The story of a simple tailor who became the fashion designer of Africa's leaders زعماء

After starting his career as a small-scale tailor in a neighborhood in Abidjan, Paté Ouedraogo of Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso has become a tailor of African heads of state thanks to his ambition and perseverance. the continent.

"50 years ago, I never thought I would get here," the man known as "Pate O" said during a recent press conference in one of Abidjan's big hotels.

It is amazing".

With his tall, slender body and the colorful shirts that made him famous, the 70-year-old remains humble despite the global recognition that brought him to collaborate with the famous French house Dior in 2019.

The designer, born in 1950 during the French colonial era in Upper Volta, which later became Burkina Faso, immigrated at the age of 19 to Ivory Coast, which was witnessing an economic “miracle,” and his only increase was the “blessing of his parents,” as he tells in his soon-to-be autobiography.

Like many of his compatriots, he initially sought to work on cocoa plantations, but was quickly promoted by his emaciation.

He then moved to Abidjan, where he began working as a tailor in a small workshop which he rented for a few francs in Treichville, the popular center of the Ivory Coast.

Refining his skills over the years and arming himself with patience is the key to success.

In 1987, he became famous after he won a local competition called "Sizo d'Or" (Golden Scissors).

Ten years later, the late South African President Nelson Mandela wore a Pate O T-shirt during an official visit to France.

The choice of a symbol of the struggle against apartheid had one of Bate's designs or a huge impact on his name, as in the following days customers flocked to his store and flooded it with orders.

His clients list includes some of the biggest names in Africa, including Moroccan King Mohammed VI, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, the richest African, in addition to many art stars.

It operates paté or stores in about 10 African countries and employs about 60 people.

Bate, who is married and father of three, regularly visits his business in Trishville, where he was met by a team from Agence France-Presse.

Dozens work on the site, taking on various responsibilities.

All the clothes are made entirely by hand, using some old sewing machines.

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