There is a Haitian proverb that says “Dèyè mònn, gen mònn”, which translates to “behind mountains, more mountains.”
As children, we often rolled our eyes when we heard the adults say it, convinced it was too heavy, too pessimistic. But as we grew, we found ourselves repeating it to each other. Life teaches you that it isn’t a lament. It is a truth.
On the surface, the proverb reminds us that life is rarely a smooth path. Every peak is followed by another climb. For Haitians, the phrase reflects centuries of resilience, from colonial rule to earthquakes, from political upheaval to rebuilding again and again with unshakable pride. Yet this saying is not only about hardship. It is about persistence, about community, about the beauty of continuing forward even when the way is steep.
At Oursin Atelier, this proverb feels woven into every part of the journey. In careers, there are always new expectations, new projects, new milestones. In creating this brand, every design has been an experiment in courage, discipline, and collaboration. It is hard to produce in Haiti, where resources are limited and every piece requires immense coordination and care. And in the larger fashion world, one that often feels jaded and overstimulated, it is just as hard to convey meaning and intention, to ask people to pause long enough to see the story behind each object. Yet that is our work. To persist. To insist that beauty can carry weight, that objects can hold memory, that fashion can be more than passing distraction.
And in sisterhood, Dèyè mònn, gen mònn becomes a reminder that the mountains are not ours to climb alone. We carry each other, hand over hand, lifting one another when the path rises sharply.
Each step brings new trials of patience and strength. This proverb tells us there will always be another mountain waiting. But it also whispers that with every climb, we grow stronger, wiser, more deeply bound to those who walk beside us.
As our thank you cards make their way into the hands of our community, we want to share this truth with you: yes, the mountains are endless, but so is our capacity to rise.
