‘People in Soufrière Hills’ SS24 Press Release
Devounte Williams Dyer, founder of his namesake label DAVOUNTE WILLIAMS, presents his SS24 collection in a lookbook shot by photographer and art director Hugo Volrath.

For designer Devounte Williams Dyer, a celebration of home was the focal point for his Spring Summer 2024 collection “People in Soufriére”. Dyer’s family roots begin in Montserrat; after a devastating volcano erupted on the island in 1995 - it led to a mass displacement, leading his father to move to Miami and his mother to London. Dyer was born in London and raised in New York, before moving back to London. His frequent travels between New York, London, Montserrat and Miami, from an early age, made Dyer inquisitive and gave him a global sartorial language.

Marrying unabashed sexuality with luxe fabrication, "People in Soufrière Hills" is an offering that sees Williams explore his vision of island elegance.
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"My grandfather still lives in Montserrat. Having spent my formative years between London and New York, when I journey to my family home in Montserrat, I'm inspired by how my people have rebuilt and created such beauty amidst devastation. This collection is a reflection of my culture and what modern sensuality means to me today."

Central to the collection is elevating signature pieces found on the island. Pony hair, micro shorts, long-sleeve jackets cut just above the navel, and knee-length skirts that cling to the body pay homage to the majestic horses that trot in Montserrat. A resplendent long-sleeve-body-hugging gown starts on top as silk, and the skirt becomes a lush jersey. A semi-sheer open wool shirt captures the feeling of how Williams would dress if he were partying on the island.

Crushed waxed nylon trousers shown in the lookbook are a signature design motif of Williams. The trousers [worn in the lookbook by a model with a palm tree tattoo] evoke the magic that can emerge in the wake of destruction. To create these trousers, Williams crushes the fabric and re-sews the pieces together by hand.

Devounte Williams Dyer received his BA from the London College of Fashion Cordwainers Fashion Bags and Accessories course in 2021. Having previously worked with Ib Kamara, Burberry and Mowalola as her Head of Accessories, Dyer formally launched his brand in 2021. In releasing “People in Soufriére”, Dyer sets the stage for his attitude forward, sensual designs.