# Azède Jean-Pierre

Azède Jean-Pierre is a Haitian-American fashion designer known for her innovative designs and contributions to the fashion industry. She is the founder of the Azède Jean-Pierre label, which has garnered international acclaim and has been showcased at prestigious fashion weeks in New York and Paris.

## Early life and education

Azède Jean-Pierre grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Jean-Pierre developed a keen interest in fashion at a young age, supported by Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who provided her with a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Jean-Pierre also designed a dress for Mayor Franklin for the Mayor's Mask Ball during her junior year at SCAD. She later attended the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris, earning a Master of Arts certificate with a specialization in Knitwear.

## Career

Launch of Azede Jean-Pierre Label
In 2012, Jean-Pierre launched her eponymous label in New York, which quickly gained recognition for its unique and innovative designs. Her collections have been featured in major publications such as Vogue, InStyle, and Elle, and have been worn by notable figures including Michelle Obama, Solange Knowles, Lady Gaga, Angie Harman Chelsea Leyland, Hannah Bronfman, Gabrielle Union and more.
* Vogue: Azede Jean-Pierre's collections have been frequently featured in Vogue, with her unique approach to knitwear gaining significant praise (Vogue, 2018).
* InStyle: InStyle magazine highlighted Azède's innovative designs, often worn by high-profile celebrities such as Michelle Obama and Solange Knowles (InStyle, 2016).
* Glamour: Glamour recognized Azède as one of the women changing the fashion industry, noting her dedication to sustainability and diversity (Glamour, 2016).
* WWD: WWD detailed Azède Jean-Pierre's creative process and her influence on modern fashion trends in a comprehensive interview (WWD, 2017).
* Forbes: Forbes included Azède in their '30 Under 30' list, highlighting her innovative designs and significant impact on the fashion industry (Forbes, 2016).
Michelle Obama has been a notable supporter of Jean-Pierre since the brand's inception. Jean-Pierre was honored to design a custom dress for Obama for the cover of Essence magazine in 2012. Additionally, she participated in Obama's Reach Higher 2020 initiative at the White House, mentoring students in product development.
Solange Knowles has been a notable supporter of Jean-Pierre since the brand’s inception. Jean-Pierre collaborated with the singer song writer on a playlist for her fashion show in 2014. Additionally, she has been spotted wearing design during her Coachella performance on to Beyonce’s Life is but a dream HBO premier.
In 2017, Jean-Pierre began providing design and creative consulting services for various brands, including Gucci, Billy Reid, Intermix, and Pyer Moss.

## Major collaborations

In 2021 Jean-Pierre collaborated with Gucci, where she designed a capsule knitwear collection. This collaboration involved working with cross-functional teams in New York and Milan and included a marketing campaign where Azède involved collaborators such as "Atlanta" series writer/director Ibra Ake, three-time Grammy winner Wyclef Jean who developed an original song, and choreographer Fatima Robinson. The campaign featured top models Alton Mason and Ebony Riley and supported the charity Core Response, reflecting the philanthropic tendencies of both Jean-Pierre and Gucci.

## Philanthropy and Mentorship

Jean-Pierre has been actively involved in philanthropic efforts, notably participating in Michelle Obama's Reach Higher initiative in 2020, where she mentored students in product development. Her collaboration with Gucci include charitable components, such as donations to organizations supporting underrepresented communities. She often takes trips to Haiti to work with and tour with native artisans as inspiration and to support with creative project developments -as highlighted in Vogue.

## Awards and recognition

Jean-Pierre's work has earned her several prestigious accolades:
* Forbes 30 Under 30, Class of 2016
* White House Reach Higher Educational Workshop Mentor, 2020
* NBAF Designer Extraordinaire Award, 2015
* Harlem Fashion Row Design Icon Award
* Glamour Women Changing the Future of Fashion
* Style.com "Next Big Thing" 2015
* National Black Art Festival's 2012 M. Jack Anderson Emerging Talent Award