# Alphadi

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**Alphadi** (born **Sidahmed Seidnaly**; 1 June 1957)[1] is a notable [Nigerien](/source/Demographics_of_Niger) fashion designer often known as the "Magician of the Desert". He is Mauritanian, from an upper caste lineage,[1] on both his parents' sides. Alphadi was born in [Timbuktu](/source/Timbuktu), [Mali](/source/Mali), but moved to his parents' native [Niger](/source/Niger) at a young age.[2]

Alphadi studied at Cardon Savard Studios in Paris,[3] started his label in 1984,[1] and his first haute couture line was released in 1985 at the Paris International Tourism Tradeshow. His line has since extended into [sportswear](/source/Sportswear_(fashion)) and [perfume](/source/Perfume). The Alphadi line, which has 'Complexe Alphadi' boutiques in [Niamey](/source/Niamey) (on Rue Vox),[1] [Ivory Coast](/source/Ivory_Coast) and [Paris](/source/Paris).

In 1998 Alphadi was one of the three African fashion designers to win the [Principal Prince Claus Award](/source/Prince_Claus_Awards); the other two were [Tetteh Adzedu](/source/Tetteh_Adzedu) from [Ghana](/source/Ghana) and [Oumou Sy](/source/Oumou_Sy).[4][5]

In 1998, he created the first FIMA, the International Festival of African Fashion which was located in Niger.[6][7] This event allowed African designers to come together with other international designers such as [Yves Saint Laurent](/source/Yves_Saint_Laurent_(designer)), [Kenzo](/source/Kenzo_(brand)), [Jean Paul Gaultier](/source/Jean_Paul_Gaultier) and [Paco Rabanne](/source/Paco_Rabanne). Since then, the event has been going on every 2 years.[8][9]

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.[1] He is married, a father of six children.[1]

Alphadi was named [UNESCO artist for peace](/source/UNESCO_Artist_for_Peace) in January 2016[10] and [UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador](/source/UNESCO_Goodwill_Ambassador) for African innovation and creation in 2022.[11]

## Awards

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

1. Mongalvy, Sophie (2011-06-01). ["Niger's Alphadi pushes African fashion to global scene"](https://mg.co.za/article/2011-06-01-nigers-alphadi-pushes-african-fashion-to-global-scene/) (in en-ZA). *The Mail & Guardian*. Retrieved 2024-09-12.

1. Adam Levin. [The art of African shopping](https://books.google.com/books?id=nz53Gx5V3SQC)[dead link] Struik (2005) ISBN 978-1-77007-070-7 p.174

1. Prince Claus Fund (ed) [The Art of African Fashion](https://books.google.com/books?id=OjYkAQAAIAAJ). Trenton, NJ: Africa World; London: Turnaround (1999). ISBN 0-86543-726-2. p. 208

1. Trouw (10 December 1998) [*Mode kan Afrika óók een belangrijke impuls geven*](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) (in Dutch)

1. Prince Claus Fund, [Journal #2](http://www.princeclausfund.org/files/docs/PCFJournal2.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021311/http://www.princeclausfund.org/files/docs/PCFJournal2.pdf) 2014-11-29 at the Wayback Machine

1. Adam Levin. "Alphadi's Folly" in [Wonder Safaris](https://books.google.com/books?id=JjwT4WOW7pkC). Struik (2003) ISBN 978-1-77007-242-8 pp.172-175

1. [The Tuareg Prince Designer – Alphadi](http://www.jamati.com/online/style/the-tuareg-prince-designer-alphadi/). Roxana Bangura, Jamati Online. Friday, October 12, 2007

1. [Alphadi: 100 createurs qui on choisi France](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). French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr

1. [Festival international mode africaine](https://www.france24.com/france24Public/fr/archives/nouvelles/culture/20071126-CULTURE-festival-international-mode-africaine.html). France24, 2007-11-26.

1. ["Alphadi, le plus panafricain de tous les panafricains"](https://www.unesco.org/fr/articles/alphadi-le-plus-panafricain-de-tous-les-panafricains?TSPD_101_R0=080713870fab2000b4408256d5cb4227b72557351b72b497fdc8fa81ad7f980c3aba02cd01f7a40f08cefb98151430008a05b9306a5f6438b6fa451fc9ccba343a195ad9b0e498c2520092d5eb7570d9ab711e627dbb7ee10411769d87114ea6) (in French). *UNESCO*. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

1. Newspaper, The Peninsula (2023-03-08). ["Katara to organise Qatari, African traditional costumes show"](https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/08/03/2023/katara-to-organise-qatari-african-traditional-costumes-show). *thepeninsulaqatar.com*. Retrieved 2023-09-12.

## Sources

- [Alphadi Profile](http://www.africanpainters.com/shop/shop.php?c=viewproduct&pid=14&cat=38&sid=sid17c05601f441b0530025b6cbeee798dd/)
- [Creative Africa – Fashion](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)
- 360° – GÉO (episode, TV5) [Alphadi, the prince of haute couture](http://www.tv5.org/cms/Asie/programmes/p-4724-s4-z1-lg3-360-GEO.htm?prg_id=306015) Directed by Roberto Lugones, 2004. Country: Germany / France. Running time : 52'

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alphadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphadi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphadi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.