juliekouassi

Julie Kouassi Couture Fait-Main is an Ivorian fashion house founded by Julie Kouassi, whose passion for art and fashion began in childhood. Holding a master's degree in modern literature, she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in comparative literature at Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan, focusing her research on the phenomenon of fashion and the philosophy of elegance. Alongside her academic pursuits, Julie launched JK-CFM in Abidjan in 2018, bringing her vision to life. This couture house offers exclusively handmade garments, sewn entirely by needle and thread without the use of machines. The brand's identity is deeply rooted in craftsmanship and the mastery of ancestral techniques, including hand sewing, embroidery, darning, and knitting. Julie Kouassi designs custom-made pieces with clean lines, crafted from natural materials such as cotton, linen, jute, leather, silk, and wool, as well as select synthetic fabrics. Her approach aims to enhance each silhouette with designs that reflect the wearer's personality. Since taking her first sewing classes in middle school, Julie has cultivated this skill for over twenty years, applying it daily through mending, customization, and garment repair. Through her brand, Julie Kouassi advocates for the value of handmade work, the empowerment of women, and the recognition of African artisanal expertise. She views the revival of manual sewing as a strategic path to position African fashion in contrast to Western and Asian ready-to-wear industries.