FAD

Honoured to have been invited by the @mcgillmass for their annual Africa Speaks Conference, contributing to a conversation on the diaspora’s role in shaping the future of continental growth. During my intervention, I spoke about authenticity as the foundation for meaningful impact. As a third-culture woman, my research at FAD is rooted in intentional allignment between African artisanship and diasporic creativity as a means of preserving intangible cultural heritage. I shared how storytelling can reclaim this process and reshape how traditional cultural practices are positioned in the evolving design landscape, and how digital tools can support the evolution of African craftsmanship. Alongside my co-panelists, @amaalnuux and @sarahmeeo , we also explored the importance of building spaces where diasporic creatives actively contribute to local cultural@ecosystems to strengthen the Continent’s position on a global scale. This exchange was particularly meaningful. Having served as VP Events for MASS during my undergraduate studies at McGill University, it was inspiring to return and see the students continuing to lead with vision and creating tangible cultural impact. A heartfelt thank you to the entire MASS team for the invitation and the opportunity to engage in such an important discussion.

Closing the groundbreaking #AfricaFashion exhibition with an insightful conversation. On behalf of Kibaru Studio & FAD Agency, thank you to @museemccordstewart and @sheyumboe for having us to speak on the intersection of fashion, archiving, and identity. Being surrounded by the work of pioneers like Chris Seydou and Alphadi, while discussing the future of African craftsmanship, was truly a full-circle moment. Link in bio for the full discussion. ✨ ______ Clôturer la révolutionnaire exposition #AfricaFashion par une conversation riche et éclairante. Au nom de Kibaru Studio & FAD Agency, merci à @museemccordstewart et @sheyumboe de nous avoir invités à échanger sur l’intersection entre la mode, l’archivage et l’identité. Être entourés des œuvres de pionniers comme Chris Seydou et Alphadi, tout en discutant de l’avenir de l’artisanat africain, a vraiment été un moment plein de sens. Lien dans la bio pour découvrir l’intégralité de la discussion. ✨

Heritage is more than a memory – it’s your brand’s SUPERPOWER. During our next live Moonlook Academy session, we’ll explore how to activate culture as a powerful brand lever with Fatou Alihya Diagne, founder of @iamfad_ and one of our expert for the upcoming cohort of the “Building an African Heritage Brand” program. This Sunday, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with her and discover her vision. On the agenda: ✅ Introduction to Fatou and her journey ✅ Why heritage is, in her view, a genuine brand strategy ✅ Concrete examples of brands that intentionally activate their culture ✅ What you’ll learn during her masterclass to root your brand in a strong story Ready to build a grounded, authentic and unforgettable brand? 👉 Join the next cohort and be part of the conversation. Click the link in bio to discover the full program and join the waitlist. Link in bio to learn more: (Linktree → Moonlook Academy) — L’héritage est plus qu’un souvenir du passé – c’est le SUPER POUVOIR de votre MARQUE. Lors de notre prochaine session live de la Moonlook Academy, nous explorerons comment activer la culture comme un puissant levier de marque avec Fatou Alihya Diagne, fondatrice de @iamfad_ et intervenante experte de la prochaine cohorte du programme “Building an African Heritage Brand”. Ce dimanche, vous aurez l’occasion d’échanger avec elle et de découvrir sa vision. Au programme : ✅ Présentation de Fatou et de son parcours ✅ Pourquoi l’héritage est, selon elle, une véritable stratégie de marque ✅ Des exemples concrets de marques qui activent leur culture avec intention ✅ Ce que vous apprendrez pendant sa masterclass pour ancrer votre marque dans une histoire forte Prêt·e à construire une marque ancrée, authentique et inoubliable ? 👉 Rejoignez la prochaine cohorte et faites partie de la conversation. Cliquez sur le lien en bio pour découvrir le programme complet et rejoindre la liste d’attente. Lien en bio pour en savoir plus : (Linktree → Moonlook Academy) #MoonlookAcademy #HeritageStrategy #AfricanDesign #BrandMasterclass

