Established in Grand-Bassam, Zak Koné, a young designer and head of the PELEBE fashion label, promotes a modern and ultra-chic approach to fashion while drawing inspiration from traditional dress codes.

Don’t talk to Zak Koné about “African fashion.” This 30-year-old Ivorian, born in Madinani S/P Odienné to a pharmacist father and a homemaker mother, believes that such a label contradicts what fashion should truly be. “African fashion must die so that a true fashion industry can be born in Africa,” he asserts passionately, inviting visitors to discover his workshop in Bassam, located on the ground floor of his 400 m² home.

Since 2014, the year he launched his brand PELEBE (his second name, meaning “fusion of brothers” in his native Senoufo language), Zak Koné has made a name for himself with collections that skillfully blend traditional influences and contemporary style. His two guiding principles: chic and elegance. “I don’t dress generations, I dress naturally elegant women,” says the designer, who insists he’s not drawn to extravagance.

Yet, some of his evening gowns — crafted from his favorite material, cotton voile, and inspired by the elegance of Scarlett O’Hara — never go unnoticed for their majesty. These creations, along with his cocktail outfits, range in price from 200,000 to 500,000 FCFA (approximately €300 to €800).

His clientele, mainly Ivorian, also includes customers from French-speaking West Africa, Central Africa, and more recently, North Africa. One of his latest collections, showcased at the 2018 edition of the Festival International de la Mode en Afrique (FIMA), featured highly feminine silhouettes in black and white, adorned with golden pieces and jewelry — for a truly dazzling result.