Damien Ouattara

Côte d'Ivoire's zero-waste fashion pioneer transforming textile industries

Designer Damien Ouattara (b. 1988) pioneered circular fashion practices in West Africa through his brand ÉcoVogue. Launching in 2020, his company upcycles 92% of textile waste into luxury garments, creating 1,500 jobs in Ivory Coast's fashion sector. His 2022 UN report showed his methods reduce water usage by 85% compared to traditional production.

Ouattara's 2023 invention 'SmartDye' uses AI to optimize dye quantities, cutting chemical runoff by 70%. His partnership with FAO trains artisans across 12 African countries in sustainable techniques. The BBC named his 2024 Paris Fashion Week show 'Africa Reimagined' one of the decade's most impactful fashion events.