Alphadi: The Desert Prince
Courtesy of Alphadi
Photo below: Designer Seidnaly Sidhamed alias ALPHADI on the runway Haute Couture Fall 2004 show
Photo courtesy of Alphadi

Seidnaly Sidhamed, alias ALPHADI, was born on June 1, 1957 in Timbuktu (Mali) to parents who worked as traders. In Niger, he grew up surrounded by his eight brothers and sisters. Very soon, he began amusing himself by putting makeup onto the faces of his mother and sisters. He would spend hours looking at Hindu films studying the makeup of actresses. Already he was intrigued by everything that could enhance and better showcase feminine beauty. However in his country, fashion was taboo to boys.

His fathered envisioned for him a career in medicine or in the family business. Having graduated from high school, Alphadi decided to pursue tourism studies in Paris. This provided him the chance to get closer to the world of fashion by attending fashion shows and by taking night classes at the Chardon Savard atelier. At the end of his studies, he returned to Niger to accept a director’s position at the ministry of tourism. His passion for fashion did not stop there. While performing his duties at the ministry, he continued to perfect his skills in fashion by receiving in Niger professors from Chardon Savard.

In 1983, he decided to dedicate himself entirely to fashion. In 1985, he created his haute couture line that he presented in his first fashion show organized in Paris during the International Tourism Tradeshow. EUREKA!!! From that moment on, Alphadi has raked up success after success. There is no corner in the world unfamiliar to his fashion shows: Niamey, Abidjan, Paris, Bruxelles, Nez York, Washington, Quebec, Tokyo, etc.

In 1987, the Federation Française de la Couture et du Prêt-à-Porter bestowed upon him the award of Best African Designer.

Twenty years of career in fashion later along with fashion shows organized all over the world, with boutiques in Africa, the United States, Europe and most importantly, an internationally respected brand, Alphadi is without a doubt one of the most well known African designers from the continent.

At 47, well seasoned, warm and very affable, this desert child is a ready talker when it comes to his domain. Speak to him of fashion, and he comes to life. This artist firmly believes that fashion and culture are the industries that can lift Africa to the ranks of prosperous nations. All one has to do is to believe and to want it.

The mirror image of his native Niger, Alphadi knows the value of the rich traditions that nourish men. He finds his inspiration in the diverseness of African cultures. His creations are forever respectful of Africa’s identities. As a personal mission, he seeks to bring to the world of couture the vast colors of Africa.

Alphadi’s originality is axed in the traditions of the people from Songhai, Zarma, Bororo, Haoussa and Touareg. His insolent style allies itself with audacious lines and forms, creating a balance between the desert and western influences where he gathered his first experiences.

In 1999, Alphadi widened his label by creating along side of his haute couture line a new, more sportswear line called “Alphadi Bis”. He also created with Wrangler “Alphadi Jeans” for a younger crowd. And in 2000, he launched l’Air d’Alphadi, the very first perfume by an African couturier.

Haute Couture Fall 2004 (Photo courtesy of Alphadi)

Website: www.alphadi.com

Address:
PARIS
Boutique Alphadi
13, rue Paul Bert
75011 Paris
FRANCE
Tél: +33 (0)1 43 67 84 95
Fax: +33 (0)1 43 67 34 24

NIAMEY
Alphadi
BP12873 Niamey
Niger
Tél: 227 73 29 80
Fax: 227 73 29 80

Press Contact for
ALPHADI:
BEATRICE MANSON
19, rue le Peletier
75009 Paris, France
Tel: 33 1 44 83 97 38
Fax: 33 1 53 34 06 38