Senegalese fashion designer Selly Raby Kane has worked a niche for herself in the international fashion scene as one of Dakar’s brightest stars. Recently at the Dakar Fashion Week, Kane showcased her Fall Winter 2015 collection to critical acclaim. She has since gone to release an editorial look book for the images.
There is so much creativity in the new collection. Selly Kane plays with a lot of elements, opting for PVC panelling on a rust coloured coat that would sit right at home in any of Dakar’s most fashionable restaurants. She also revisits ankara, using distinctive print motifs as applique detailing on blouson coats and jackets. There are Nwentoma pencil skirts with pocket detailing and leopard prints pants to round out the collection. Her expert use of PVC, felt, tartan pencil skirts and insect and bird motifs help to transport the wearer into a dystopian otherworldliness and the accessories of menswear boots and covered sandals lend a certain androgyny to the entire project. The tailoring and cuts of the dresses help to sell and carry the ideas.
Dakar City of Birds benefits so much from the styling and location, helping project a certain youthfulness to the pieces.
Photographer:Jean Baptiste Joire
Designer: Selly Raby Kane