By : Grace Felix
PARIS — For many, the distance between the lush, green slopes of the Dennery Valley in Saint Lucia and the gilded halls of Les Salons Hoche in Paris is measured in thousands of miles. For Petra Baptiste, that distance was travelled through a lifetime of grit, needlework, and an unwavering commitment to her heritage.
This season, Baptiste unveiled her label, Kai Baptiste, to the world’s fashion elite. It was a presentation that served as both a debut and a reclamation—a validation of a journey that began at age 13 in a school pageant and culminated on the most prestigious runways in the world.
The Foundation of a Queen
Born in June 1981, Baptiste’s flair for the dramatic was evident early. As a student at Clendon Maison Secondary, she was a standout athlete on the netball and basketball courts, but it was the stage that truly called to her. At 15, she was crowned Miss Clendon Maison, a victory that propelled her to the national stage for Miss Yuletide.
It was during these formative years that she met her first mentor, the legendary Gregory Lord, MBE. Baptiste still recalls the transformative power of her first evening gown, crafted by Lord. “I still have that same special feeling of how that dress made me feel,” she reflects. It was a feeling she would eventually spend her life recreating for others.
From London’s Notting Hill Carnival to Paris’ Couture
In 1999, Baptiste migrated to England, where she pivoted into the world of professional beauty. After training at the Academy of Freelance Makeup in London, she leveraged the burgeoning power of social media to build a portfolio that earned her backstage access at London Fashion Week.
However, her most profound education in design came from the streets of Notting Hill. From 2001 to 2016, she worked with the Bacchanalia Band, evolving from a reveller to a costume builder. It was here she mastered the architecture of “mas”—the complex, vibrant engineering of Carnival attire.
The Parisian Transformation
In 2016, a brief return to Saint Lucia led to a serendipitous opportunity to move to Paris. Baptiste grabbed it with both hands. While qualifying as an English teacher (TEFL) to sustain her life in France, she became her own best advertisement. Her personal style—a mix of handmade garments and curated pieces—became a constant talking point on the Parisian streets.
The “joke” of designing for Paris Fashion Week became a reality last year. Inspired by the World Fashion Expo in October 2025, Baptiste secured a slot to showcase her collection at the end of November.
Kai Baptiste: A Cultural Anthem
Her collection is more than just fabric; it is a love letter to Saint Lucia. The designs weave together the azure blues of the Caribbean Sea, the intricate textures of traditional macramé, and the fierce rivalry of the island’s floral societies, La Marguerite and La Rose.
“I am a cultural promoter,” Baptiste says. “It was insistent that my culture was showcased.”
The presentation at Les Salons Hoche marks a watershed moment. As Kai Baptiste enters the international fashion discourse, Petra Baptiste remains a daughter of the Valley—proving that when roots are deep, the branches can reach across the world