Heart of Haiti is an extension of the Macy's 'Shop for A Better World' initiative born out of a partnership with Fair Winds Trading and Brand Aid Haiti. Founded on the principle of "Trade not Aid", 'The Shop for A Better World' creative team sources artists from all over Haiti to develop and sell their works in over 25 Macy's storefront locations across the U.S. and on macys.com. The proceeds earned from the sale of their art dramatically improve the lives of the artists and their families giving them the ability to afford better nutrition, education and healthcare. And the craftsmanship and technique behind these works of art, ranging from papier mache vases to hand cut metal frames & wall hangings, is truly remarkable. The collection is made entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums & local gommier wood.
This past February, a group of bloggers had the rare opportunity to travel to Haiti with Fair Winds Trading (led by founder Willa Shalit) and who had taken on the Heart of Haiti project as a labor of love. They met many of the artisans behind the HOH collection including Serge Jolimeau, a world-renowned metal artist, who also presides over the guild organization (ADAAC) that links and guides the many local artisan ateliers. Over the years, Serge has trained hundreds of young apprentices
giving them the gift of art and the ability to earn a living wage. They watched as the young men pounded, cut and shaped ornate works of art for the home out of what was once nothing but a pile of raw scrap metal. This was a theme they saw repeated over and over again in Haiti - the practice of taking a pile of nothing and turning it into something beautiful.
A random comment will be chosen to win a small item from the Heart of Haiti collection.
What comes to mind when you think of Haiti and its people?
One year later: Rebuilding & Renewing
