There’s nothing like summer in the streets of New York. Those who choose to bear our trademark heat, haze and humidity, are rewarded with a large offering of street fairs that celebrate everything from your heritage to your street name. Starting off the season with Dance Africa and winding it down, quite literally, with the West Indian Day Parade on the Parkway, the street fairs are the perfect place for entrepreneurs to generate some buzz and some capital to support their creative flow. On a recent venture through the International African Arts Festival, caught up in the usual quest for that “spiritual shopping experience”, an aha moment presents itself when you find yourself face to face with Debonaire. From the crocus cloth walls and sisal rug to the hand made handbags, entering this stall is reminiscent of the experience you crave. Not only is it staffed by a wonderful crew of excited salespeople, but you also find the designer himself fitting hand made leather sandals on the feet of eager customers.

Brainchild of fashion designer Cleon Cummings, Debonaire is truly an international enterprise. Each piece of leather is conceived in a Brooklyn studio by Cummings, a native of Portmore, Jamaica, and brought to life by a leather craftsman in Trinidad. The textures and styles of leather vary from goat skin handbags to calf, and thong sandals to lace up roman style.

Although he worked as a stylist in many fashion showrooms, it was a trip to Carnival in Trinidad that would lead Cleon to creating his own personal vision. While he was walking through the marketplace networking with the many vendors there, he met up with some craftsman and noticed that their leather work was exceptional. “I am a real stickler for detail, so when I saw the level of attention they gave each piece I decided this was something I’d like to get involved with. And I really feel good about the fact that I am working with my own people.” For those interested in finding out more about Debonaire and his upcoming events, Cleon Cummings can be found via email at cdebonaire@aol.com