Meet Zillah Duzon-Hazel | Fashion Designer, Surface Pattern Designer and Mural Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zillah Duzon-Hazel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zillah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I grew up in a home where my parents were entrepreneurs. They ran their own catering company and I grew up helping them in their business. Every year my father would close the business for the month of July and the entire family would go on vacation and travel. The freedom that my parents had to do that made me decide that I too was going to be an entrepreneur and structure my life on my own terms.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am from a beautiful, small and unique little island called St.Maarten/ Saint Martin that is shared by the Dutch and French. All my inspiration for my art is drawn from the nature, colors, culture and lifestyle of my island and the Caribbean on a whole.

I create bold bright and colorful hand-painted prints that are then digitized and transformed into fabrics which I use to create design for my women’s clothing brand called “Jolie Duzon”. My prints and art work are also used to create murals all around my island.

What I am most proud of is that I have become a great inspiration to many of my island people. I have expanded myself and my brand beyond the boarders of my little island and have shown the generations coming up behind me that it is possible to become successful as a creative and to have impact regionally and internationally.

On this journey I have learnt that believing in the creative, God-given ideas that are inside of you is something you have to protect and embrace. There is no one else like you so be authentically and unapologetically you and lastly your gifts and talents will make a way for you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
St. Maarten / Saint Martin is considered one of the top culinary destinations in the world so places to eat would be the first stop.

Places to Eat
1. Cynthia’s talk of the town, Lolo’s bar and restaurant (Grand Case)
2. Sugar Mill Cafe (Bush Road)
3. The Captain’s Rib Shack (Simpson Bay)
4. Yevette’s Restaurant (French Quarter)
5. Cornies Beach Bar & Grill (Philipsburg)
6. SXM Crazy Beach Chairs (Philipsburg)
7. Comme Y Calla (Cole Bay)

Things to Do
1. Island Tour with Caribbean Vybzz ( +1721 5268828)
2. visit St. Maarten Museum (Philipsburg)
3. A Museum Naturalis ( Orient Bay)
4. Visit famous local Artist Ruby Bute
5. Visit Fort Louis (Marigot French Side)
6. Visit Fort Amsterdam (Great Bay)
7. Hole in the wall (Maho)
8. Nowhere Special (Simpson Bay)
9. The Strip (Simpson Bay)
10. Rainbow Cafe SXM (Grand Case
11. 978 Sanctorum (French Side)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father, William Duzon, has played a major role in who I am today. The way he operated in business, the way he manifested his ideas and visions and made his business really successful is what inspired me as a young girl. My father took his time to explain many things to me about life and business. My dad supported me in any way he could to help me achieve my dream of becoming a fashion designer and for that I am forever grateful.

My husband, Chris Hazel, is another great support to me. Before we got married I told him what my dreams were and that I would not marry him if he would hinder me from reaching my life goals. Almost 20 years married and he has kept his promise and supported me in every way he could to help me build my brand “Jolie Duzon”.

Website: https://jolieduzon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolie_duzon/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zillah-duzon-hazel-837b4965

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JolieDuzon/

Image Credits
Lario Duzanson Rickirichphotos Kairros photography Kimberly Meyers Dashaun Prince Miranda Matthew