On November 22, 2025, at the French Embassy Residence in Dakar, ALGUEYE premiered Transformation—a couture showcase that did more than present a new collection. It opened the season with intention, setting the creative rhythm and emotional standard for Dakar Fashion Week, happening December 3 to 7, 2025. The show revealed a brand stepping fully into its power, placing craftsmanship, identity, and artistic devotion at the heart of its narrative.
Founded by Senegalese designer Abdou Lahad Gueye, ALGUEYE has long embodied a confident and contemporary vision of African elegance. With Transformation, the designer reached a new level of mastery. Some garments required more than 600 hours of embroidery, embellishment, and hand-finishing, offering a reminder that true couture is an act of patience, skill, and reverence. This is fashion shaped with intention—pieces created to endure beyond trends and speak to the wearer’s sense of identity.
ALGUEYE’s signature lies in precision. Clean lines, sculpted silhouettes, and detailed construction come together to form garments that feel both authentic and boldly modern. In this collection, fine tailoring grounds the entire aesthetic, giving each piece a sense of purpose and clarity. Fabrics move with ease and fluidity, shaped by an understanding of the body and the rhythms of daily life.
The collection draws deeply from Senegal’s artisanal heritage. Hand embroidery brings texture to minimalist cuts, while ornate embellishment elevates even the simplest forms. Every stitch reveals the influence of the weavers, artisans, and tailors whose expertise forms the backbone of the brand. Their skill does not fade into the background—in Transformation, it becomes the story.
At its core, Transformation is an exploration of change, of the continuous evolution that shapes both material and identity. The collection traces the journey of a garment from raw fiber to finished form. It honors the quiet, vital work of the artisans who spin, weave, embroider, and assemble, and it celebrates the designer who brings vision to structure. Finally, it acknowledges the wearer—the individual who completes the cycle by choosing clothing that reflects who they are and who they aspire to be.
The show becomes a meditation on rebirth. It reflects a universal truth: that transformation is not simply an aesthetic gesture, but a natural part of life. In highlighting this journey, ALGUEYE invites the audience to view fashion not as decoration, but as a shared language of meaning, emotion, and power.
Setting the Stage for Dakar Fashion Week
As Dakar prepares to welcome designers from across the continent and beyond, Transformation offers an ambitious and striking introduction. It positions Dakar Fashion Week within a global conversation about craftsmanship, cultural relevance, and the growing influence of African couture.
ALGUEYE’s work illustrates why Dakar continues to be a leading voice in shaping the future of fashion. The show’s attention to detail, refined construction, and extraordinary investment of time reflect a dedication that goes far beyond aesthetics. It is a commitment to honoring local heritage while shaping a distinctly contemporary vision. In this way, Transformation becomes both a celebration and a challenge—a reminder that fashion rooted in culture and craft can also be inventive, sophisticated, and universal.
ALGUEYE’s philosophy is shaped by a deep respect for ethics, durability, and authenticity. Materials are thoughtfully selected and sourced in ways that elevate local know-how. Designs are created to last, resisting the fleeting nature of trends. Each garment expresses sincerity and individuality, celebrating the beauty of those who wear it and the traditions that inspire it.
These values run through Transformation with clarity and strength. They are visible in the precision of a tailored seam, the weight of a hand-beaded panel, the fluidity of a silhouette built for movement, and the emotional resonance of a collection designed to be both lived in and remembered.
As the countdown to Dakar Fashion Week begins, ALGUEYE stands as an emblem of what African fashion can achieve when artistry, heritage, and innovation move together. Transformation is not just a show; it is a declaration of intent and a celebration of what happens when creation becomes a collective journey.
In Dakar, transformation is more than a theme. It is a reminder of the power of reinvention, the brilliance of local craftsmanship, and the endless possibilities that emerge when fashion becomes a reflection of identity and hope.
