Merchant Profile: Bebenoir Boutique and the Go Africa Harlem 2016 Street on 7/16/2016

We would like to extend a welcome to Bébénoir Boutique for the upcoming Street Festival on 7/16/2016
Visit www.GoAfricaHarlem.org for more information.  the Go Africa Harlem Street Festival will take place on 7/16/2016 from 10am – 7pm on 116th Street btw. 7th & 8th Aves. please register athttp://goafricaharlem.org/events/general-attendee-sign-up-for-go-africa-harlem-2016-street-festival-on-july-16th-2016/  or email Info@GoAfricaHarlem.org or phone 646-502-9778 Ext. 8001.

The Company: 

Bébénoir is a New York based clothing company founded by Ibrahima Doukoure. Originally from Guinee, West Africa, Ibrahima spent most of this childhood in Senegal and Italy. The idea of Bébénoir emerged in early 2004 over dinner with close friends at an African restaurant in Harlem, New York. When the topic of conversation was focused on goals, dreams, and aspirations, Ibrahima expressed his desire to create a fashion house, a dream he had kept to himself for years. Ibrahima strongly believes Africa must produce necessities for the local market and envisions having Bébénoir products assembled in Africa.

Bébénoir’s African Heritage

The influence, depth and richness of the African culture has resounded throughout the world, from the works of Picasso to the unique musical tradition known as American Jazz. Bébénoir’s founders, Ibrahima and Fatima Doukoure, are a husband and wife team with a collective African heritage. African textiles represent for them a profound inspiration and a tradition from their homeland which they revere. The very earliest African textiles were cloth fragments and parchment dating from 9th century BCE. African textiles are, as well, a part of the African cultural heritage that was brought to America. This ancient tradition of spinning and weaving also holds spiritual and mythical meaning for Africans. It represents an important part of the cultural heritage Bébénoir wishes to share and express through their designs.

Bébénoir’s History

The idea for Bébénoir was born in early 2004, while Ibrahima Doukoure and Fatima Sidibé were having dinner with close friends at an African restaurant in Harlem, New York. The conversation turned to one’s goals, dreams and aspirations. Ibrahima openly expressed his desire to create a fashion house.  Ibrahima’s idea emerged out of his strong belief that Africa must produce necessities for the local market in order to become a viable entity.  Shortly thereafter, while watching the French news, Ibrahima saw a special report on a donation of used clothing made to a village in the Sahel. The background image used in the report was that of a little boy, around 5 or 6 years of age, struggling to fit into a ski outfit. This seemed an incomprehensible idea, given the village was situated in the Sahel where the temperature reaches 95° F. The recurring image of that little boy became the light bulb that inspired the name ‘Bébénoir.’ They further envisioned having Bébénoir’s products eventually assembled in Africa. The dream became a reality in March of 2005 when Ibrahima and Fatima founded  Bébénoir and they embarked on pursuing their life’s dream together.

Bébénoir’s Mission

Bébénoir’s mission is to build a successful African-owned fashion house committed to provide trade and economic opportunities for Africa. Our idea is that Africans, by sharing their culture, creativity and traditions can market their talents and become an instrument of change and positive action in the world.
Our Motto: The Path is made by Walking.

The Bébénoir Style

Bébénoir is a New York based clothing company that offers a wide range of African inspired and produced, stylish clothing at amazingly affordable prices. This is the idea at the heart of Bébénoir’s take on our creative process, from the design and execution of our fashions to how we interact and sell our clothing in our store. We wish to help bring the Bébénoir distinctive high style to as many people as we possibly can.
Any fashion brand can produce high quality clothing at an expensive price, or an inferior product for a low price. We, at Bébénoir, work to bring high fashion at an affordable price. Custom tailoring, attention to detail, a personal touch and unique accessories are what we offer our customer at Bébénoir.
Visit http://www.bebenoir.com/index.html
Bebenoir
2164 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, New York, NY
(212) 828-5775 ‎ ·
bebenoir.com