Editor’s Pick

Jenke Ahmed Tailly

“I grew up in a multicultural family who came from different parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Style and garments were a huge deal in celebrating and perpetuating our traditions, rituals and generational events. My mother was the most sublime woman I’ve ever known. She loved Saint Laurent, Montana and Pierre Cardin, and was all about Carven prints, Chanel and Givenchy lipstick. My aunts Fatou and Yassine were the Piaget and Cartier queens. My other aunts, Diarra and Anta, owned a marvellous shop of fabrics imported from India, Pakistan and Sudan, and they taught me about guipure, silk, cotton voile and all the fabulous mills. A few of my family members would bribe me with sweets so I would co-design (with tailors) ensembles for them for special occasions. Even my school uniform was in a league of its own! Ah, the good old days. The 70s vibe was our thing. We loved Godard, Pialat, Belmondo, and the French New Wave. I now realise how blessed I am to have grown up then, and to have been guided during my formative years with such untouchable greatness and love.”