches. Little did you know Haiti is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches worldwide.