COLLE SOW ARDO

Collé Sow Ardo

Country of origin: Senegal

Collé Sow Ardo, an iconic figure in African fashion, began her career as a model before graduating from the Institut de Coupe et de Haute Couture in Paris in 1979. In 1983, she organized her first fashion show in Dakar and launched her own brand. Her work with woven fabric, handcrafted by Senegalese artisans, became her signature and earned her the title of "Queen of Woven Fabric." Through her creations, she celebrates traditional crafts and local expertise. In 2003, she launched the SIRA Vision international trade show, a global showcase for African fashion. She advocates for the transformation of fashion into a true industry in Africa and calls on investors to support this promising sector. Her ambition: to establish a large-scale production facility in Dakar. Collé Sow Ardo embodies a vision of fashion rooted in African identity and looking towards the future.