Steeven Kodjia is a visionary, creative director, and the founder of the Parisian-based fashion line, French Deal. For French Deal’s latest collection, Volume 4, Kodjia released a fashion film that looks into his heritage and inspiration for his clothing brand. The film explores a culture that’s long been overlooked and brings attention to the region’s native wear and indigenous materials and fabrics. “It’s very important because I wish to share my history, my roots, my values, and my vision through my creations. I am blessed to be able to do it with a lot of passion and love,” Kodjia told ESSENCE.
The result is a story that not only celebrates Africa’s rich Ivory Coast but also challenges preconceived notions of the continent with colorful imagery that positions the nation a fashion force to be reckoned with. Volume 4 has gone on to win the Best Fashion Award at the international La Jolla film festival and has been nominated for the London Fashion Film Festival in the Best Major Brand Production category.
ESSENCE got a chance to chat with Kodjia about his award-winning film, his heritage and how Black style shapes culture. Read our interview below.
ESSENCE: What was the best part of shooting this film?
KODJIA: Shooting this film was really magical because it was a return to my roots and I lived each moment to its fullest. I felt connected to my ancestors, my culture and my people. The overall experience was very emotional and will remain engraved in my memory forever, as this cinematographic work marks a great step in the history of French Deal.
ESSENCE: What did you want to tell viewers about Africa through this film?
KODJIA: We have a magnificent history, a rich culture and an incredible heritage that we must share with the world. The history of Africa is not well known and I wanted to highlight [the Ivory Coast’s] expertise. Through this film, I aim to position French Deal as not only a leader in the fashion industry but as a brand that is bringing awareness and visibility to Africa as a fashion force that has a unique and authentic DNA, specific to our homeland. I wanted people to be aware that Black culture is stylish and French Deal was created to represent it on an international level. Africa is the foundation of our vision and our evolution.
ESSENCE: What is something people do not know about fashion in Africa?
KODJIA: Fashion in Africa is still not well known internationally, but things are really evolving there. There is still a negative image when we talk about Africa, but the continent is full of resources and is self reliant with regards to their own cultural and fashion identity.
ESSENCE: How do you feel the Black community contributes to fashion across the globe?
KODJIA: We must support the entrepreneurial initiatives of every member of our community in fashion and other sectors. Consuming from each other, promoting our designers, our models, and all those who are part of the creative side and the production chain to create a real ecosystem so that our talents are well known to all. We need to have our own representatives so that we can share and showcase our talents and creative works through other communities.