Photos By Gail

Designers Jean-Yves Kouassi Yebieyin and Gaston Ouedraogo capture the unique history and culture of West African country Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d’Ivoire, with their brand partnership Djainin. The brand name translates to “Jeans” in Nouchi, a language that developed to bridge language differences in Ivorian cities.

Their signature motif on this sporty, cotton denim emsemble (2023) depicts Marie-Thérèse Houphouët-Boigny, the glamourous first lady of Côte d’Ivoire (1960 – 1993), an international fashion icon and humanitarian  who represents nostalgia for a golden age of the country’s post-independence history.

Photographed in the Museum at FIT as part of the Exhibit, Africa’s Fashion Diaspora.