{{short description|Nigerian fashion designer (born June 1957)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Alphadi |image = |image_caption= | birth_name = Sidahmed Seidnaly | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|06|01}} |birth_place =Timbuktu, Mali | occupation =Fashion Designer }} '''Alphadi''' (born '''Sidahmed Seidnaly'''; 1 June 1957)<ref name="afp20110601">{{Cite web |last=Mongalvy |first=Sophie |date=2011-06-01 |title=Niger's Alphadi pushes African fashion to global scene |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2011-06-01-nigers-alphadi-pushes-african-fashion-to-global-scene/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}</ref> is a notable Nigerien fashion designer often known as the "Magician of the Desert". He is Mauritanian, from an upper caste lineage,<ref name=afp20110601 /> on both his parents' sides. Alphadi was born in Timbuktu, Mali, but moved to his parents' native Niger at a young age.<ref>Adam Levin. [https://books.google.com/books?id=nz53Gx5V3SQC The art of African shopping]{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Struik (2005) {{ISBN|978-1-77007-070-7}} p.174</ref>
thumb Alphadi studied at Cardon Savard Studios in Paris,<ref>Prince Claus Fund (ed) [https://books.google.com/books?id=OjYkAQAAIAAJ The Art of African Fashion]. Trenton, NJ: Africa World; London: Turnaround (1999). {{ISBN|0-86543-726-2}}. p. 208</ref> started his label in 1984,<ref name=afp20110601 /> and his first haute couture line was released in 1985 at the Paris International Tourism Tradeshow. His line has since extended into sportswear and perfume. The Alphadi line, which has 'Complexe Alphadi' boutiques in Niamey (on Rue Vox),<ref name=afp20110601 /> Ivory Coast and Paris.
In 1998 Alphadi was one of the three African fashion designers to win the Principal Prince Claus Award; the other two were Tetteh Adzedu from Ghana and Oumou Sy.<ref>Trouw (10 December 1998) [http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/5009/Archief/archief/article/detail/2591582/1998/12/10/Mode-kan-Afrika-ook-een-belangrijke-impuls-geven-Winnaars-negeerden-lokstem-van-Parijs.dhtml ''Mode kan Afrika óók een belangrijke impuls geven''] {{in lang|nl}}</ref><ref>Prince Claus Fund, [http://www.princeclausfund.org/files/docs/PCFJournal2.pdf Journal #2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021311/http://www.princeclausfund.org/files/docs/PCFJournal2.pdf |date=2014-11-29 }}</ref>
In 1998, he created the first FIMA, the International Festival of African Fashion which was located in Niger.<ref>Adam Levin. "Alphadi's Folly" in [https://books.google.com/books?id=JjwT4WOW7pkC Wonder Safaris]. Struik (2003) {{ISBN|978-1-77007-242-8}} pp.172-175</ref><ref>[http://www.jamati.com/online/style/the-tuareg-prince-designer-alphadi/ The Tuareg Prince Designer – Alphadi]. Roxana Bangura, Jamati Online. Friday, October 12, 2007</ref> This event allowed African designers to come together with other international designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Jean Paul Gaultier and Paco Rabanne. Since then, the event has been going on every 2 years.<ref>[http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/france_829/label-france_5343/les-numeros-label-france_5570/lf55-createurs-venus-ailleurs_5856/cent-createurs-qui-ont-choisi-france_5857/mode-karl-lagerfeld-alphadi-kenzo-louis-vuitton..._17203.html Alphadi: 100 createurs qui on choisi France]. French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr</ref><ref>[https://www.france24.com/france24Public/fr/archives/nouvelles/culture/20071126-CULTURE-festival-international-mode-africaine.html Festival international mode africaine]. France24, 2007-11-26.</ref>
In 2007, he launched a new contest during the FIMA and Hip-Hop FIMA Contest.
Alphadi maintains production facilities in Niamey and Morocco, and splits his time between homes in Niamey and Paris.<ref name=afp20110601 /> He is married, a father of six children.<ref name=afp20110601 />
Alphadi was named UNESCO artist for peace in January 2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alphadi, le plus panafricain de tous les panafricains |url=https://www.unesco.org/fr/articles/alphadi-le-plus-panafricain-de-tous-les-panafricains?TSPD_101_R0=080713870fab2000b4408256d5cb4227b72557351b72b497fdc8fa81ad7f980c3aba02cd01f7a40f08cefb98151430008a05b9306a5f6438b6fa451fc9ccba343a195ad9b0e498c2520092d5eb7570d9ab711e627dbb7ee10411769d87114ea6 |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=UNESCO |language=fr}}</ref> and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for African innovation and creation in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newspaper |first=The Peninsula |date=2023-03-08 |title=Katara to organise Qatari, African traditional costumes show |url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/08/03/2023/katara-to-organise-qatari-african-traditional-costumes-show |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=thepeninsulaqatar.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Awards == {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title |- |2001 |''Chevalier de l'Ordre de Mérite de la France'' |- |1999 |''Kora Fashion Award'' – South Africa |- |1987 |''Meilleur Styliste Africain'' – French Federation of Couture and Prêt à Porter |- |1997 |''Principal Prince Claus Award'' – Prince Claus Fund |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Sources == *[http://www.africanpainters.com/shop/shop.php?c=viewproduct&pid=14&cat=38&sid=sid17c05601f441b0530025b6cbeee798dd/ Alphadi Profile] *[http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france_159/label-france_2554/label-france-issues_2555/label-france-no.-61_2557/feature-africa-on-the-move_2559/creative-africa_2840.html?var_recherche=Alphadi#so_2 Creative Africa – Fashion] *360° – GÉO (episode, TV5) [http://www.tv5.org/cms/Asie/programmes/p-4724-s4-z1-lg3-360-GEO.htm?prg_id=306015 Alphadi, the prince of haute couture] Directed by Roberto Lugones, 2004. Country: Germany / France. Running time : 52'
== External links == <!-- Per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only -->
* {{Fashiondesigner|seidnaly-sidhamed|Seidnaly Sidhamed}}
{{Authority control (arts)}}
Category:French fashion designers Category:Nigerien fashion designers Category:People from Timbuktu Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Malian emigrants to Niger