In a region influenced by various cultures, a new generation of designers is achieving success at home and abroad. Here are a few Caribbean designers to keep in mind.
Locals from the Caribbean Region might have embraced their European influence from centuries of multicultural settling in the islands, yet a rebellious spirit can be seen through a shared aesthetic. In Jamaica, for example, designers are drawn to colors and textures they see on the islands, but the offspring of the rebellious and daring spirit of being Jamaican, according to designer Nicole White, results in there being no color or pattern specific to Jamaican design.
The influence of different cultures in the Caribbean over the centuries has naturally impacted the architecture and design of the region, yet organizations continue to fight for the region’s heritage. In 1994, the World Heritage Committee identified the Caribbean Region as being under-represented in regards to the wealth and diversity of its natural and cultural heritage. In 2003, various groups participated in a meeting held on the wooden urban heritage in the region, initiated mainly due to the vulnerability of the historic wooden architecture remaining in cities and towns of individual islands today and the urgency of documenting and preserving this heritage. Initiatives such as the Caribbean Export Development Agency have also been working to promote a more resilient private sector of contemporary furniture design in the region; this includes interior design.
“The sector has seen tremendous growth over the years as design has become more available and accessible. When I was growing up in Jamaica, I had never heard of or met an interior designer. Now, we are visible via the annual Design Week hosted in the country and routinely interviewed by local media outlets,” interior designer Nicole White told ArchiExpo e-Magazine.
White emphasizes the importance of locally born designers and those of Caribbean descent born elsewhere as well as the significance of associations such as the Black Artists and Designers Guild. Professionals such as these sit behind the current success of the Caribbean Region in the design industry today. Despite the difficulties that still persist in some of the region’s islands, this generation of Caribbean designers continues to work hard in order to push through the challenges.
The earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010 is a prime example. Caribbean Craft, a home decor brand launched by Magalie Dresse, lost two buildings and hundreds of products during this time. Abandoning or failing the mission, however, wasn’t an option for Dresse; and it isn’t an option for her now when the country finds itself in a situation equivalent to a civil war, with gangs controlling parts of the capital’s territory.
“As I witness the struggles and hardships endured by the hardworking artists and artisans of my country, my determination to make a difference has only grown stronger,” Magalie Dresse told ArchiExpo e-Magazine. “My goal is to combine my expertise with a market-driven strategy that ensures sustainable growth and opportunities for those in my field. This heartfelt vision stems from a profound belief in the transformative power of art, the potential of our talented individuals, and the capacity for change within our communities.”
It is the will to empower the whole of the Caribbean that forms a cornerstone in the work of our selected designers.
Nicole White Captures the Essence of Style
The impeccably stylish Nicole White runs an award-winning and nationally published interior design firm. The Florida-based designer, a Jamaican native, was listed among the ten emerging designers to watch by the Black Interior Designers Network. One of her recently completed projects of this year, in a house in Pinecrest, Florday, will be featured in the July/August edition of Luxe Interiors + Design magazine.
Magalie Dresse: Passionate for Artisanal Work and Local Craftsmanship
Magalie Dresse discovered her passion for product design at the age of 11, when she first observed artisans working across the street from her school and began crafting her own custom textile and decor pieces. In 2006, she founded Caribbean Craft, fully embracing the mission of connecting Haitian talents to the rest of the world. Today, the firm has established partnerships with retailers including HomeGoods, Crate & Barrel and Anthropologie. Although Caribbean Craft has a Florida office, its headquarters remain in Haiti.
All the home décor items from Caribbean Craft’s collections are produced by local artisans, who use recycled materials like plastic and paper as seen with the Lele Papier Mache Vase, launched in 2022. With an eye-catching silhouette and a distinctive abstract black and white pattern, the papier mâché piece can be used for either dry storage or the display of ornamental flowers. This vase belongs to the Timeless collection, which features vases, bowls, items of wall art and a mirror. Also launched in 2022 and made of made of papier mâché is Ruven the Standing Rooster, part of the Balzac collection.
Dana Baugh Celebrates Jamaican Heritage Through Artistic Home Collection
In 2016, Jamaican designer Dana Baugh turned her side hustle in ceramics into a full-time career with her brand BAUGHaus Design Studio under which she produces hand-made ceramics, lighting, furniture and soft goods for the home. Baugh describes her style as “Jamaican modern” in the sense that her pieces are either a reinterpretation of traditional Jamaican culture, art or materials or the application of modern materials to the traditional. The Dancehall Queen Salt & Peppa Shakers which are being re-launched this year exemplify this. The porcelain-made items are inspired by the vibrant and energetic female “queens of the dancehall parties” of Jamaica, hence the gold lips and lashes accented with 18K gold. The designer constantly adds new items to the 2018 collection that celebrates Jamaican musical heritage and dancehall iconography; we can expect more in 2024.
