Gabonese fashion designer Chouchou Lazare is gaining international attention for transforming traditional raffia fibers into high-fashion garments, showcasing the cultural heritage of Gabon on global runways. Working from his studio in Libreville, Lazare crafts dresses, skirts and bustiers using raffia a natural fiber derived from palm leaves that historically symbolized prestige and was worn mainly by village chiefs and nobles. Today, the designer incorporates the material into contemporary designs, helping introduce the centuries-old textile to a wider global audience.
Lazare’s latest collection, featuring intricately woven raffia pieces that remain in their natural colour, was showcased in Paris during a major fashion event on February 28. His work earned an achievement award at the Fashion Annual Show, an event that has honoured African designers for more than 25 years. The self-taught designer began sewing at the age of nine while helping his mother earn income for the family. Without formal fashion training, he developed his skills by designing clothing for his mother and grandmother, who remain his primary inspiration. Now in his 50s, Lazare says his collections celebrate strong women and African cultural identity.
Raffia holds deep cultural significance in Gabon, where it is commonly used in traditional ceremonies, weddings and spiritual practices such as Bwiti rituals. Gabon’s Ministry of Sustainable Tourism and Crafts has described the material as an important cultural resource that reflects the country’s heritage. Over the years, Lazare’s work has gained increasing international recognition. In 2002 he won first prize for fashion at the Saint-Étienne International Design Biennial in France. More recently, he presented his creations to Emmanuel Macron during the French president’s state visit to Gabon in November alongside Gabonese leader Brice Oligui Nguema. As president of the Association of Gabonese Stylists and Creators, Lazare also mentors emerging designers and promotes the use of local materials in fashion. He hopes raffia will gain broader global recognition not just as a textile, but as a cultural treasure representing Gabon and Africa.
