Photographs and Styling by Ngadi Smart
5°13′32.5″ N, 3°45′17.5″ W Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire
“Society can put such a strain on how we should act, who we should be, and what we should wear, and I think taking control of your own identity and image is one of the most freeing things one can do to express themselves. African culture puts a really big emphasis on presentation, status, and style. In traditional cultural events such as Abissa Festival in Grand-Bassam, people choose to wear items or costumes that may show their wealth, power, or symbolism. I think that, as Africans, we pride ourselves even more on our appearance than others, as well as how we can communicate visually who we are to the other.” Ngadi Smart
CLOTHING (THROUGHOUT) Kader Diaby (OLOOH Concept), ACCESSORIES (THROUGHOUT) Coulibaly Salya, FLORAL PIECES (THROUGHOUT) Jean-Baptiste Kiemtore MODELS Saadia (Kwayo Model Management) and Frédéric Ablé PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT Charles Bley Bedi
This article appears in Volume 02: Latitude of Atmos.
Latitude traces the lines that connect cultures around the world, from globalization and international efforts to stall the effects of climate change to personal freedom and the refugee crisis. The new issue features contributions from acclaimed screenwriter and actor Brit Marling, award-winning journalist Behrouz Boochani, and visionary photographers including Jamie Hawkesworth, Charlie Engman, Pierre Debusschere, Max Farago, and more.
Freedom: Côte d’Ivoire
Freedom: Côte d’Ivoire
