La Gallerie du 19 M- Sunu Diggante
One Friday afternoon in summer, feeling worn out from working from home and dealing with everyone else's issues but my own, I decided to head into town. My plan was to spend some quiet time away from everything and everyone, doing something just for me. I chose to visit the "Sunu Diggante" (What Binds Us) exhibition at Le 19 M, held at the Museum Théodore Monod in Dakar.
For those who don't know, Le 19 M , created by the famous fashion house Chanel, is a building that brings together several artisans specializing in fashion-related arts in France, such as embroidery, feather making, hat making, and weaving. Over the years, Chanel has acquired several houses with these specialties to revive French savoir-faire and avoid outsourcing. The building's name combines 19, Coco Chanel's birthdate, and M, representing the French words for fashion (Mode) and Métiers d'Art. Le 19M is more than a building; it's also a gallery.
Eyelet skirt - Tailored made
Shoes - DeChezDidi
Bag - Gracias Boutique
Le 19M partnered with the Museum of IFAN to host an exhibition in Dakar for an entire month, from June to July 2024. This is their second collaboration. The first was after the Chanel Métiers d'Art fashion show in Dakar in December 2022. That exhibition took place at the Théodore Monod Museum in January 2023 and featured several Senegalese fashion designers and artists. Alongside the exhibition, they organized various talks and activities for the public, such as embroidery and textile dyeing classes. While I didn't attend the classes, I did go to one talk.
This year, I missed out on these opportunities again, but I was determined to see the exhibition. I arrived just 30 minutes before closing. The exhibition space, located at the back of the museum near the garden, was nearly empty, allowing me to browse undisturbed. The open space on the first floor displayed art all around. Twice, a lady attendant came by to explain the exhibition to me, providing an opportunity to learn more about it and exchange views on Chanel and the Senegalese artisans. The art installations were a pure joy to behold. As a fashion designer, I found the intricate designs inspiring. I was so tempted to touch the pieces to feel the materials used, wondering if they could work as clothing.
I was mesmerized to see up close the work of the maisons I have heard so much about, such as Lesage. Their craftsmanship was truly beautiful. Chanel designs often seem banal to me at first glance, but once I see how they are made, I end up being impressed and understanding why they are so costly.
Our own fashion designers are equally impressive. I have long admired the work of L'Artisane, although I have yet to purchase any of her pieces. Her art is always a delight to see. She has created an aesthetic that remains true to her roots while also being commercially viable, a challenging feat in today's market. Her work at the exhibition was both striking and whimsical, particularly with the enormous teddy bear made of brocade.
L'Artisane by Khadija Aisha Ba
After exploring the exhibit upstairs, I went down to check out the pop-up boutique curated by Ze-Fashion Curator. The boutique featured a variety of clothes, shoes, and bags from local fashion designers. I fell in love with the military jackets adorned with patches from Selly Raby Kane and a beautiful bag from The Kaak Society on display. However, I didn't shop—perhaps I was a bit apprehensive about asking for the prices. Nevertheless, I am determined to own both items someday soon.
I spent a few quiet hours in the city, focusing on myself. I hadn't felt like I had time for myself in weeks, with family events, illnesses, taking care of the boys during their summer vacation, and work all piling up. I needed a break, and this visit to the gallery was exactly what the doctor ordered, even though it lasted less than two hours.
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