Article: Discover African fashion trends with the collections of Fabrice Houedji of Dakantigui Couture
African fashion continues to conquer the fashion world with its unique fabrics and bold designs. And among the designers who highlight these African textiles, we find Fabrice Houedji of Dakantigui Couture. This young Togolese fashion designer based in Mali is passionate about promoting the diversity of African fabrics through his collections. Whether tailor-made or ready-to-wear, his pieces combine the masculinity of the cuts while drawing inspiration from feminine elegance.
Fabrice Houedji, in his approach to promoting African textiles, highlights emblematic fabrics such as bogolan, kente or even Faso Dan Fani woven cotton. Its objective is to make these textiles more visible and to celebrate the know-how of the African artisans who make them. Through his collections, he also wishes to recall the importance of preserving traditional African textiles and not letting them fall into oblivion in favor of wax, an imported fabric which has become very popular in recent years.
For Fabrice Houedji, the inspiration for his creations comes from his environment. Whether thinking or observing something, he always finds new ideas for his creations. His love for African textiles also led him to specialize in textile design. For the dyeing of his fabrics, he works in collaboration with local artisans in order to control the production chain and obtain unique pieces combining creativity and traditional know-how.
Fabrice Houedji’s journey is remarkable. Born and raised in Togo, he traveled to Mali to pursue his higher education and took the opportunity of fashion training to realize his passion. In 2021, at the end of his apprenticeship, he created his brand Dakantigui Couture, which bears the name “Dakantigui” meaning “master destiny” in the Bambara language. Through his success and his brand, he also wants to inspire other young people to become masters of their lives and not wait for opportunities to come to them.
Fabrice Houedji is also campaigning for increased skills in the fashion sector in Africa. According to him, it is essential to preserve and develop the know-how of African textiles, such as indigo and Faso Dan Fani weaving. He believes that increasing Westernization and the forgetting of these traditional skills represent a danger for African textiles. He wishes to help reverse this trend by promoting African textiles and encouraging young people to get involved in this field.
In conclusion, the collections of Fabrice Houedji of Dakantigui Couture highlight all the richness and diversity of African fabrics. By favoring local textiles such as bogolan, kente or Faso Dan Fani woven cotton, he wishes to preserve and promote these traditional know-how, while bringing his own touch of originality and modernity. Thanks to his commitment and creativity, Fabrice Houedji contributes to promoting African fashion on the international scene.