We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Andre a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
David , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Since I was a little kid, I knew that one day I would become someone known, but I didn’t know in what career. I grew up in a family where mostly everyone from my parents. Aunts, etc…. were in the business of selling clothes through their stores. Fashion played a huge part in my life. I have to say also, that I had an interest in everything artistic. After my classical studies, I made up my mind that I was going to study fashion and to launch my clothing brand. After 25 years in the fashion business, I have realized that it is very important to have a purpose for yourself, to know where you from and where you want to go? Despite the ups and downs of life, I still hanging to my passion, determination to succussed to the top by working hard, learning from my mistakes, open to the world that is constantly changing, listening to critics, positive or negative.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My company is in the business of fashion for 25 years. I study fashion design in Haiti, Paris, Trinidad & Tobago, I create for men and women. I have traveled to showcase my collection during fashion week in the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Miami, Berlin, Ecuador, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Atlanta, Los Angeles, etc. my work has been published in many local and international newspapers and magazines. I enjoyed creating and to make my clientele happy when they are wearing one of my creations. This is my biggest reward. As I was born in Haiti and grew up in that beautiful tropical weather that inspired me to create a second line Sea, Sex, Sun by David André collection in 2004 “A true upscale resort line”, this line is unisex, made out of cotton and linen fabric, trendy for a national and international clientele with a passion for holidays in exotic locations around the world and especially in Haiti, from Côte des Arcadins , Jacmel, Port- Salut , Anse d’Azur, Labadie to Miami Beach, Cancun , Negril, Saint Tropez , Biarritz , Ibiza. Our clothes are made of soft cotton, cotton voile, linen, flax, chiffon, etc. For your comfort, ease and elegance to meet summer climates. Our line can be easily brought to the beach and out of the beach by walking through the city for shopping or sipping a cocktail in the evening, to party in paradise. The readers can check out my website: www.davidandrecollection.com to get to know me better and discover my work.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Through my career I have used three qualities:
1- Passion
Whatever the field you would choose to work and to make a living, it is important to be passionate about your work and give the best of yourself. When you work with passion, people can see it through the final product. When you are passionate about your work, you are devoted to learn more every day, to push your creative limits and progress.
2-Determination
It’s crucial to be firm to your choice in life and to succeed. determination elevate us to live life to the fullest and give the best of our potentials.
3-Discipline
I always believe in this life, if you want people to respect you, you have to practice self-respect and discipline. I practice that quality almost every day as a fashion designer. the respect of deadline delivery, the timeframe to work on a project and to move to the next one. Keeping yourself motivated enough to produce and letting go of the final result. As you grow in your entrepreneur journey, discipline can take you on new shapes of success.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The biggest gifts ever that my parents gave me is to work hard every day for what I want to have in this life. To stay away from easy money transaction, to pray and to respect others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.davidandrecollection.com
- Instagram: davidandrecollection
- Facebook: davidandre
- Linkedin: davidandrecollection
- Twitter: davidandrecollection
Image Credits
photo 1 and 2: Taken at Philly Fashion Week ( 2020 ) / unknown photograph
Photo 3: by Gaelle Sejour
Photo 4: by Reginald Georges
Photo 5: by Hugue Robert Marsan
Photo 6: by Gaelle Sejour
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
