MyWeku

Sidi-Ahmed Seidnaly from Niger is the creator of the International Festival of African Fashion (FIMA), which is held every two years in Niger, and attracts more than 2,000 people. The event gives encouragement and opportunity to new talents in lesser-known enterprises and attempts to show the world the diversity, originality and richness of local African cultures.

What Seidnaly calls “the soul of Africa” is reflected in his designs through the use of textiles made from tree bark in Uganda, and by weaving Songhai, Zarma, Bororo, Hausa and Tuareg influences into his creations.

African fashion designers need to become better known worldwide, he said. As a designer, “you want to be known in New York, Los Angeles” as well as other fashion capitals of the world.

“Fashion can help Africa to grow,” Seidnaly says. He believes that manufacturing African fashion in Africa can lead to economic development on the continent. Seidnaly began his company 30 years ago with five employees. Today, he employs 200 people. He is also the president of the Federation of African Creators, and has 25 shops, including locations in Paris and Washington.

H/T: AmericaGov