Our story

Everywhere else, a little bit of home.

Here is the summary of my life, which I wanted to transcribe in the Kounlana brand.

Born in Burkina Faso, to a Malian father and a Burkinabe mother, I remember strong moments when family was already an unshakeable pillar for me. But life's challenges took me to Martinique, this island that is part of the Caribbean. Very young, I grew up and have spent most of my life there since that time.

Over the years, I realize that memories fade, African customs remain anchored but I would like to embrace them as fully as I embrace Caribbean customs on a daily basis.

So when it was "again" a question of moving to metropolitan France for my studies, my first reflexes were to pack my mother's loincloths in the suitcase. And yes, those famous Wax loincloths that you tie at the waist. These pieces of fabric were much more than "fabrics" for me.

I found the warmth of my mother's arms there during periods of low morale. I wrapped myself up in them when I saw snow for the first time. They accompanied me everywhere I had to put down my suitcases for a few months or a few years.

When I return to Burkina Faso, after 10 consecutive years without having set foot there, that's when I realize...

I realize that these fabrics, wax as well as many others that we don't often talk about, are much more than fabrics. A whole symbol of culture, know-how, a way of life. I then discover the Bogolan (wax loincloth) with simple, geometric patterns that each have their meaning, and I absolutely fall under the spell of this loincloth 100% imagined and mainly made in Africa. I want to particularly highlight this African know-how that we do not necessarily find in the usual Wax which is a fabric initially brought by the Dutch to Africa.

The evidence is there, I am going to make these little pieces of fabric into comforting objects, which will accompany me and I hope many other people in their daily lives.

Instead of "hunting" for my mother's loincloths, I will make them a real lifestyle to display in the place where I return every evening to "lay my head", at home. Linens of Afro-Caribbean inspiration. I decide to create and call this brand "KOUNLANA" meaning in "Dioula", "the head laid".

KOUNLANA is therefore the sum of the cultural riches which have left an imprint on my life, whether it be my maternal culture or that of my host lands.

With this brand, our strong convictions defend the fact that sobriety and authenticity are pillars of elegance. You will therefore find this simplicity in the products offered.

The diversity of our cultures makes us rich, that of the heart. This is why inclusion is also a strong value that we carry.

Chérifatou, creator of Kounlana.