Azede Jean - Pierre embraces French femininity for her S/S 10 collection

               Azede Jean-Pierre poses with models backstage     

When the fashion set received the invitation requesting attendance at the Azede Jean-Pierre S/S 10 Collection runway show everyone knew something incredible was in the works. As the eager crowd assembled outside The Goat Farm everyone wanted to know more about the talented young designer.

 A sophomore at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta Campus, Azede Jean-Pierre has the maturity and the talent of a fashion designer beyond her years. A true artist, Jean-Pierre sits down at Mellow Mushroom to talk about her inspiration and what makes her stick out from the crowd.

“It was my first collection debut. The purpose was to get media interest and buyer interest.”

 Jean-Pierre is handling the business of fashion much like a professional designer, she shies away from parties and clubs to work on her craft and take advantage of the opportunities in Atlanta.

“I am the geekiest person I know,” Jean-Pierre says. “I had to construct the whole collection myself it took four months. I didn’t sleep the last three days before the show. I didn’t notice that there was a huge crowd. That is what kept getting me is everyone was saying there is a huge crowd outside.” 

Even former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin attended the event and she also rallied the support of Explore Fashion, an Atlanta based online magazine, who did all the photography and videography for the show.

Models pose backstage

More than 200 people came out  in support of the young designer. Many didn’t know what to expect from this unknown Haitian girl, but what they got was a taste of genuine fashion - a mix of art, vision and craftsmanship. The Azede Jean-Pierre S/S 10 collection featured lightweight fabrics turned into to delicate pieces in a palette of white, black, grey and splashes of berry.

“I am not so worried about pleasing people with my designs, so much as it being me," Jean-Pierre explains. “I like certain designers like Balenciaga. I like using tough fabrics like polyester and certain fabrics that can be manipulated. I used a red upholstery fabric that was tough enough to hold structure and be soft,” Jean-Pierre says. “I am definitely inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier and I read Women’s Wear Daily every day.”

The result of her hard work and creativity is a 36 piece collection inspired by French couture with a touch of American ready - to -wear. The secret to her technique is mastering the art of pattern drafting and draping.

“I really love messing with patterns and drape. Even if it is a flat pattern it probably came from a drape. I love draping,” she explains. “But constructing the show was like a marriage. There were  some easy parts and some hard parts. It was like up and down.”

Jean-Pierre accomplished her mission. The first runway show increased her publicity garnering more attention from buyers in New York. Now, the ambitious fashion design student is taking on other projects.

 A piece from the Azede Jean -Pierre S/S 10 Collection  

“I definitely need PR,” she says, “I am starting a blog about being a developing designer. There are photos shoots, casting calls and run throughs. There is so much I do in one day that might benefit someone else.”

Inspiring others coming up behind her and contributing to the city of Atlanta is Jean-Pierre's main focus. When asked if she will leave and work in New York her answer is a roundabout no.

“I may work with a franchise to learn what they do and what’s good for me,” she says with a smile. “Atlanta is like comfortable,”