Haitian designer Garvenchy Nicolas debuts Cacos Collection at New York Fashion Week
Vinshēk's fourth collection honours the Haitian fighters who resisted the US occupation of Haiti that began in 1915.
NEW YORK, United States. Brooklyn-based luxury fashion house Vinshēk launched its Cacos Collection at New York Fashion Week on September 14, honouring the Haitian resistance fighters who opposed the United States occupation of Haiti.
The US invaded Haiti in July 1915 and occupied the country until 1934. The occupation brought racial segregation, press censorship and forced labour, and led to the Cacos rebellion of 1919 to 1920.
The Cacos took their name from a bird with red feathers. Like the bird, the fighters moved quietly through the forest and struck unexpectedly. The collection was also inspired by a documentary, The Forgotten Occupation, which explores the period through archival research and historians.
The clothing reflects the colours of the bird and the mountains of Haiti where the Cacos planned their guerrilla tactics. It is the brand's fourth collection.
"Still deeply connected to Haitian identity"
"What stood out to me most was that the Cacos weren't simply fighting an occupation, they were fighting to protect their land, their dignity, and their right to define themselves," said designer Garvenchy Nicolas. "That idea is still deeply connected to Haitian identity today."
Nicolas, who was born in Cap-Haïtien and moved to the United States at the age of 12, founded Vinshēk in 2020 and is its creative director. He said he travelled to Haiti to bring the collection to life.
"Being in Haiti made the story feel less like history and more like something that is still alive," he said. "It also reminded me that this story had to be told with Haitian people at the centre of it."
Runway at the Arches
The show was held at the Arches event venue in Brooklyn and curated by Atelier Artist creative director Alexander Ciceron and co-founder Franck Godefroy. Sponsors included Haiti Cultural Exchange, Atelier Artist, Rogers Burgers and Rebèl.
Guests included New York City Council Member Rita C. Joseph, who presented Nicolas with a citation acknowledging his contribution to the community, Brooklyn district leader Josue Pierre and Stephanie Delia, executive director of Little Haiti BK Inc.
Vinshēk describes itself as dedicated to elevating Haiti's narrative through fashion, turning the country's forgotten histories into wearable art.
