Dear alumni, 

The different International Groups of the IFM Alumni have shared in recent weeks testimonies on the impact of the global health crisis on their lives and on their professional activity.

Stéphanie Morou (IFM e-MBA 2006) who leads the IFM Alumni Africa & Caribbean Group shares with us her experiences, analyses and shows us the promising signs emanating from the most important actors for these regions.

Dear alumni,

We all have been overwhelmed by the lockdown and today we still have to move forward step by step in these strange times.

Like many, first there was the worry about the pandemic, and then the amazement of the lockdown measures. For me, my immediate concern went to fashion sector in Africa,  when in the same time in France, we were talking about the impact of such measures on the economy.

After a quick survey among my friends artists and designers, variously spread between Morocco, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria ; which means, North, South, East and West Africa, French and English speaking countries, I realized that everywhere there, the lockdown was almost impossible to observe and it was more a question of curfews.

Over there, messages about the situation and the importance of barrier gestures were circulating via radio, public displays and social networks ; and everyone was called upon to take its responsibility. It must be said that the threat of a humanitarian disaster, as a result of the combination of a health crisis with an economic crisis, is real.

Earlier than in France, I received filmed testimonies by phone or stories via Instagram of the mobilization from my creative friends and others around the production of masks,  the distribution to hospitals and to the population in the streets. I share with you, for example, the video sent to me by Adama Paris in the very first days of confinement in March (to watch below). Very quickly, the protective mask, the work of pure individual initiatives, became a fashion accessory. 

There was an effect: "But what can we do? » And hop, I spoke on a webzine, on linkedIn, on a podcast and launched the hashtag #jesoustienslacréation #supportafricancreativity but despite everything, the feeling of powerlessness is oppressive from France.

Imane Ayissi, a great Cameroonian couturier, in duo with Jean-Marc Chauve teacher at IFM, both based in Paris and recently invited to the Haute Couture calendar, also very quickly shared with me their worry about this fragile and unsustainable economy. Then came the news of their involvement with others and contribution at their level around the virtual auction, called 'La Mode s'engage', organized by the Federation of Haute Couture and the IFM from May 1st to 4th.

And still I note, a big difference not in impact but perhaps in sustainability over time between individual movements when they are financially supported and framed by federations and institutions. In short, this is a subject that deserves to be observed and discussed further; so it is up to you to share your testimonies as well, from somewhere between Africa, the Caribbean, France or simply the South of the planet.

For your future contributions, thank you.

Stéphanie Prinet Morou  

Head of Africa/Caribbean Cluster