London
A Conversation with Fatou Diallo
Fashion designer and founder of Maison Fatou, blending Senegalese textiles with London streetwear.
Q: How did growing up between Dakar and London shape your aesthetic?
I grew up wearing my mother's hand-dyed fabrics to school in South London. Kids would laugh, then a few years later, those same prints were on the runway. That taught me that our culture is always ahead — the world just takes time to catch up.
Q: What role does fashion play in the diaspora experience?
Fashion is identity made visible. When I design, I'm not just making clothes — I'm making armor. Every piece tells the wearer: you belong here, and you carry something powerful with you.
