This book traces the extraordinary journey of Pathé’O, known for combining cultural commitment with entrepreneurial creativity. The fabrics and cuts crafted by a man who once tailored shirts for Nelson Mandela are considered ‘emancipatory statements’ according to NZZ.

Pathé’O’s fabrics are his trademark, and like no other, he is skilled in fusing global fashion trends with the breadth and depth of African textiles and knowledge, thus keeping the local heritage alive and continuously contributing to its evolution. The book published by Edition Patrick Frey is bound in fabric, which was produced by Pathé’O’s dyers for this purpose.

The craftsmanship of his creations enable a better understanding of the spectrum of fashion in West Africa, merging a global present with a rich cultural heritage. The book explores topics ranging from the fashion and textile industry to labor migration, cultural heritage, politics and showbiz, while bridging the past and present.

Pathé’O is an African...