1. Omar Viktor DIOP
Omar Diop is a well known photographer and storyteller from Senegal. He was born and raised in Dakar and later studied in Paris before moving on to work as an analyst. Diop worked in the corporate world for a while before quitting to chase his passion.
His earliest exhibition was displayed in the Pan African Exhibition at the African Biennale of Photography in Bamako, Mali. The groundbreaking exhibition propelled him to fame and success. Diop has established himself as a skilled and renowned photographer.
He has been featured In numerous exhibitions and collaborations including Louis Vuitton Foundation, A Queen Within Adorn, Africa Africa, Palazzo Litta, Milan, Italy Brooklyn museum.
Diop has also won awards like Foam Paul Huf Award and the LensCulture Emerging Talent Award. He has been featured on media outlets like Jeune Afrique and CNN.
Diop uses photography and art to challenge stereotypes and promote a more nuanced understanding of African identity and culture. He is known for combining photography with other forms of art.
He has paid tribute to historical Black figures like Toussaint L'Ouverture in some of his collections. One distinct feature of his art is using ‘artistic self-portraits’ as a tool to discuss themes concerning representation and political issues.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/omar_viktor?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Photography: Viktor Omar DIOP from his collection, Allegoria
2. Sophie Zinga Sy
Sophie Zinga is an entrepreneur and fashion designer who is known for her unique and contemporary approach to traditional African textiles and designs. Her work is characterised by elegant and feminine silhouettes, intricate detailing, and the use of sustainable and ethically-sourced materials.
Zinga has gained international recognition for her contributions to the fashion industry, and has been featured in publications such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.
She is also committed to using her platform to promote social and environmental causes, such as women's empowerment and sustainable fashion practices. She is the founder of Baax Studios and Dakar Design hub, ‘an interdisciplinary design hub committed to providing quality education and design services’.
She attended Parsons school of design in the United States and returned to Dakar to start her fashion brand. In 2014, she was named as one of 30 young fashion designers selected by Vogue Italia to present at Milan.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sophiezinga?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Courtesy of the designer
3. Sarah Diouf
Sarah Diouf is an entrepreneur, creative director, and founder of the fashion and lifestyle brand, Tongoro. She is known for her innovative approach to fashion design, which blends traditional African textiles and techniques with contemporary styles and aesthetics.
Diouf's work has been featured in numerous international publications, and she has been recognized as a rising star in the global fashion industry. In addition to her work in fashion, she is also a champion of African entrepreneurship and female empowerment, and has spoken widely on these topics at events and conferences around the world.
Her designs have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell and Alicia Keys. Her design was selected as part of the influential contemporary African designers to have their work showcased as part of the V&A Museum landmark Africa fashion exhibition in London.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dioufsarah?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
4. Sidy Mohammed Kandji
Sidy Mouhammed Kandji is a photographer whose work focuses on capturing the beauty and diversity of people, places, and cultures.
Born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, Kandji's passion for photography began at a young age. He honed his skills through self-study and by collaborating with other photographers.
Kandji's work often features vibrant colours and bold compositions, and he is known for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects through his lens. His photographs have been featured on Apple and VSCO.
He has also been featured in exhibitions like the Space Gallery exhibition in New York City and at Zanzibar Visual Arts Festival amongst other numerous exhibitions in Senegal.
Photography is deeply rooted in Sidy's love for his home country of Senegal and its people, and he is committed to using his art to celebrate and promote African culture and creativity.
He is the co-founder of Ndkaru Studio, a creative hub in Dakar.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ndakarustudio?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
5. Selly Raby Kane
Selly Raby Kane is a fashion designer and artist who has gained international recognition for her unique and avant-garde approach to fashion. Born in Dakar, Senegal, Kane studied at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts before launching her eponymous fashion label in 2012.
Her collections often feature intricate beadwork, embroidery, and other forms of embellishment, and she has collaborated with a range of artists and designers to create multidisciplinary projects that blur the lines between fashion, art, and performance.
Selly’s work has been featured in numerous publications, including Vogue, Elle, and The New York Times. In addition to her work in fashion, Kane is also a vocal advocate for African creativity and innovation, and she has been invited to speak at events and conferences around the world.
Her design has been worn by Beyoncé and featured in IKEA.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sellyrabykane?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Photo: Alioune Seye
6. Mamy Tall
Mamy Tall is an art director, architect and co-founder of Dakar Lives, a digital platform dedicated to promoting African culture. Known for her innovative and sustainable designs that incorporate local materials and techniques, Tall is a strong advocate for sustainable designs and green building practices.
Mamy was born in Senegal and studied architecture in France before returning to her home country to launch her firm. Her work focuses on creating buildings and spaces that are both functional and beautiful, while also addressing the unique environmental and social challenges of Senegal.
She has been featured in Elle South Africa and Okayafrica. She has served as the artistic director for several projects including the Geneva Afrodysee Festival's photo booth, the Pichkari collection launch campaign by Selly Raby Kane, and the Sidy collection by L'Artisane.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mamytall?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Photo: Makhfou
7. Amy Sall
Amy Sall is a first generation American of Senegalese descent. She is the founder of SUNU: Journal of African Affairs, Critical Thought + Aesthetics; “ a collective, Pan-African platform for cultivating and archiving ideas concerning global Blackness across multiple forms + themes “.
Amy’s work exploreshow media, visual culture, and critical theory influence, mould, and promote discourses pertaining to the economical, political, and cultural issues.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Cultural Studies and Journalism and a Master’s in Human Rights studies from the New School University in Culture and Media Studies and Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences respectively. She has been featured in Vogue and UNIQLO Global.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/amy_sall?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
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