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| African art, textile patterns and
colorful scenery have inspired many artists all over the world
in their various works of art. The fashion industry has also
incorporated African impressions in their designs. Though,
there are very creative African fashion designers within and
outside of Africa, only a couple of them are known within the
international fashion business. In fact, there is no African
fashion designer with a significant recognition or market
share. But an African lady from Senegal is gaining popularity
with her elegant haute couture. Her name is Oumou Sy.
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| Oumou Sy |
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Oumou Sy
does not have a formal education. As a child, she liked the
feel of fabrics and she was always playing with the material
in any form her fantasy allowed. She later developed interest
in joining, stitching and sewing pieces of fabrics together to
create works of art. Her interest grew stronger. She developed
her capabilities further and started making dresses, which
today, has developed into a successful fashion business. Her
collections have been showcased at international fashion shows
in Europe, Asia, Africa and USA.
Apart
from creating high-class fashion designs, is very active in
development programs in her home country. She founded a school
of design, which provides training for Senegalese in diverse
areas of product and fashion designs. According to Oumou Sy in
a discussion podium during the Masala Welt-Beat Festival 2004,
the graduates of the school are highly rated by employers in
Senegal. Some of the graduates also find employment in the
design industries outside of Senegal. She was introduced to
the Internet technology by her husband and got hooked to it.
She slowly learnt about the possibilities of the technology
and was fascinated the first time she saw her photo online. |
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| From then on, she decided to
learn how to use the computer despite the fact that she has no
formal education. She learnt how to use the modern technology
and thought, 'If I am able to use the computer, then others
without formal education should be able to learn how to use
the computer as well'. |
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As a woman
of action, she started the first Internet Cafe in Dakar.
Motivated by the success of the Internet Cafe, she
collaborated with her husband to start a project intended to
create Internet awareness and its e-learning advantages in
Senegal.
Through her relentless efforts in
promoting African culture, traditions and products, Oumou Sy
has gained significant acknowledgements from both government
and private institutions. On the invitation of organizations,
she has taken part in discussion forums and organized
workshops at which she taught participants the art of fashion
design.
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| Afritopic
2004 |
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| Related links |
| Oumou
Sy - Fantastic Show |
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