Don’t miss the final days of Woven Legacies! This exhibition is your opportunity to engage with our mission to shine a light on the heritage, sustainability, innovation embedded in African craftsmanship. The exhibition is open Tuesday from 12 PM to 8 PM. Join us for our closing finissage on Wednesday from 6 PM to 9 PM as we celebrate the conclusion of this story. This vision was brought to life thanks to our partner @semainedelamode , and the dedicated efforts of our team: Curator: @iamfad_ Creative Direction: @batikboutikclothing Creative Partner: @tamala.artisanal Production: @kibarustudio A warm thank you to @dj.locke and @325f.restaurant for adding a special touch to our vernissage! Ne manquez pas les derniers jours de Woven Legacies ! Cette exposition est votre occasion de vous engager dans notre mission de mettre en lumière l’héritage, la durabilité et l’innovation intégrés dans l’artisanat africain. L’exposition est ouverte mardi de 12 h à 20 h. Rejoignez-nous pour notre finissage de clôture mercredi de 18 h à 21 h alors que nous célébrons la conclusion de cette histoire. Cette vision a pris vie grâce à notre partenaire @semainedelamode , et aux efforts dévoués de notre équipe : Commissaire : @iamfad_ Direction créative : @batikboutikclothing Partenaire créatif : @tamala.artisanal Production : @kibarustudio Un chaleureux merci à @dj.locke et @325f.restaurant pour avoir ajouté une touche spéciale à notre vernissage !

A Letter From Tounes shot by @diorsow featuring @amar.ghaly , is a visual series honouring the transmission of ancestral craft through movement, connection, and continuity across the Sahara. This portrait showcases a traditional Tuareg pendant, referred to as the Washak by artisans in Niger. Also known in scholarly references as the Tcherot, and in some regions as the Khoumeissa, this ornament, culturally worn by the Tuareg people, is crafted as protection against the evil eye. It has inspired one of our newest design, the Hawa earrings. #NotAFad #MadeInNiger

A Letter From Tounes The Sahara is often seen as a vast cultural divide between North and Sub-Saharan Africa, a natural border that separates people and traditions. Yet history tells a more nuanced story. Despite its harsh conditions, the Sahara has long been a space of exchange and connection. The enduring presence and mobility of groups like the Imazighen, which include the Tuareg, Cheluh, Kabyles, and others, stand as a powerful testament to the transmission of culture and craft that has always existed, creating deep and lasting similarities that have transcended colonial lines and paved a way for a distinct culture to ground itself beyond the desert. While visiting Tunisia, the FAD team reflected on this spirit of movement, continuity, connection, and on the hidden figures who shared rituals of a region where borders have always been more fluid than fixed. In this series, they meet at sea to celebrate a sacred union. This research is integral to our ⴼ·ⴹ series, part of the #NotAFad initiative. Through it, we honor Sahelian craftsmanship not as a static tradition, but as a living, evolving archive shaped by migration and resilience. With remembrance, From the Sahel to the sea Photography — @diorsow Retouch — @nurzaman_nur_ Model — @amar.ghaly Creative Direction — @falhyad_

Dear ecosystem, What an unforgettable journey this has been. The first chapter of NOT A FAD, revealed on May 3rd, is the result of years of research between the continent and the diaspora. Years filled with remembrance, prayer, and design rooted in our love for the Sahel. I want to acknowledge those who have walked with us thus far. To every designer, researcher, model, stylist, and photographer who stepped into this vision grounded in purpose, thank you. To all of our collaborators who carried this dream with care, your belief made this possible. This showcase with the incredible team at @avantgarde_cmtl reminded me it’s necessary to begin while still learning. Because when the intention is clear, the walk of faith carries the rest. This journey has taught us so much about the importance of supporting African artisans in preserving their craft and, more importantly, their emancipation. This offering belongs to all of us. To my team, thank you for creating with me through the chaos, the craft, the care. To my family, here, in Senegal and Niger, thank you for always being ready to help bring this vision to life within a single phone call. And to the artisans, those who trust us with their legacies. This is for all that you do. And it’s only the beginning. An ode to those who came before us. A nod to my friend @e.g.jewellery . It was an honor to wear a special piece of yours on such a meaningful night. A moment for @badgyalfromsunugal , our stylist, draped in the elegance of a Sahelian goddess. And the bride, @choki._.i , who carried our Fanta with so much grace. Thank you all for your heartfelt support. Truly, it’s an honour! With love, FAD🪬

