Cover image: LaurenceAirline at Little Africa Village
© Entrée to Black Paris

Earlier this week, I led a group of graduate students and professors on Entrée to Black Paris' Spirit of Africa tour. 

I traditionally end this walk at the Little Africa Village concept store, where I invite owner Jacqueline Ngo Mpii, strategic advisor/partner Patrick Banks, or whomever is minding the shop at the time to give a brief history of the place and allow group members an opportunity to ask questions and browse/shop.

For the longest time, the rear of the store had an inviting space, almost like a home living room, where visitors could sit and commune.

Little Africa Village sitting room
© Entrée to Black Paris

I was surprised to find that this area had been transformed into a display for a fashion brand called LaurenceAirline.

LaurenceAirline corner at Little Africa Village

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The installation had taken place only a couple of weeks before, in conjunction with Paris Fashion Week.

Jeune Afrique featured LaurenceAirline in a French-language article in August 2023, announcing that founder and designer Laurence Chauvin-Buthaud had opened its flagship boutique-gallery at 40, rue Notre Dame de Nazareth in Paris' third arrondissement.

LaurenceAirline promotes itself as "a creative ecosystem based in Grand-Bassam, open to the world."  It is a "social and eco-responsible clothing label with graphic and contemporary collections ... inspired by multiculturalism and valuing craftsmanship ... made with love and care in Côte d'Ivoire."

Chauvin-Buthaud is of French and Cameroonian origin. Born in the Ivory Coast, she creates her fashion designs with a desire to promote West African culture and make it accessible across the globe.  Every garment her company produces is constructed in its entirety by its team of master tailors at the LaurenceAirline Atelier Couture in the Ivory Coast.

LaurenceAirline was founded in 2010 with a focus on men's wear. It has always operated between Abidjan and Paris, but it is currently focused on strengthening the newly established space in Grand-Bassam, the historic capital of Ivory Coast.  The company has expanded its offerings to include women's wear and unisex garments and is deliberate about utilizing organic, up-cycled and handcrafted quality fabrics for its designs.

The entire collection is being showcased at Little Africa Village:

6 bis, rue des Gardes
75018 Paris
Metro: Barbès-Rochochouart (Lines 2 and 4)
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11 AM - 7 PM

Images of LaurenceAirline collection at Little Africa Village
© Entrée to Black Paris

To learn more about LaurenceAirline, click HERE.

LaurenceAirline
Paris - Abidjan - Everywhere
© Entrée to Black Paris