SCAD FASH PRESENTS IMANE AYISSI FROM AFRICA TO THE WORLD

ATLANTA, GEORGIA — The Savannah College of Art and Design is proud to present Imane Ayissi: From Africa to the World, opening Wednesday, Sept. 18, at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film in Atlanta. Curated by SCAD FASH creative director Rafael Gomes, From Africa to the World is the first museum exhibition honoring the work of Cameroonian designer Imane Ayissi. For more than two decades, Ayissi has amplified the sartorial heritage of Africa on the international stage, innovating garments that challenge the Western-oriented world of haute couture. The exhibition presents more than 40 impeccable creations that interpret the beauty and diversity of Ayissi's home continent, contextualizing his role within Africa's larger contributions to fashion while expanding understandings of global luxury.

Ayissi's exquisite garments prominently feature handwoven Kente cloth from Ghana, Obom bark cloth from Cameroon, and Faso Dan Fani cloth from Burkina Faso, elegantly blended with Lyon silk and natural fibers including raffia from Madagascar and other sustainable materials. Casting African aesthetic traditions in contemporary silhouettes, Ayissi explores lost continental histories while embodying the current cultural movement that celebrates a contemporary African context through art, design, and music.

"SCAD warmly welcomes Imane Ayissi for his international solo exhibition debut at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film this fall. Ayissi fearlessly weaves African and French traditions into creations that celebrate sustainability, challenge orthodoxy, and dance with color. Experience the magic of Ayissi up close — an international icon, only at SCAD FASH."

PAULA WALLACE | SCAD President and Founder

Ayissi was born in Cameroon to a family of artists and athletes. His father was a champion boxer, his mother was Miss Cameroon 1960, and his brothers and sisters are dancers and singers. As a child, Ayissi showed an early interest in fashion design by deconstructing his mother's elaborate pageant gowns. A trained dancer, he toured internationally as a company member of the Cameroon National Ballet. After settling in Paris, Ayissi began working as a model for legendary fashion houses such as Dior, Lanvin, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino, while developing his own namesake brand, which he formally launched in 2004. Immediately earning high praise and international acclaim, Ayissi was invited to join the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode as a guest member in 2020, becoming the first sub-Saharan designer featured on the haute couture calendar.

"I am very honored that SCAD has chosen to dedicate an exhibition to my work, the first exhibition by a major fashion museum entirely devoted to the work of an African designer. I would like to thank Paula Wallace, Rafael Gomes, and SCAD FASH for their enthusiasm and pioneering vision. This exhibition traces the essence of my creative process and will introduce the public to the rich African heritage and culture that inspires my work. I hope that visitors will study and discover the beauty of contemporary and creative Africa."

IMANE AYISSI

To commemorate this special exhibition, SCAD FASH will host an exclusive VIP reception for museum members featuring a conversation with Ayissi on the influence of his African heritage and his design philosophy. SCAD students from a variety of top-ranked degree programs — including fashion, fashion marketing and management, luxury and brand management, and more — will also have the opportunity to engage with the designer at a dedicated student reception and class visits.

"We are honored to spotlight Imane Ayissi at SCAD FASH in his first solo museum exhibition — a celebration of his contributions to fashion and his elevation of traditional African textiles within the luxury space. It is incredible what he has accomplished on a global level, showcasing the culturally rich textile and sartorial heritage of Africa on the international stage, and we are thrilled to bring his singular artistry to SCAD students and the community."

RAFAEL GOMES | SCAD FASH creative director

Imane Ayissi: From Africa to the World is on view Sept. 18, 2024–Feb. 23, 2025, at SCAD FASH Atlanta. For more information, visit scadfash.org.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Imane Ayissi was born in Cameroon to a family of artists and sportsmen. His father was a champion boxer, his mother was Miss Cameroon 1960, and his brothers and sisters are dancers and singers. As a member of the Cameroon National Ballet, he toured internationally while also working as a model for brands including Cardin, Dior, Lanvin, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino, as well as appearing in various editorials and campaigns with renowned photographers. Ayissi became interested in fashion at a young age, making garments for his mother and later for one of the largest ateliers in Cameroon. Relocating to Paris, he began designing small collections and made-to-measure pieces for private clients. In 2010, Ayissi debuted at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. In 2020, he became the first sub-Saharan designer to be invited to show on the official Haute Couture calendar in Paris as a guest member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Ayissi focuses on ethical and sustainable production with a deep respect for traditional craftwork, almost exclusively using natural and organic materials. He supports various skills-training projects fostering economic growth in Cameroon and throughout Africa. Visit imane-ayissi.com.

SCAD FASH MUSEUM OF FASHION + FILM

SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film celebrates fashion as a universal language, garments as important conduits of identity, and film as an immersive and memorable medium. Situated within SCAD Atlanta, the museum presents dynamic exhibitions, captivating films, and enticing events that mine the rich and storied legacies of fashion history to inspire contemporary designers and future innovations. Supported by the university's strong global presence and connections to renowned contemporary fashion designers, filmmakers, and creative professionals around the world, SCAD FASH is an integral part of the SCAD educational experience.

Like the award-winning SCAD Museum of Art, SCAD FASH serves as a creative resource for students of all ages and a wellspring of inspiration for visitors. Through programming that engages the university's broad array of academic disciplines, SCAD FASH offers diverse exhibitions, films, installations, performances, and events to enliven and inspire the greater community year-round. Each program is designed to engage and appeal to visitors with varied backgrounds and interests, from textiles and jewelry to photography and film. Past exhibitions have featured the work of designers Christian Siriano, Robert Wun, Ruth E. Carter, Azzedine Alaïa, Pierre Cardin, Carolina Herrera, Mary Katrantzou, Guo Pei, and Oscar de la Renta. Photographic exhibitions have featured the work of Robert Fairer, Albert Watson, Jonathan Becker, Bill Cunningham, and Omar Victor Diop. Exhibitions are accompanied by curated film series that complement programming. Past SCAD commissioned films include Pierre Cardin: Le Futur, The First Monday in May, Funny Face, The Leopard, and Ovation for Oscar, among others. Visit scadfash.org.

SCAD: THE UNIVERSITY FOR CREATIVE CAREERS

SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 17,500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 100 countries. The future-minded SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and myriad advanced learning resources, affording students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university's renowned research lab and prototype generator. SCAD has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. A 2023 study found that 99% of SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more. Visit scad.edu.