We had earlier named Senegal as one of the rapidly emerging fashion hubs in Africa, with its influence extending to the global stage. Our assessment has proven accurate, thanks to the impressive work of Senegalese brands and designers within the fashion industry. While Senegal might not be the first place that comes to mind in terms of fashion, here at Fashion Police Nigeria, we believe it’s essential to shed light on its burgeoning fashion industry.
Dakar Fashion Week, in particular, has paved the way for exciting collaborations between contemporary African fashion and its Western counterpart. At the core of this creative fusion lies a group of fashion brands diligently working to elevate their nation’s reputation. Ahead are 7 distinct Senegalese fashion brands redefining the concept of African fashion. You may not know that they exist, but we do!
Tongoro Studio
Established in the spring of 2016 by Sarah Diouf, Tongoro is a distinctive African label and Senegalese fashion brand that takes immense pride in its 100% African origin, with designs and production based in Dakar, Senegal. At the core of its mission, Tongoro aspires to nurture economic and social development among skilled artisans in Western Africa while championing sustainable fashion approaches like ethically sourcing materials from Africa itself.
Tongoro has also garnered international acclaim since its inception, counting influential figures like Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Alicia Keys, Iman, Burna Boy, and more among its supporters. Also, their inclusion in Fast Company’s esteemed list of the 50 Most Innovative Companies for 2020 speaks to their commitment to pushing boundaries and enhancing positive change in the fashion industry.
Algueye Dakar
Algueye Dakar, a Senegalese fashion brand, has gained recognition for its fusion of vibrant colors and African cultural fashion materials. Established by Abdou Lahad Gueye in 2012, Algueye Dakar embodies the essence of intertwining Senegalese narratives and heritage with refined tailoring techniques, resulting in captivating modernist silhouettes.
The Spring/Summer 2023 showcase was a testament to their distinctive style, featuring a striking presentation of lively hues and timeless chic elements that left a lasting impression. The collection, consistent with the brand’s signature creations, showcased wide-legged, color-blocked trousers, whimsical boubous, opulent skirts, and hemlines that truly stood out. The abundance of rich and vibrant colors was a sight to behold, unlike anything seen before.
Mokodu Fall
Mokodu Fall was established by Pape Macodou Fall, a talented Senegalese artist and fashion designer. Specializing in figurative and portrait painting, Mokodu’s work pays homage to those who have made significant contributions to African culture, global peace, and urban lifestyles. What sets this Senegalese fashion brand apart is its unique approach to painting on clothing items such as jackets, dresses, and pants, adding a distinctive dimension to his artistry.
Mokodu’s art has graced exhibitions worldwide, including prominent showcases like the Paris African Art Fair in October 2015 (France), the Biennial of Contemporary Art and Culture in Rome (Italy), and the Dak’art Dakar Biennial in May 2016 (Senegal).
Despite his playful and engaging artistic style, Modoku’s achievements through his creative brand’s approach to fashion are considered by many as a departure from conventional sophisticated artistry.
Selly Raby Kane
Selly Raby Kane, a creative Senegalese fashion designer, unveiled her eponymous brand, SRK, in 2012, where she passionately connects the dots between fashion, African heritage, and technology. Since her debut on the international stage in the early 2010s, Selly Raby Kane has garnered a devoted following. She serves as a prominent exemplar of the fresh generation of designers who effortlessly fuse cosmopolitan aesthetics with the rich tapestry of African influences.
At “Selly Raby Kane,” her artistic creations offer a distinctive and unconventional interpretation of traditional West African garments. Here, she seamlessly integrates futuristic elements and maintains a strong commitment to sustainability. Most notably, the style ethos of the Senegalese fashion brand has harmoniously merged a reverence for Dakar as a significant yet often overlooked global fashion hub with an Afrofuturist perspective that exalts transformation and evolution.
Le Sandaga
Based in Dakar, Le Sandaga boasts a museum-like store design that invites customers to savor eye-catching displays of flowing, colorful kaftans, exquisite jewelry, and luxurious leather goods. The shop draws heavy inspiration from Dakar in the 1980s and 1990s, paying tribute to the founder’s grandfather’s wardrobe.
Likened by the serendipitous encounters of an open market, their online exhibitions clearly live up to expectations, considering that their name draws inspiration from Marché Sandaga, a renowned marketplace in Senegal.
With an understanding of customer preferences, this Senegalese fashion brand created its in-house line, L’Artisane, which empowers local artisans to craft exquisite pieces that reflect the store’s ethos. These in-house creations seamlessly blend the old and new, serving as an extension of the brand’s very essence.
Diarra Bousso
Diarra Bousso is a trailblazing figure in the world of fashion, known equally for her innovative designs and her commitment to social entrepreneurship. In 2013, she established the Dakar Boutique, driven by a profound mission: to uplift local artisan communities by engaging in the creation, production, and retail of clothing and accessories.
Located in Dakar, this opulent conglomerate specializes in the production and sale of three distinct brands: DIARRABLU, Diarra Bousso, and MINT. Today, her creative work graces the pages of esteemed publications, including Vogue, Glamour, The New York Times, and the Huffington Post, to name just a few. Her designs have found their way into the wardrobes of celebrities such as Akon and numerous first ladies across the globe.
Diarra takes immense pride in her role as Senegal’s representative in MARITAGE International—a groundbreaking partnership with the United Nations dedicated to advancing development and empowerment for women and children through the realms of fashion and the arts.
Baax
BAAX embodies a sustainable lifestyle brand deeply influenced by the rich craftsmanship and style of Senegal. Established by Sophie Nzinga Sy, renowned for dressing A-list celebrities under her label Sophie Zinga, BAAX was conceived as a fashion platform to foster discussions about self-esteem, human connections, and cultural heritage.
In Wolof (the national language of Senegal), “BAAX” signifies heritage and tradition. In alignment with the brand’s commitment to sustainability, patrons have the opportunity to swap Sophie Zinga garments for BAAX items, with the former being transformed into BAAX’s eco-friendly collection as a tribute to its core values.
Photo: Instagram.com/thediarrablu
