Hermilia Andre
My mother was a Fashion Designer and an extremely skilled Tailor. Her success in Haiti allowed her to travel to America, further her education, and begin to pursue the American dream.
My mother was an entrepreneur and business owner. But as a Haitian Woman, it was extremely difficult to be seen as anything other than a seamstress, in a time when only Men were considered Tailors...
As a child, I watched my mother closely and quickly learned to sew. It wasn’t long before I was helping my mother create many different styles of cloths. Designing, making patterns, sewing… all became my passions.
Through her example, my mother taught me the importance of working Hard, tackling obstacles, and perseverance. But as a single mother, she set her dreams aside and worked many jobs to provide for my sister and I, so that we may pursue higher education and succeed in America.
Watching my mother’s struggles, and dealing with my own as I matured, only further encouraged me to work Harder and Never give up on my dreams.
After a lifelong battle with Diabetes, my mother was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. I set my dreams aside, to be at my mother’s side, and help her in every way that I could as she tackled her largest battle.
Watching her Fight, for Three Years, unwilling to give up, only solidified my personal foundations. Even in my weakest moments, I could still see a woman I inspired to be. And I believe this stage of my life helped make me a stronger mother, wife, and follower of Christ.
Now that my mother has moved on, it’s time to pick up the reigns of my dreams and continue forward...
Some of my collections will have a signature piece.This signature piece will have varied shades of purple, to show our support in the search for a cure for pancreatic cancer.
Herlie Wibanks
I was born in the Sunshine State in December 1980 and raised in the heart of Miami. My earliest and most profound influence was my mother, Hermilia gifted dressmaker who believed deeply in a woman’s right to dress with elegance and dignity. I spent countless hours watching her create and transform garments, absorbing every stitch, every detail, every expression of artistry. By age ten, I was designing and constructing clothing for my dolls, and soon after, I began creating pieces for myself. Fashion became my first language.
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But my story is not only about creativity, it is about resilience, transformation, and a lifelong commitment to helping others. Much of my work has unfolded quietly, without applause, yet I have touched many lives simply by refusing to give up.
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I attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale to better understand the consumer’s perspective of fashion. I already knew what women were being told to wear; I wanted to understand what women truly desired. That curiosity led me into the retail industry, where I spent seven years working with Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Neiman Marcus. There, I learned a timeless truth: a woman’s desire does not change. Every woman wants to look in the mirror and feel confident—and every woman deserves that.
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In 2009, I established my company, Hermilia Yves, named in honor of my mother. What began as a small custom-design studio quickly grew into a brand known for creating and redesigning gowns, wedding dresses, and sustainable, elegant clothing for women who value modesty, comfort, and chic sophistication. Fashion is my passion, but serving my community is my calling.
My dedication to healing and personal growth led me to earn certifications as a life coach and as an instructor for the A.C.T.S. (Alcohol Chemical Treatment Series) program. I facilitated small groups such as Genesis Process and Pure Desire, served as a Christian counselor for women, and later supported larger gatherings through Celebrate Recovery. I continued this mission as a behavioral technician at Imperium Wellness, helping individuals navigate their own journeys toward healing.
My path has not been easy. I have survived sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. I have battled anger, pornography addiction, and suicidal thoughts. For years, I believed I was broken—damaged goods unworthy of life. But one day, something shifted. A voice rose within me: “Stop being the victim. Enough is enough. You need to live.”
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I sought help from a psychiatrist, but medication alone did not align with my needs. Therapy offered temporary relief, but not transformation. In 2000, after searching unsuccessfully for a Christian psychiatrist in Miami, I made a bold decision: I would study psychology myself and integrate biblical principles into my healing.
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The first phase of my recovery was understanding my triggers and learning to renew my mind. I discovered that many psychological principles mirror biblical truth. Forgiveness, for example, is central to both. Research shows that forgiveness improves mental health and reduces anxiety and depression, and scripture mentions forgiveness more than 30 times. Matthew 6:14–15 reminds us that forgiveness is essential for spiritual freedom.
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Forgiving my mother’s second husband—the man who manipulated my family and raped me—was one of the hardest acts of my life. But I realized that holding onto unforgiveness was poisoning me. I was living in a mental and emotional environment my mind could no longer bear, and that pain manifested as mental illness.
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Psychology also teaches the power of renewing the mind. Scripture echoes this in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “Take every thought captive.” Negative thoughts, left unchecked, can spiral into illness. An article from the American Psychological Association, Change Your Mind About Mental Health (2000), described how a woman named Carmen overcame panic attacks by understanding the connection between her thoughts and her anxiety—just as I did.
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Over four years, I applied both psychological and biblical principles to my healing. This journey ignited a passion to help others. I earned my life coach certification from the Life Catalyst Institute under Dr. R.L. Wyser and completed the A.C.T.S. Drug Education program, which focuses on healing from dysfunctional relationships and substance abuse. I worked alongside licensed counselors Justo Saavedra and Herbert Hughes, learning invaluable lessons from my mentors. During this time, I also attended Broward College and founded two women’s support groups: Pure Desire and Virtuous Women.
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These groups met weekly at the Pentecostals of Cooper City and became a lifeline for many. We didn’t give advice—we offered understanding. Each woman explored her subconscious, identified her triggers, and learned how past trauma shaped her present. We encouraged participants to write down the names of those who had harmed them and examine how those experiences influenced their behaviors.
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One member, Daphnee Erie, shared how the group helped her heal from an abusive marriage and abandonment, reducing her anxiety, anger, and depression while strengthening her walk with God. Another member, Karina, wrote me a heartfelt note: “I’m so glad the Lord placed us together to be sisters and grow with Him.” Tragically, Karina later died in a hit-and-run in Pompano Beach. Her memory fuels my promise to complete my studies in psychology.
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Studying at Florida International University has been both a challenge and a triumph, especially as someone with dyslexia. But it has strengthened my confidence and deepened my purpose. I am completing my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and I am committed to serving my community through both fashion and mental health—helping women dress with dignity while healing their minds and reclaiming their lives.