“Marakanda” Light Skirt

A long and elegant pencil skirt , slit at the back. A meeting between Faso dan fani from Burkina Faso , Royal Thai silk and an ikat from Uzbekistan .

It was by composing this range of fabrics with vibrant patterns and soft colors that I was inspired to create this unique piece. And before having the honor of reworking these beautiful fabrics in my studio, I spent years collecting and studying the fabrics and the stories they tell. This deep interest in combining textiles of all kinds is at the heart of my creative process.

The blue and lilac lined fabric at the front of the skirt is an artisanal cotton weave called Faso dan fani or "woven loincloth". It was made in the Gonghin district of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, by Lydie Nikiéma, an artisan weaver who makes treasures from her family courtyard.

The magnificent purple fabrics , placed on the front sides of the skirt and on the middle back, are artisanal weavings of Royal Thai silk . They were woven and dyed by hand in Thailand, at the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum in Bangkok. I had the pleasure of receiving these incredible silks in 2019, when I was invited to present my collection at the Thai Silk Fashion Week in Bangkok.

On the sides of the back of the skirt, another artisanal weaving called Ikat from Uzbekistan , provides the link at the crossroads between Asia and Africa.

The cut of the model is rather adjusted and close to the body, which has the effect of lengthening the silhouette and highlighting the curves of the body. Its pretty slit cutout at the back allows you to walk and move freely. It can easily be worn with a crop top or a wrap top from my collection, flat sandals or even high heels.

Made with great care and finesse, this unique piece , entirely handmade , required twelve hours of work, from the research of the fabrics through the composition of the patchwork to the manufacturing stages.

List of handmade textiles:

• Faso dan fani, hand-woven and hand-dyed cotton textile in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
• Artisan Royal Thai Silk from Bangkok
• Hand woven and dyed Uzbek Ikat cotton.
• Size L - 42
• Tall
• Ankle length
• High-end finishes
• Dry clean or delicately by cold hand
• Iron at low temperature