Hadascha Brutus always dreamed of becoming an attorney. But even as a little girl, she was smitten by fashion. She loved dressing up her Barbie dolls. She would scribble little fashion doodles on her homework—a special touch her teachers didn’t find too amusing.
For practically every special project assignment she had in school, she always found a way to incorporate fashion here and there—somehow! And when she was dressing for school, she got supercreative with pieces. Somehow, fashion had made it into the innermost coils of her DNA, without her realizing it.
Now, the Massachusetts-born fashion diva is the mistress of ceremonies behind her own fashion line, aptly called Hadascha. From Las Vegas Fashion Week to Miami Fashion Week, Hadascha’s presence is impossible to overlook. The pieces are flashy, without being overly flamboyant. They are made for the fashionable girl, who loves to stand out and appear to be at the height of sophistication.
Right: Fashion designer Hadascha Brutus wearing her own designs.
Growing up, did you feel comfortable with a name like Hadascha, which is by no means common.
I was picked on for my name, when I was younger. But as I grew older, I saw a positive reaction to my name in high school, college, and work. I love how my name starts a conversation, but by high school I loved my name. It was different.
But I bet you are grateful that you didn’t have to go too far for a name for your collection. Did you think of other possibilities or was Hadascha the one and only possibility.
I did play on the idea of a different name, besides my birth name. The funny thing is, people already think I made up my name “Hadascha” for my brand. So I am happy that my family picked out a name for me that is strange yet timeless for a name of a brand, as if they knew what career path I was about to get into.
You obviously design with your fans in mind. Where else do you find inspirations for your design?
Every collection has a fictional story behind it—either a love story or an empowering story. I don’t know how not to design without my consumers in mind. Every collection is personal; my collection is a gift from me to my future clientele. I want the women to look sexy and classy on vacation—to have fun in a Hadascha garment. I look at iconic ladies that look amazing whether on stage, in a movie, in a music video, or a type of a lady a song describes. I write a story around that and place her in beautiful countries around the world. From there, I want a clientele to make that story her own story and experience.
Is there a piece in your collection that you think of as your favorite?
Everything I design is something I would want to wear: the best fabric, and a gorgeous silhouette. I need to love it, feel it, and make it fabulous for anyone’s closet and luggage. I can’t say that I have one favorite. I love them all—or else you wouldn’t create it.
Who was the best dressed person you knew when you were little?
My mother and her sisters have impeccable taste—then and now. My mother wears whatever looks good for her body type and color; it’s not about what is trend, it’s about what looks good on her. For her and her sisters it’s about style; they could care less about labels. It just so happens they love quality, so their style is a bit expensive, but at a great price. I steal my mother’s clothing that she still has from the 1980s. I mean great quality. She buys timeless pieces. You would never know the era—and all you know is that it looks great.
Do you consider the 1980s as the best fashion decade ever?
I consider the 1960s the best fashion era: fun and flirtatious.
[Left] Fashion Designer Hadascha Brutus poses to the right of Krista White, one of her models at Las Vegas Fashion Week.
What’s the one color you can’t function without?
Well, it’s not a color; it’s a print. I can’t live without animal print. I love all colors that look good on me, but I love gold, white and black.
Between shows, fittings, material selection, and coordinating photo shoots, is it hard to find time for yourself?
I have fun with what I do, though it is very hard and a struggle—but it’s beautiful. I have time for myself on Sabbath morning at church—praising God and every day with my devotions. I’m always with my family; there is no need for reality TV; there’s always excitement in my household. If I travel, it’s for a reason and I try my best to sneak away and take pictures of my surroundings that inspire me for a collection. So, work is always on my mind.
How should aspiring fashion designers prepare themselves for a career in the field?
In the words of my grandfather, “Persevere, persevere, and when you want to give up, persevere”. Prepare mentally and emotionally for a beautiful struggling roller coaster. But it’s your ride. So, through the tears, enjoy it and be thankful for whatever support you have around you.
Is the fashion industry really the way it is portrayed in the movies and on TV shows?
It depends. Everyone sees a fabulous fashion show, but backstage is crazy. Movies and television show a beautiful side of fashion, which is true, but for designers it’s very hard work and [it] takes most of your time.
Have your parents given you their stamp of approval?
I’m so thankful to have Haitian parents who want to see me succeed—[who] want to see my dreams and hard work pay off. I wouldn’t be where I am today if they didn’t allow me to think, dream and do. For them, as long as they see action, I can be anything and do anything I want to do as long as I work hard.
When was the last time you went to Haiti?
The last time I went to Haiti was in 2010. It was beautiful and magical. I wish they showed more of those parts on television. Haiti is beautiful with beautiful people. I’m so proud to be a Haitian woman.
What qualities do you think are a must for a fashion designer to have?
Ambition, drive, passion, focus, and Love for what they do. Everything else falls in line.
Hadascha is popping. Where do you hope to take the brand in the future?
I hope to take the brand Hadascha internationally, and place my garments in luxurious resorts, cruises, yachts and boutiques; we’ll see what God has in store.
[Vegas Fashion Week photos by Andrew Kirshner of Las Vegas Pro; others courtesy of Hadasha]
And see what’s in store for the moment by visiting Hadascha here and connect with the line on FACEBOOK.
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