" I've realized some crazy projects, but now I have one goal: to make haute couture with the mothers of my neighborhood . Mossi Traoré is a designer-entrepreneur who is both determined and tender. And this award, now 39 and well established with his Mossi brand and his school Les Ateliers d'Alix, is, for him, recognition from his town.

" I was born in Paris. So, this award is a personal satisfaction and also a way of paying tribute to my parents, to those who, like them, are garbage collectors or cleaners. It's a way of saying: ' You held the broom and now your children are the pride of Paris. - Mossi Traoré

The man who discovered fashion by "nicking clothes " has made commitment the backbone of his work. He enrolled at Modart International, but didn't finish the course. He preferred to devote his third year to experimentation: an internship at the Opéra Garnier, apprenticeships with an Indian seamstress at the Gare du Nord and an African couturier in the suburbs, and trips to Milan and India. On his return, he contacted Janie Samet, author of Chère Haute Couture, after finding her number in the phone book! It was through her that he met Didier Grumbach, who offered him a fashion show. In two months, he set up his company, designed, produced and presented a collection, but " it was a dud ". The year is 2011. Mossi has a hard time coming to terms with this failure. But he bounced back, set up his own school and relaunched his label in 2017. " Today, my fashion is driven by the desire to be accessible, to train, to pass on through my clothes, my school and socio-cultural actions with artists. Currently, I'm
also focused on innovation to transform industrial waste into new textile fibers.
" A new territory of commitment to conquer.

Mossi © Félix Marye

Projects

Michel Dupré