The FANTA dress returns as a living tribute to Sahelian brides. Brought to life by FAD in collaboration with @david_ogalu and crafted from the traditional Melhfa, this garment embodies an ancestral elegance, styled with handcrafted jewelry from @iamfad_ , made by Tuareg artisans in Niger. Part of the #MulfeSeries and the wider #NotAFad initiative, this work is rooted in FAD’s ongoing journey through African craftsmanship, storytelling, and cultural reclamation. Created in collaboration with Through My Eyes, this photo series offers a political and feminist take on the Sahelian bride, one that pushes back against the idea that tradition and autonomy can’t coexist. It’s a tribute to the women who move between these worlds, moving on their own terms and defining themselves beyond expectation. This work is part of a wider conversation about the often unseen and unacknowledged labor of women who keep challenging what’s expected of them. It’s about heritage, yes, but also about how women constantly reinvent the ways they show up in the world. More than a fashion shoot, it’s a visual reflection on power, resistance, and legacy, on what it means to hold space without asking for permission and reclaiming tradition in their own way. Photographer and Image Director — @throughmyeyesforyou Digital Technician — @philippemanh Lighting Technician — @rayarzaga Assistant Digital and Lighting Technician — @captainfer Co-Creative Director, Co-Stylist & Designer — @david_ogalu Makeup and Hair Artist — @makeupartby.mm Retouch — @nurzaman_nur_ Creative Director, Designer, Stylist & Model — @falhyad_

✨ Introducing our first featured designer for the avant-garde fashion show this May 3rd: Fatou Alhya Diagne @iamfad_ , the visionary behind FAD. ✨ Fatou created FAD, which stands for the exploration of the intersection between Fashion, Art & Development, to showcase the expertise and knowledge passed down through generations of artisans. By incorporating tradition into contemporary designs, FAD aims to create pieces that resonate not only with the diaspora but with a global audience. Her work is a tribute to legacy, a celebration of identity, and a bold statement for the future of fashion. Get ready to witness culture, creativity, and craftsmanship on full display. This is FAD. This is the future. 💫 Credits Photoshoot Photographer & Art Director — @real_jansen Image Director — @throughmyeyesforyou Digital Technician — @philippemanh Lighting Technician — @rayarzaga Assistant Digital & Lighting Technician — @captainfer Creative Director & Designer — @david_ogalu Makeup & Hair Artist — @makeupartby.mm Co-Creative Director, Designer & Model — @iamfad_ Model — @itsfilder Reel Credits Cultur’Elles Digital team 🌸: @claudia.dodji @_rajkumarii @jesuisloud @ci3_k @s.i.r.i.m.a @soraya.hada @alidaabgas #FADbyFatou #CulturEllesMTL #AvantGardeFashionShow #May3rd #FashionArtDevelopment #DiasporaDesign #TraditionMeetsInnovation

Introducing the Fanta Dress — An ode to Sahelian brides. Crafted from the Melhfa, designed by FAD in collaboration with @david_ogalu , this piece reflects a timeless elegance rooted in heritage and reimagined for today. Styled with handcrafted jewelry from @iamfad_ , made in Niger 🕊️ Photographer & Art Director — @real_jansen Image Director — @throughmyeyesforyou Digital Technician — @philippemanh Lighting Technician — @rayarzaga Assistant Digital & Lighting Technician — @captainfer Co-Creative Director & Designer — @david_ogalu Makeup & Hair Artist — @makeupartby.mm Model — @falhyad_ @details.the.agency Creative Director & Designer — @iamfad_ #MulfeSeries #NotAFad

The ethereal @elyanna wearing the #SafaahChoker intimately performing “Kon Nafsak” at @maktaba.bookshop for the @recordingacademy , styled beautifully by @rightmood . #NotAFad🪽 #MadeInNiger