Haiti Arts – Born in Port-au-Prince and shaped by a lineage of skilled artisans, Phelicia Dell emerged from a world where craft was not ornamental but essential. In an environment defined by patience, precision, and pride, she learned early that design was more than aesthetics; it was an inheritance. Long before her name appeared on international runways, those closest to her recognized an uncommon gift: a creative instinct driven by purpose rather than trend.
That purpose took form in 2006 with the launch of VèVè Collections, a fashion house rooted in Haiti’s spiritual iconography, Afro-Caribbean philosophy, and ancestral rhythm. Dell’s debut, 25 intricately beaded cocktail gowns, was not simply a first collection; it was a declaration. The garments fused refinement with remembrance, presenting elegance that refused to detach itself from identity. Each bead, carefully placed, functioned as a unit of language, communicating history through form.
Dell’s work consistently challenges the notion of fashion as surface-level expression. Her creations act as vessels, objects that carry meaning across time. Now synonymous with her name, her handbags are sculptural and architectural, marked by striking silhouettes, sharp craftsmanship, and symbolic intent. Coveted worldwide, they are prized not only for their beauty but also for narrative depth. Ownership becomes participation in a story larger than the individual.
Global recognition followed, yet never at the expense of her cultural grounding. In 2009, Diane von Furstenberg named Dell the greatest rising handbag designer, a moment that signaled her arrival on the international stage. Honors from Vital Voices and Women in Democracy soon followed, acknowledging her leadership and cultural influence. The Daily Beast later included her among 150 world-shapers transforming creative industries worldwide. From Miami to New York, Paris to London, Montreal to stages throughout the Caribbean, Dell’s designs have commanded attention, earning distinctions such as Master Designer at Caribbean Fashion Week and recognition as one of Haiti’s 50 most inspiring women.
Still, her most enduring impact may lie beyond fashion itself.
Motivated by a commitment to future generations, Dell founded Men Pou Demen, an arts-based educational initiative that empowers children through creativity, cultural pride, and self-expression. In communities where opportunities are often limited, the program reframes art as a pathway, using design to support healing, confidence-building, and identity formation. For Dell, creativity is not a luxury; it is infrastructure.
Her influence has also been acknowledged at the civic level. December 7 was officially designated “Phelicia Dell Day” in Miami, recognizing her contributions to art, community development, and cultural diplomacy. Today, VèVè Collections stands among Haiti’s most sustainable and internationally respected fashion enterprises, demonstrating that ethical practice and global relevance can go hand in hand.
Dell’s most recent body of work, Koleksyon Rit Zaka, deepens her ongoing dialogue between past and present. Drawing inspiration from agricultural cycles, spiritual equilibrium, and ancestral stewardship, the collection centers on resilience and renewal. It is fashion conceived as invocation, timeless pieces honoring labor, land, and lineage.
In the summer of 2026, Dell’s work will be featured at the Center of Art of the Hamptons, where it will be presented not merely as fashion but as a cultural record. The exhibition will showcase garments and accessories as living archives, expressions of memory and ritual articulated through silk, beadwork, leather, and form.
From Port-au-Prince to the global stage, Phelicia Dell stands as more than a designer. She is a cultural ambassador and visual historian whose work affirms that beauty carries memory, and that fashion, when anchored in truth, becomes enduring art. As her creations take their place in one of the Hamptons’ premier art institutions, they extend an invitation: to witness, to reflect, and to recognize that Haitian excellence has long been present, fully formed, and worthy of honor.
By the HMI Magazine Staff
