African designer Imane Ayissi redefines luxury on Paris haute couture stage

Cameroonian designer Ayissi showcases couture in Paris

Magenta silks, bright yellow raffia, and delicately woven motifs graced Imane Ayissi’s runway in Paris, a true fashion feast blending African and European fabrics, styles, and cuts. Cameroon-born Ayissi, the only designer from sub-Saharan Africa to ever take part in Paris’ haute couture shows, makes a point of featuring designs and fabrics from his home continent. “It’s a great source of pride for me, for the whole of Africa,” he told RFI. His w…

African designer Imane Ayissi redefines luxury on Paris haute couture stage

Models stepped on to a Paris runway last week wearing sculptural gowns in African textiles by Imane Ayissi – the first and still the only designer from sub-Saharan Africa to take part in Paris's haute couture shows.