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1804  DESIGN  GIVES  THE  «  HAITIAN  TOUCH  »  TO  BEST  WESTERN  PREMIER  –  HAITI    

                         PORT-­‐AU-­‐PRINCE,   APRIL   4TH   2013   –   Haiti   is   now   one   of   the   35   happy   few   countries   to  welcome   a   Best   Western   Premier.   Located   in   the   heart   of   Pétionville,   its   lobby,   pool,   spa  "Oxygen",  restaurant  "Le  Michel",  conference  room  "Louverture",  common  areas  and  the  106  guestrooms   all   have   in   common   this   very   special   Haitian   touch   given   by   Pascale   Théard,  designer  of  1804  Design.  

"For  the  overall  decoration  of  the  Best  Western  Premier  Haiti,  we  wanted  both  to  work  with  international   specialists   and   to  make   it   a   showcase   of   the   rich   culture   of   Haiti.  We   quickly  identified  the  firm  Studio  11  Design  based  in  Texas  (USA)  for  the  international  aspect  and  the  local  firm  1804  Design  to  materialize  the  “Haitian  touch”.  The  choice  for  the   local  firm  came  naturally,   as,   1804   Design,   managed   by   Pascale   Théard,   was   the   best   to   interpret   with  elegance  the  Haitian  spirit",  says  Christopher  Handal,  co-­‐owner  of  the  new  luxury  hotel.      

580  crafts  and  42  decorative  artworks,  from  more  than  100  artists  and  artisans,  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  have  been  carefully  selected  and/or  conceptualized  to  reflect  the  richness  of  Haitian  art,  plus  more  than  200  original  photographs.  15  art  workshops  have  been  working  for  seven  months  on  this  project.  

1804  Design  has  worked  on  virtually  all  areas  of  the  hotel  to  give  them  a  touch  of  Haiti,  while  respecting   the   codes   and   standards   of   the   Best   Western   brand,   transmitted   by   Studio   11  Design.   In  the  lobby,  discover  beaded  tapestry  and  recycled  iron  drum  pieces,  tires  figurines  by  Eugène  André,  handcrafted  wood  pieces  from  the  70s  at  the  front  desk,  carved  stones  from  Léogane  in  the  spa,  recycled  iron  drums  masks  in  the  restaurant  and  "pop  art"  flowers  from  Croix-­‐des-­‐Bouquets   around   the   pool.   In   the   rooms,   woven   dividers   from   Jacmel   area,   and  banana   leaves   pictures.   The   Haitian   spirit   is   everywhere,   from   Saint-­‐Soleil   painting  reproductions   in  wall   covering,   to   consoles,  mirrors,   curtain   calabashes,  or  art  pieces   in   the  

rooms...  Photos  of  Haiti  are  also  present,  such  as  decorative  works  in  the  lobby  showing  the  "Multiple  faces  of  Haiti,"  but  also  as  a  discovery  of  the  country  in  the  corridors  leading  to  the  rooms  on  the  theme  "Haiti,  colors  of  the  soul".  

"I  wanted   to  valorize  our  artists,  and   show   that   they  come   from  everywhere   in   the  country:  Cul-­‐de-­‐Sac,   Petit   Goâve,   Léogane,   Jacmel,   Village   de   Noailles,   Bel-­‐air   or   Grand-­‐Rue.   I   also  wanted   to   promote   the   skills   of   our   artisans,   working   all   materials   form   tire   to   beads   and  sequins,   form   wood   or   stone   to   recycled   iron   staging   thoses   pieces   in   a   new   way   ”,   says  Théard.  

This  passionate  promoter  of  Haitian  art  and  craft  excels  at  marrying  contemporary  furniture  and  crafts,  as  well  as   local  resources.  Nearly  a  hundred  artists  and  artisans  were  solicited  to  create  the  "Haitian  touch"  at  the  Best  Western  Premier  Pétionville  -­‐  Haiti.  

1804  Design  was  actively   involved   in   the  design  of  original  works  with   the  artists.   "I  have  a  passion   for   everything   that   is   handmade.   In   France,   I   worked   in   the   luxury   sector.   What  attracted   me   was   this   handwork.   I   wanted   to   get   closer   to   artisans   and   their   ancestral  traditions”.   Pascale   Théard   was   also   given   carte   blanche   for   the   purchase   of   art,   artwork  design  and  manufacturing.  The  collaboration  with  Stacy  Elliston  and  Kellie  Sirna,  the  designers  of  Studio  11  Design,  has  been  very  rewarding.  We  brainstormed  a   lot  and  have  been  able  to  marry   our   visions,   to   find   solutions   to   the   many   challenges   ahead.   This   was   a   great  opportunity  to  work  alongside  international  hotels  design  experts  ",  she  adds.  

The   result   of   this   teamwork   is   of   a   surprising  modernity,   such   as   the   reproduction,   on  wall  covering,   of   a   Saint   Soleil   painting   magnified   3000   times   on   the   hotel   elevators.   With   the  interplay   of   materials   and   their   original   application,   the   decoration   and   ambiance   of   this  international   hotel   chain   promote   an   atmosphere   both   very   contemporary   and   “rooted   in  Haiti”,  with  a  very  authentic  showcase  of  the  diversity  of  Haitian  culture:  Haiti  at  its  best.      About  Pascale  Théard  and  1804  Design  :  Pascale  Théard,  designer,  has  studied  luxury  marketing  in  Paris  before  getting  back  to  her  home  country  Haiti,  to  create  Pascale  Théard  Créations,  her  sandals  and  luxury  leather  accessories  brand,  identified  by  voodoo  symbols  made  in  beads  and  sequins.    In  december  2011,  she  started  1804  Design,  her  design  and  decor  studio.  1804  Design  works   tightly  with   local  artisans   in   order   to   valorize   their   skills   and   improve   their   workshops.   Pascale   Théard   promotes   their   “savoir-­‐faire”  while  meeting  her  client  expectations,  whether  they  are  institutions  like  the  International  Airport  Toussaint  Louverture,   the   Presidential   Palace,   the  ministery   of   Foreign   Affairs   or   the   Prime  Minister’s   Office,   or   private  companies  like  Club  Indigo,  Villa  Créole  and  numerous  individuals.      For  further  information,  interviews  or  photos,  please  contact:  wellcom’  :  info@wellcomhaiti.com