Why the launch of “Afrique en Scène” Turned into a Power Summit
As the room for the opening talk filled up to discuss the theme “From Creativity to Soft Power,” one thing became clear to observers: contemporary African creativity has moved beyond the stage of solitary emergence. By bringing together the key figures who have been shaping perceptions of the continent for years, 18 rue de Turenne has become the epicenter of an ecosystem that is rapidly consolidating.
This unprecedented gathering was not merely a social public relations event. It highlighted how fashion, television drama, independent publishing, and influencer strategies intersect to build a comprehensive value chain capable of engaging on equal footing with international markets. It is precisely this collective dynamic that the Africa Fashion Tour podcast documents on a daily basis, where several of these thought leaders have already shared the behind-the-scenes stories of their entrepreneurial successes.
Kalista Sy and the Art of Bringing Women’s Stories to Life on Screen
Brought to the attention of a global audience by the television phenomenon *Maîtresse d’un homme marié*, Senegalese director and producer Kalista Sy plays a central role in the dissemination of contemporary style through fiction. As a child fascinated by the sociological impact of a series like *Sex and the City*, she understood early on that costumes, sets, and production design are not mere accessories, but key tools for cultural transmission and empowerment.
Through her work, she enables African women and younger generations to see their complexity celebrated on screen. By choosing to dress her characters in designs from local Senegalese and West African brands, Kalista Sy transforms each episode into a powerful vehicle for commercial promotion, propelling Dakar-based ateliers to receive orders from viewers in Washington or Europe. As the next highly anticipated guest onAfrica Fashion Tour, she will soon be breaking down the power of moving images in the rise of our fashion brands.
Marie-Jeanne Serbin-Thomas and the Historic Struggle for Editorial Visibility
Long before the current craze among major Western media conglomerates for stories about people of African descent, Marie-Jeanne Serbin-Thomas laid the groundwork for pan-African women’s and cultural journalism by founding the magazine *Brune*. A true pioneer of independent fashion journalism, she provided a showcase of sophistication and elegance for Black women and designers from across the continent at a time when European newsstands were completely ignoring them.
Her presence at this event serves as a reminder that independent media form the foundation without which no industry can build its critical memory. As she shared during her memorable appearance on *Africa Fashion Tour*, rigorously documenting craftsmanship, the journeys of artisans, and societal transformations in fashion has helped shape the perspectives of several generations of readers and professionals.
Fatima Zahra Ba and the Proof of a Well-Structured Workshop’s Longevity
As the founder of So’Fatoo, a brand with over a decade of continuous presence in the market, Fatima Zahra Ba exemplifies the entrepreneurial maturity of Dakar’s younger generation. With a background in public law before choosing to become a full-time entrepreneur, she has successfully industrialized the traditional woven fabric passed down by her grandmother, transforming it into an accessible, elegant ready-to-wear collection tailored to the daily lives of working women.
As the head of a team of thirty employees and co-founder of the Arca concept store, she embodies this generation of female entrepreneurs who prioritize financial discipline, loyalty to their community, and control over their physical production rather than chasing superficial validation. Her unfiltered insights, featured in the standout episodes ofAfrica Fashion Tour, remain a textbook example for anyone seeking to build a sustainable, profitable brand.
Jacqueline Ngo Mpii and the Mapping of Afro-Parisian Luxury
Through her Little Africa project, Jacqueline Ngo Mpii has transformed the French capital into a hub for cultural and commercial exploration for diasporas and travelers from around the world. As the author of the *City Guide Afrique à Paris* and founder of an art and design space in the heart of the Goutte d’Or neighborhood, she highlights the designers, concept stores, galleries, and artisans who are rewriting the history of urban cultural fusion.
Her vision goes beyond a simple tourism survey: she offers a geopolitical interpretation of the African presence in Europe, connecting emerging brands with networks of international buyers seeking authentic experiences. Speaking atthe Africa Fashion Tour, she discussed in detail the importance of leveraging physical meeting spaces to attract an international clientele and turn the urban landscape into a business opportunity.
Fatou Tahina Fall and the Science of Pan-African Personal Branding
A specialist in strategic communication and founder of the Myth People agency, Fatou Tahina Fall helps executives, top creatives, and thought leaders across the continent build their narrative authority.
In a global market where a brand’s visibility is closely tied to the charisma and authenticity of its founder, her work demonstrates that African fashion can no longer settle for a well-crafted product. It demands a meticulously crafted brand identity, a crystal-clear positioning, and a public image capable of reassuring banks and attracting leading investors. His interview on our channel serves as a reminder that a personal narrative is not a gimmick, but a direct driver of economic value.
Thierry Bernath and the Art of Managing High-Profile Media Relations
As head of his eponymous communications agency, Thierry Bernath brings recognized expertise in the media promotion of pan-African initiatives. He regularly collaborates with major players such as Canal+ Afrique and Galeries Lafayette on large-scale campaigns like Africa Now, and has a deep understanding of the inner workings of institutional and event-based visibility.
His professional perspective enables brands and platforms to move from the inner circle to the pages of major business and lifestyle publications by designing initiatives that showcase the creativity of the Global South to Parisian decision-makers. In his conversation with Ramata Diallo on the podcast, he offers a clear-eyed analysis of editorial requirements and the approach to building campaigns with lasting impact.
Roselynd Laubhouet and the bold initiative to unite the continent’s energies
At the heart of this large-scale initiative, Roselynd Laubhouet, founder of Nahyel Concept Store and the leather goods brand of the same name, reaffirms her status as a pioneer of contemporary retail. Trained in international finance in Washington before opening her permanent stores in Dakar and Abidjan, she rejects the fragmentation of independent talent in favor of commercial collaboration.
By designing “Afrique en Scène” as a comprehensive platform that combines an immersive pop-up store featuring twenty fashion houses, a strategic talk on soft power, and technical tours of Parisian workshops, she offers a concrete solution to the challenge of exporting. In her exclusive interview with Africa Fashion Tour, she details her approach to balancing financial vision, logistical rigor, and a love for beautiful fabrics.
When the Combination of Skills Shapes the Future of Our Industries
The joint presence of these figures at 18 rue de Turenne marks a fundamental turning point for the ecosystem. The success of African fashion will not depend on isolated initiatives, but on the methodical integration of feature films, the trade press, atelier-based production, mapping of retail locations, image consulting, and media strategy.
By coming together around a shared commitment to excellence and profitability, these trailblazers prove that the continent’s soft power is no longer just a theoretical promise: it is now driven by businesswomen and businessmen determined to set their own standards at the highest levels of the international stage. To explore their journeys in depth and understand the mechanics of their success, audio recordings of their conversations can be found directly in the episodes of the Africa Fashion Tour podcast.
