Fashion has always been more than fabric stitched into garments; it is a story, an identity, and innovation woven together. Few designers embody this truth more fully than Berny Martin, the Haitian-American visionary behind LeCatou and founder of Midwest Fashion Week. With designs that blend bold creativity, impeccable tailoring, and global inspiration, Martin has carved a unique space in the fashion world, creating collections for both women and men that celebrate individuality. 
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Martin’s path to fashion was anything but linear. He initially studied computer engineering, a field that demanded precision and problem-solving skills he would later translate seamlessly into the technical discipline of tailoring. Drawn to style and aesthetics, Martin transitioned from engineering into design, determined to redefine what it meant to create clothing in America’s heartland.
By launching LeCatou, a brand rooted in craftsmanship and self-expression, and establishing Midwest Fashion Week, Martin challenged the idea that high fashion must be confined to New York, Paris, or Milan. Instead, he positioned the Midwest as a hub of creativity, giving designers and clients outside the traditional fashion capitals a platform to shine.
What sets Martin apart is his ability to design fluidly across gender. For women, his collections emphasize elegance and boldness, figure-flattering silhouettes, vibrant textures, and details that radiate sophistication. For men, he elevates traditional tailoring with expressive flourishes: unexpected colors, textured fabrics, and cuts that move beyond mere functionality into artistry.
This willingness to blur boundaries challenges the old rules of fashion. Martin doesn’t simply design clothes; he designs confidence. His pieces invite both women and men to embrace self-expression unapologetically, redefining our perspective on gender in fashion.
Martin’s creativity is rooted in his observant eye. Whether walking through a marketplace abroad, watching the rhythm of a busy street, or even repurposing newspapers into patterns during a blackout in Zimbabwe, he finds inspiration in both extraordinary and ordinary moments. His ability to transform daily life into wearable art reflects a philosophy that fashion should not be about following trends, but about telling personal stories.
“LeCatou,” he explains, “is not about conforming to passing fashion. It’s about creating an authentic voice through style.”
At the heart of Martin’s innovation is a commitment to craftsmanship. As a custom tailor, he designs with precision, ensuring each piece reflects not just a vision but also the unique needs of the wearer—this blend of artistry and technical skill results in garments that are as practical as they are breathtaking.
For Martin, tailoring is not merely a trade; it is a dialogue between designer and client, fabric and body, art and function.
Through Midwest Fashion Week, Martin expanded his influence beyond his own collections. The event has become a stage for emerging designers, models, and stylists, bringing visibility to creatives who might otherwise remain unseen in the global fashion landscape. In doing so, he has proven that innovation is not tied to geography but to imagination and courage.
Martin’s journey also resonates with immigrant and multicultural communities, as his Haitian heritage and international travels continually infuse his work with diverse perspectives. His career is proof that fashion, at its best, transcends borders and unites people through shared aesthetics and values.
As fashion evolves in an era increasingly focused on inclusivity and sustainability, Berny Martin stands poised to continue shaping the conversation. His dedication to authenticity and boundary-breaking design ensures that his collections will remain both timely and timeless.
In the end, Martin’s legacy is not only in the garments he creates, but also in the doors he opens for designers, clients, and communities often overlooked by mainstream fashion. He shows us that clothing can be more than style; it can be a statement of resilience, innovation, and identity.
Photo Credits by Berny Martin
