Bed-Stuy boutique owners sell ethical, handmade Haitian-American clothing
Posted: Updated:A clothing boutique in Bed-Stuy is run by two Haitian-Americans who combined their innate love of fashion and their desire to give back to their country.
Rony Byas and Harvey Leon launched their own brand, Byas Leon, in 2013.
The brand started off with selling button down shirts that were handmaid in Haiti.
Six years later, the two have opened a brick-and-mortar store in Bed-Stuy that sells more than just shirts.
Their brand is also made up of vests, pants and more, and they are all inspired by fashion designs of the 60s and 70s.
Byas and Leon design all of the clothing and bring the fabrics to Haiti. There, tailors make the clothing. Their goal is not to pay minimum wage but a thriving wage.
Byas and Leon say the concept came so naturally to them.
"We had an interest in apparel, and we also wanted to do things in Haiti. So, boom, we put those two things together," says Leon.
The Byas Leon store has been open in Bed-Stuy for seven months and also carries other sustainable and ethical brands next to their own.
Brooklyn Top StoriesTop StoriesMore>>
Organization boycotts Flatbush bar, saying several women were assaulted there
Organization boycotts Flatbush bar, saying several women were assaulted there
An organization is boycotting a Flatbush bar after it says several women were assaulted there.An organization is boycotting a Flatbush bar after it says several women were assaulted there.Elected officials, activists remember the lives of 4 killed in Crown Heights shooting
Elected officials, activists remember the lives of 4 killed in Crown Heights shooting
Elected officials and anti-violence activists came together Monday night to remember the four people killed in a shooting over the weekend.Elected officials and anti-violence activists came together Monday night to remember the four people killed in a shooting over the weekend.Ask the Borough President: October 2019
Ask the Borough President: October 2019
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joins News 12 for this month's Ask the Borough President.Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joins News 12 for this month's Ask the Borough President.Children, parents celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at Brooklyn Children's Museum
Children, parents celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at Brooklyn Children's Museum
New York City Schools were closed on Monday, but kids were still learning.New York City Schools were closed on Monday, but kids were still learning.Brooklyn teen among 2 killed when car plunges off overpass in Rockland
Brooklyn teen among 2 killed when car plunges off overpass in Rockland
A Brooklyn teen is dead after a car plunged off an overpass, landed on train tracks and caught on fire in Rockland County.A Brooklyn teen is dead after a car plunged off an overpass, landed on train tracks and caught on fire in Rockland County.
Brooklyn SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
Yankees in the 2019 Playoffs
Yankees in the 2019 Playoffs
New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia throws against the Houston Astros during the 10th inning in Game 2 of baseball's American League Championship Series Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Houston.
New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia throws against the Houston Astros during the 10th inning in Game 2 of baseball's American League Championship Series Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Houston.
Photos on the field of the New York Yankees in the 2019 American League Division Series vs. the Minnesota Twins.Photos on the field of the New York Yankees in the 2019 American League Division Series vs. the Minnesota Twins.Just Married in Brooklyn
Just Married in Brooklyn
News 12 Brooklyn wants to announce your wedding.
News 12 Brooklyn wants to announce your wedding. If you were married in the past 90 days, please submit your photos via Twitter or Instagram using #JustMarriedBK.
News 12 Brooklyn wants to announce your wedding. If you were married in the past 90 days, please submit your photos via Twitter or Instagram using #JustMarriedBK.
Guide: Brooklyn and Bronx Breweries
Guide: Brooklyn and Bronx Breweries
Looking to check out brewery this summer? There are many breweries across the boroughs for beer-lovers to visit.
Looking to check out brewery this summer? There are many breweries across the boroughs for beer-lovers to visit.
Brooklyn Birthday Smiles
Brooklyn Birthday Smiles
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
Aftermath of shooting that left 4 dead in Brooklyn
Aftermath of shooting that left 4 dead in Brooklyn
Gunfire broke out inside an illegal gambling club in Brooklyn early Saturday, police said, leaving four people dead, three wounded, and investigators trying to piece together what prompted the bloodshed.Gunfire broke out inside an illegal gambling club in Brooklyn early Saturday, police said, leaving four people dead, three wounded, and investigators trying to piece together what prompted the bloodshed.
