Selly Raby Kane is a Senegalese fashion icon who is reinventing what African fashion means. Based in Dakar, Kane’s work is deeply rooted in Senegalese mythologies and traditions. Her designs incorporate a wide range of design elements, including pictograms, colors, and patchwork, notions that are central to Dakar’s cultural identity. Her work, avant-garde as it is, initially faced resistance as audiences didn’t understand it. But with consistency, she has managed to break through that resistance, with many people now appreciating her designs. She went viral in 2016, when American singer Beyoncé wore a statement piece from her collection while walking in New York City. Kane describes her work as youthful, yet radical. However, she is dedicated to staying true to her African roots.
DW