Oumou Sy

Who is Oumou Sy?

Oumou Sy is a Senegalese fashion designer frequently referred to as "Senegal's Queen of Couture".

She founded the association Metissacana, that supports the cultural and economic exchange between the continents. She lives and works in Dakar.

She is Senegal's most internationally known haute couture designer. Her collections have been shown in fashion shows in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S. She owns her own stores in Geneva and Paris. She designed the wardrobe for the Senegalese singers Baaba Maal and Youssou N'Dour, and has won various awards at international film festivals for her costume designs.

In 1998 Sy was the one of the three African fashion designers to win the Principal Prince Claus Award; the other two were Tetteh Adzedu from Ghana and Alphadi from Mali.