Celebrities, although sometimes frowned upon because of their actions, are a huge part of every country. Senegal has some famous people who have influenced their country, the rest of Africa, and the rest of the world.
Oumou Sy
Oumou Sy is a prominent fashion designer from Senegal. In Africa, a large part of the artists in fashion are women. Dakar, where Sy lives and works, is one of the most important areas for African design. Fashion is a way for people to express themselves in a unique way, and many people enjoy the fun that comes from dressing up and trying new styles.
Sy was born in 1952 in a village called Podor, which is in the northern part of Senegal. Her father was one of an elite clan of religious leaders of the Toucouleur people, and her mother came from Casamance (the region south of Gambia). She wasn't allowed to attend school because she was a girl. However, she enjoyed design, especially playing with different fabrics. Her father encouraged her to be creative and curious. Unfortunately, he passed away when she was only five years old. This caused her to desire even more deeply to pursue fashion, to fulfill his belief in her.
From the people of her village, she learned the traditional methods of making clothing. Along with this, she learned how to work metal and started making jewelry as well as garments. Sy's style is what she calls "métissage", meaning mishmash, or hybrid. She works with all materials that she's able to get and her fashion isn't limited to one style or time period.
Sy was born in 1952 in a village called Podor, which is in the northern part of Senegal. Her father was one of an elite clan of religious leaders of the Toucouleur people, and her mother came from Casamance (the region south of Gambia). She wasn't allowed to attend school because she was a girl. However, she enjoyed design, especially playing with different fabrics. Her father encouraged her to be creative and curious. Unfortunately, he passed away when she was only five years old. This caused her to desire even more deeply to pursue fashion, to fulfill his belief in her.
From the people of her village, she learned the traditional methods of making clothing. Along with this, she learned how to work metal and started making jewelry as well as garments. Sy's style is what she calls "métissage", meaning mishmash, or hybrid. She works with all materials that she's able to get and her fashion isn't limited to one style or time period.