We can say it: Imane Ayissi brought African fashion out of the ghetto and dusted the imaginary. Without context, he remains one of the best African creators. For its universal messages, the French National Assembly paid a vibrant tribute to the Cameroonian creator Imane Ayissi.
On Friday, August 25, 2022, on his Facebook account, it read: “I am delighted to inform you that the medal of the French National Assembly was given to me by Vincent Ledoux, the deputy of Northern France. I give thanks”.
Haute couture enters the chamber
Last Friday, the icon of African fashion, Imane Ayissi received the medal of the National Assembly from Vincent Ledoux, the deputy of the tenth constituency of the North. Normally this medal is reserved for parliamentarians. Also, questions arise! Imane Ayissi is not a parliamentarian. Why this honor? It must be said that Imane is the first West African designer to integrate the very selective calendar of Parisian haute couture. A consecration. A well-deserved recognition for an important actor of the world of culture who, in 30 years of parade, has not finished to mark with his imprint the world of fashion.
We are witnessing an African fashion boom. Today, every fashion show of designers and designers from the African continent attracts a large audience and more than just knowledgeable collectors. In terms of fashion, Africa is comparable to an active volcano. Increasingly present on the international catwalks, the designer and his creations are in full effervescence. The visibility of creators from the African continent has brought down stereotypes.
Imane Ayissi (52) combines African fashion with a globalized world view. Now subscribed to the official haute couture calendar, Ayissi has an aesthetically modern style. This Cameroonian designer has expanded the cultural canons inspired by his career as a dancer, model and writer. This great designer creates moving forms, putting in the foreground the know-how of African artisans. Also, Ledoux affirms that Imane Aussi: “makes the bridge, the link, the artistic and cultural bridge between Europe and Africa”.
Imane Ayissi has made herself known with a committed wardrobe with feminist accents. It has established itself as an open African window on the international scene. Each of his parades tells a story of Africa to Europeans and represents a form of Afro-activism. This passionate about couture and the search for originality, it is a head full of the exotic heritage of Africa that expresses itself: At 53 years, this African baobab has not finished showing the nerd, the leaven, of creations drawn from the beautiful African landscape. He uses existing materials to make masterpieces. Each of his creations is an autobiography of Africa. Imane Ayissi is quite famous in the world: he is a man of great culture. For all that he brings to Africa, it would not be unfair to say thank you to him. Imane Ayissi is a great icon.
