Financed brands
Yalerri is an Ivorian ready-to-wear brand blending modern style and traditional prints.
Launched in 2005 by designer Pacy Kadio-Morokro, Yalerri means “what you wear” in Senufo, a West African language. The brand emanates a timeless style and simplicity that speaks to every woman. The Yalerri wardrobe is made of workwear, cocktails dresses, and casual chic clothing.
Beyond her clothing brand, Pacy’s ambition is to participate in the structuration of a real textile industry in Côte d’Ivoire, through the creation of production facilities and training.
Ysand is a brand that is all about women’s empowerment.
After obtaining a degree in accounting and management, designer Isabelle Andoh Vieyra spent two years at the ESMOD fashion school in Paris, where she decided to turn her passion into a business.
In 2006, she returned to Abidjan to work on her brand. Over the years, she has built a faithful clientèle composed of women of various age groups and social backgrounds.
Ever since joining the program, Ysand has launched a new collection, “BE FREE”, which celebrates the individual’s journey toward empowerment, and the fight to free oneself from mental, physical, and societal limitations.
Ysand is one of the brands benefiting from our Birimian x OBA program for Ivorian cultural excellence.
Olivia Perez is a pioneer in the Ivorian fashion scene.
From a very young age, designer Sophia Schaub-Vincent was interested in sewing and expressed the will to learn from her mother how to make her own clothing. As early as age 10, she was an apprentice in her mother’s atelier.
As she grew up, she began sewing for her classmates. Later in life, she became a banker and realized that classic office wear was not meant to sublimate African women’s body shapes.
In 2014, she created the Olivia Perez brand, whose ultimate mission is to enhance the natural figure of the active African woman through contemporary garments made from rich local textiles.
Ibrahim Fernandez is an Ivorian fashion designer. He started his career by breathing new life into old or previously worn clothing. Lead by his imagination and creativity, he slowly embraced a career in fashion design.
At first, he designed clothing for his brand “Zango”, which means stylish in Ivorian slang.
With time, he refined his vision and his craft and founded the eponymous label: Ibrahim Fernandez.
The designer creates both occasion wear and relaxed looks for an afropolitan clientèle.
Ever since entering the Birimian x OBA program, Ibrahim Fernandez has been able to open a second store in Abidjan, dedicated to his couture activities.
Dadi Kouakou, is one of the most talented Ivorian visual artist of his generation. He has worked with several local magazines and brands, and has also been commissioned by art galleries to direct projects related to exhibitions.
In 2023, he was featured in The Guardian, with a series of visuals created with the World Press Photo Foundation and highlighting the stories of the seven great families of the N’zima Kotokô tribe.
Nuits Balnéaires uses his talents to celebrate African heritage and change the global narrative on Africa’s history and traditions.
Nature & Traditions is an Ivorian cosmetics brands, that promotes self-confidence and natural beauty.
Launched in 2014 by Sandrine Assouan Kouao, the brand innovates by offering.
skin therapy and beauty products made from all natural ingredients. Sandrine’s objective is to encourage African to embrace their natural beauty, and to fight against the phenomenon of skin bleaching which is rampant on the continent.
Sana’té is an Ivorian brand that promotes the use of natural ingredients and herbal medicine, which also integrates eco-friendly practices into its business.
Launched in 2018 by Sandrine Barbieri, a microbiologist, Sana’té promotes local medicinal plants. The brand markets infusions, different blends of honey and natural soaps.
Lyba Baobab is a fruit juice and organic products factory.
Through its key ingredients, the Baobab, harvested in Côte d’Ivoire, the brand promotes a wide range of healthy, preservative-free products.
