Profile
Naika Colas is a New York–based Executive Design Strategist and founder of the eco-friendly fashion brand Jacques Louis, which creates trend-forward pieces using natural fibers, deadstock fabrics, and regenerative materials. She is also the founder of GAIA Collective, a sustainability design strategy consultancy that partners with fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands on ESG reporting, regenerative supply chains, community-driven initiatives, and circular material innovation.
Her work seeks to shift how disadvantaged communities perceive environmental sustainability, encouraging lifestyles rooted in health, equity, and climate responsibility. With over 15 years of experience in fashion design, sustainability, and branding, Naika specializes in environmental sustainability, social impact, community development, and inclusive fashion design. Her practice explores the relationship between nature and human experience, with a focus on empathy-driven design and circular production systems.
Naika previously served as Head of Sustainability at Ovation In-Store, a global retail merchandising company, where she led ESG initiatives and advanced sustainable materials strategies. She earned her MPS in Design Management from Pratt Institute and her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry + Marine Biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University - studying abroad in Dominican Republic.
Her teaching and research emphasize empathic modeling, environmentally conscious production, and inclusive design practices. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (initiated Fall 2007) and serves on the boards of Kay Tita and Impact Hub in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as well as the New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition.
Naika is a two-time recipient of Pratt Institute’s Graduate Student Engagement Fund, supporting design workshops she facilitated in Tanzania and Haiti. Her fashion design work has been featured in Essence Magazine’s 2019 Global Fashion Edition, and her thought leadership has been highlighted by NPR, Harvard University’s ReVista Magazine, and the Business of Fashion.
Currently, she is leading Sewing for Refuge, a social-impact initiative that connects refugee and immigrant women garment workers in New York City with living-wage opportunities through partnerships with small businesses and organizations committed to ethical labor practices.
Degrees Held
Master of Professional Studies, Design Management - Pratt Institute
Bachelor of Science, Biology/Chemistry, Marine Biology Minor - Fairleigh Dickinson University
Professional Affiliation
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated
Kay Tita - Governance Board Member
EducNation - Governance Board Member
NYC Fair Traide Coalition - Board Member
New York Fashion Workdforce Development Coalition - Governance Board
Recent Publications
Bridging Opportunities: Empowering Women in Tanzania's Coffee Sector Through Creative Enterprise Leadership Skills
https://www.catalystreview.net/research-in-action-2/
Little Haiti, Big Impact Solution to NYC’s Dying Garment District
https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/little-haiti-big-impact-solution-to-nycs-dying-garment-district/
How Trump tariffs will affect U.S. fashion
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5293434/how-trump-tariffs-will-affect-u-s-fashion
A New Challenge for New York Fashion https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/workplace-talent/new-york-fashion-garment-district-manufacturing-rezoning/
Performances and Appearances
July 2025, Midtown South Mixed Use Rezoning Plan - City Hall, hearing
February 2025, Greenly Summit - The Climate Suite, Panelist
September 2024, Global Fashion Agenda/CFDA - Climate Week Roundtable Responsible Education Standards for Design Schools
September 2024, Climate Week United Nations Global Compact SDG Summit - Panelist
September 2024, Haiti Tech Summit - Panelist
October 2023, MHI Conference (Fort Lauderdale) - Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition, Panelist
May 2023 NYC Fairtrade Coalition Sustainable Design and Merchanidising Forum @ Kent State University - Keynote Speaker
April 2023 Sumner High School St. Louis, Missouri - Guest Speaker
April 2023 NYC MWBE Workshop Facilitator - Custom Collaborative + NYC Garment District Alliance
March 2023 Sustainable Fashion + Business Strategy - Custom Collaborative
August 2022 TechStars Port-au-Prince Start-Up Week Sustainable Fashion + Design Strategy - Impact Hub Haiti
August 2021 TechStars Port-au-Prince Start-Up Week Sustainable Fashion + Design Strategy - Impact Hub Haiti
August 2020 My Street Labs Understanding Design Processes - Kay Tita Org.
August 2019 TechStars Port-au-Prince Start-Up Week Sustainable Fashion + Design Strategy - Impact Hub Haiti
August 2018 TechStars Port-au-Prince Start-Up Week Sustainable Fashion + Design Strategy - Impact Hub Haiti
September 2018 Guest Speaker Sustainable Fashion Design and Environmental Justice - NYC Public Library Morris Park
May 2018 Sustainable Fashion and Innovation: Tommy Hilfiger Social Innovation Challenge - Impact Hub Amsterdam
Research Interests
Gender Equality - Quality Education - Climate Action
Sustainability - People, Planet, Profit + Culture
Social Impact - Funding, Resource Allocation, Rural Income Generating Activities
Sustainable Fashion Design - Biomimicry Design - Systems Thinking - Regenerative Supply Chain Management - Social Justice
Awards And Honors
Pratt 2018' DM Sustainability Guru
2x Graduate Student Engagement Fund Awardee 2017 & 2018 - Pratt Institute
2019 IFundWomen • Caress Dreams Fund Grantee