SEYNABU SAAR

**Occupation**: Copywriter
**Location**: Dakar, Senegal
**Three words to describe yourself**:
Passionate, Optimistic, Stubborn

Could you share a little more about what you do?

I'm a copywriter whose job is to imagine advertising concepts for brands to sell their products and services, making sure they look creative and sexy!

On a personal level, I enjoy being creative by taking self-portraits. It allows me to be in tune with my image and what I want to reflect. Beyond aesthetics, it allows me to shine a light on unique elements of my everyday life that matter to me. From accessories to hairstyles and special jewellery, all elements come together in harmony with my face.

What are you telling the world through your creative work?

I’m trying to play my part within our local creative community. I’m always challenging myself, doing my best to include talents who are making the continent, and especially my country, move forward. It could be anybody from the people we don’t see to the most famous ones. We need to give platforms to our local talents. And it starts with small steps: making a post, sharing their work, buying a little piece, including them in your work, etc.

OUR stories need to be told by OUR people.

What fashion events has excited you lately?

What comes straight to my mind is the collection recently launched by designer Awa Ndour. I have great admiration and respect for her work. She’s definitely one to watch.
Of course the Chanel show announcement for their next Métiers d’Art collection which is set to be staged here in Dakar. Senegal has a wealth of artisanal knowledge and treasures. I hope our artisans will benefit from this event and I can’t wait to see how it will unfold.
The exciting events that happened off this long-awaited 14th edition of the Dakar Biennale. After a forced 4-year wait due to COVID, we were eager to attend it. There were the Selly Raby Kane show at Muus Du Tuux, the Lives Fest one hosted by Black Rock at Douta Seck cultural centre, the Sigui Experience exhibition by Milcos Badji of footwear brand Nio Far, the Dakar Design Hub presentations at Popenguine to name a few.
A label that has marked my year: Schiaparelli. Their pieces truly speak to me. I came across their latest shows thanks to Ndiaga Diouf of TÀCCU Magazine and I fell in love with Elsa Schiaparelli’s eccentric world. Her subversive approach to fashion was fascinating.

What are your favorite African-owned fashion brands?

The continent is full of talents, especially when it comes to fashion. It’s quite hard to choose but I’d say Monica Collections, Hanifa, Loza Maléombho, Tongoro, Tzar Studios, Inass Saghdaoui, So Fatoo, Romzy Studio, Andrea Iyamah, L’Artisane Shop and Diarrablu.

If you were a garment what would you be?

A long and fluffy bardo dress cause it’s comfortable, sexy and simple.

Your motto.

Work hard, be patient and trust GOD. He knows things that we don’t. Just to do your part and trust his process and his timing.

Ndaane means “flourish”. What does it inspire you?

To me, Ndaane means being yourself at every stage of your life, which includes the good, the bad and the ugly.

Each life stage requires a new version of ourselves, a new birth that allows us to move forward. Even if those stages won’t always be easy, they will shape us after all. We must make the most of them.

In a nutshell, Ndaane means being in constant change: doubting, questioning yourself, but loving yourself unconditionally.

Find her here.

Meet Seynabu