By Kimberly Wallace
Designer and founder of The Hideout Clothing (THC) Sebastien Gibert found himself at the centre of criticism following the unveiling of the uniforms worn by the Trinidad & Tobago Olympic team at the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 27.
But who exactly is the 35-year-old Franco-Trinidadian designer, whose business in Paris is influenced by the multiculturalism of the Caribbean islands?
Gibert, who is also known as “Bas”, was born in France to exceptionally creative parents.
“I was born on August 31, and although I’m not big into birthdays, I think it’s cool that every year T&T has fireworks on my birthday,” he says with a laugh.
His mother, cultural entrepreneur Lorraine O’Connor has made her mark in music, film and fashion in T&T and is also a producer and promoter. His father, French film producer Jean Michel Gibert, with whom Bas shares a striking resemblance, is the owner of Caribbean Music Group and was once the world manager for Calypso Rose.
“Growing up in a family that is so diverse culturally and ethnicity-wise really worked to my advantage,” says Bas who, on the day of the interview is dressed in his streetwear and sneakers. His neck and hands are covered in tattoos that memorialise the highs and lows of his life.
“Being exposed to different people, countries and ways of life helps with the creative process.” Having inherited creative genes from both parents, it was impossible for Bas to not find an outlet to express his own artistic talents. He wasn’t alone either. His childhood friend and best mate Rashad Rodriguez was of the same line and thought. Both Bas and Rodriguez shared a few similarities; both were born abroad – Bas in France and Rodriguez in Canada, and they grew up in Trinidad. As teens, their paths diverted when Bas went to college in Miami and Rodriguez chose to study in Toronto, but they remained close. Upon returning to Trinidad they decided to get into business together and in 2012 opened a multi brand clothing store which they called The Hideout Clothing. They soon began to dabble in design and production of their own and sold simple T-shirts before producing more elaborate designs.
“We had a few hiccups when we first started; we were really confident, but things aren’t always so easy,” recalls Bas.
The best friends went to Miami with one goal – to get their merchandise in as many stores as possible. They had a minivan, a blow-up mattress and a list with the names of all the stores they planned to pitch their sale to. Every morning after freshening up in the bathroom of the nearest Planet Fitness gym, Bas and Rodriguez would hit the streets and hustle. All that came to a halt when shops closed their doors and major cities became ghost towns as countries fought to curb the rise in Covid-19 cases. However, there was one silver lining for the best friends and business partners; as more consumers shopped online, THC’s e-commerce took off. Not long after the pandemic was lifted and the world started to emerge from isolation, tragedy struck when Rodriguez passed away in 2022. But Bas remained committed to pursuing their dream. He continued designing wearable clothes that blended designer wear with the urban experience and the essence of Caribbean culture.
When an opportunity to have his own store in Paris opened up, he grabbed it, accomplishing a dream of most designers, to have their own clothes displayed in an iconic fashion capital such as Paris. The store, branded “THC”, opened for family and friends on what would have been Rashad’s 35th birthday and was officially opened to the public a month later.
As a Paris-based business owner, Bas seized other opportunities. He reached out to the T&T Olympic Committee with the idea of designing for the T&T Olympic team.
“They were a bit hesitant at first and said they had to speak with PUMA,” he says.
Although PUMA was doing the sportswear for the team, there was an opportunity opened for Bas to do the kit for the opening ceremony.
He sent a proposal to the National Olympic Committee which was accepted and he and his team got to work, financing the entire project from start to finish.
He works with a team of ten persons along with third parties and freelancers; running a business that challenges and pushes him to adapt according to changing situations. Having travelled to several places around the world, Bas is happy to begin a new chapter for himself and his business in Paris, even if he still suffers from bouts of homesickness from time to time.
Like most Parisians, he avoids the regular tourist traps and wanders to lesser known areas where there are fewer tourists and more locals ready to show the uninitiated the real Paris.
The next time you’re in Paris and want some inspiration, Bas recommends swinging by 67 Rue du Temple, Paris, the home of The Hideout Clothing (THC) where Paris and the Caribbean collide.
