The world of fashion has been expanding its horizons at recent seasons of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, featuring the event’s first-ever sub-Saharan African designer, the Cameroonian couture creator Imane Ayissi. Now, in Ayissi’s first solo museum exhibition, SCAD FASH displays a comprehensive collection of his designs, which unite African lineages of dress and textile with French sensibilities of luxury couture.
The designs are on view at SCAD FASH through February 2025. Curator Rafael Gomes recently joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to discuss the collection.
Born into a family steeped in artistry, Ayissi began his creative journey as a ballet dancer before transitioning to modeling and, ultimately, fashion design. His understanding of movement informs his innovative use of materials like raffia, kente cloth and kapok.
“The raffia he incorporates emphasizes movement, drawing from traditional African dance,” explained Gomes.
The curator further explained that a fusion of African and French influences is central to Ayissi’s vision, stating that the artist “mixes Malagasy raffia with Lyon silk, creating designs that are a true cultural dialogue.”
