Exploring the Intersection between Fashion, Art & Development

Mission & Vision

FAD is a Strategic Creative Agency operating at the intersection of Fashion, Art & Development.

Our mission is to uplift African craftsmanship by positioning it within a wider cultural discourse. We bridge the talent gap between African artisans and global creative industries, transforming ancestral know-how into strategic, future-facing solutions. We view tradition not as a static archive but as a living force that sparks cross-sector collaboration and sustains the creative economy.

We are dedicated to building a viable ecosystem around African craftsmanship, one that nurtures creative exchange and expands market access. At FAD, we envision a world where artisanal expertise is not a fad, but an enduring legacy: one that is celebrated for its cultural depth and recognized as a powerful driver of sustainability and contemporary luxury.

Core Concept

Exploring the Intersection between Fashion, Art & Development

  • Fashion offers a lens to reflect on our daily habits. It challenges us to reimagine and refine how we express ourselves across climates and contexts.
  • Art mirrors our shared experiences, both a movement and a medium. It holds the power to expand, provoke, and unify the collective imagination.
  • Development is the ongoing pursuit of human progress. It speaks to global efforts aimed at empowerment, equity, and lasting opportunity.

FAD is a distinct platform that bridges these three pillars into dialogue, creating accessible pathways for creative exchange and cultural collaboration across global communities.

Fatou Alhya Diagne is the Founder of FAD, where she bridges the worlds of Fashion, Art & Development through a globally informed yet culturally grounded lens. She holds a BA in International Development Studies and African Studies from McGill University and an MA in International Arts Management from a consortium of institutions, including HEC Montreal, SMU Dallas, and SDA Bocconi in Milan. With extensive experience working as a a Cultural Manager and Creative Strategist for international NGOs, Fatou integrates research, design and storytelling as tools for social impact. This expertise, combined with her experience as a Model & Creative Director allows her to further explore how identity and aesthetics intersect with cultural preservation. Guided by the question, “How can I translate the intangible elements of my core values and interests into tangible solutions?” Fatou founded FAD, a unique wordplay on her initials and a platform to empower diasporic and creative communities by reimagining development through a cultural lens.

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