Lorane Rhoden: Blending fashion, digital media & style
“I want people to see Haute People as the authority on fashion — covering designer showcases, industry movements, and the art behind style. Whenever there’s a fashion-centric event, Haute People should be top of mind,” affirms Haute People’s CEO, Lorane Rhoden.
For Rhoden, Haute People is a movement, a digital fashion and lifestyle brand she has spent over a decade building. What started in 2011 as a passion project has grown into a recognised platform covering both Jamaican and international style scenes. She has covered prestigious global events like New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and Miami Swim Week, as well as major local showcases such as Style Week Jamaica, The Collection MoDA, and Caribbean Fashion Week. Now, she’s focused on cementing her brand’s presence even deeper within Jamaica’s lifestyle landscape using digital media.
Born and raised in Kingston, Rhoden was always drawn to self-expression through fashion. However, like many from her generation, she initially pursued a more traditional career path.
“I thought I wanted to be a paediatrician,” she recalls. “Back then, you were either a doctor, a lawyer, or an Indian chief — nothing in between.”
But destiny had different plans. While attending The Queen’s School, she had an eye-opening moment when a friend won an essay competition. That was when she realised writing could be a career. Years later, she discovered blogging and fell in love with the ability to merge lifestyle and storytelling.
Rhoden captivated at the Saint International Avant Garde Designer of the Year Competition 2023 in a striking ensemble by Renae Myrie (Aura Koutura).
In 2011, she launched Haute People, a platform dedicated to showcasing fashion and lifestyle content from Jamaica and beyond. It was not an easy start.
“Not many people understood digital fashion media at the time,” she admits. “I had to hustle my way into the industry, attending pop-ups, introducing myself, and proving the value of my work.”
Her persistence paid off, turning Haute People into a brand with access to global fashion events and collaborations.
Seeing the success of fashion blogger Sai De Silva solidified her belief that success in this space was possible. She studied the industry, refined her strategy, and learned how to engage her audience.
Her impact extends beyond aesthetics. “People think fashion is superficial, but I want to use it as a tool for positivity, purpose, and connection,” she says. This philosophy resonates with her audience, many of whom reach out with words of encouragement.
“The most meaningful messages come from those who tell me to keep going —that they see purpose in what I do.
As a result, she says Haute People’s tagline, ‘Where fashion meets purpose’, is a mission that’s being fulfilled as the brand continues to bridge style with meaningful engagement and inspiration.
Yet, the journey hasn’t been without challenges.
Black pleated mini dress with silver hardware from Amstoosh, gold cowboy boots from Lee’s Fifth Avenue, brown suede cowboy hat from House of Style, and handcrafted “Fan Clutch” by Sabrina Reynolds at the Mouttet Mile 2024.
“Fashion isn’t just about dressing up and attending glamorous events,” she explains. “It’s a business — networking, strategising, having the right team, and constantly evolving.”
Now, as she moves into the next phase of her career, Rhoden is focused on expanding Haute People’s reach. With the brand approaching its 14th anniversary, she is embracing new media yet again. From bite-sized TikTok videos to in-depth fashion podcasts, she is creating content that resonates with today’s audience.
“The industry has changed. People consume content differently now — through video, podcasts, and interactive media,” she notes. “I want to be consistent and adaptable across platforms like
TikTok, Instagram, and even LinkedIn.”
Looking ahead, she envisions Haute People as a powerhouse in new media —on par with E! News and Vogue — as she continues to blend fashion with purpose and innovation.
