Lamine Badian Kouyate
Designer
Lamine Badian Kouyate is a designer and founder of Paris-based conscious brand XULY.Bët. Born in Barnako, Mali, Kouyate studied at the Dakar School of Fine Arts. He then moved to Strasbourg, in France, to study architecture. After graduating, in 1989 he set up the XULY.Bët boutique in the fashionable area of Paris, Les Halles. Known for its use of recycled fabrics, inspired by Kouyate's mother and grandmother who would rework existing clothes for him and his brothers. XULY.Bët means 'someone with his eyes open to see through appearances.' The clothes are finished with signature red thread and visible seams.
He collaborated with Puma in 1995, becoming the first designer to create a collection with the sports brand. Kouyate went on to work on collections with A.P.C, Absolut Vodka, Les 3 Suisses and Leclerc. His designs were included in the Africa 2005 exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Lamine Badian Kouyate is a designer and founder of Paris-based conscious brand XULY.Bët. Born in Barnako, Mali, Kouyate studied at the Dakar School of Fine Arts. He then moved to Strasbourg, in France, to study architecture. After graduating, in 1989 he set up the XULY.Bët boutique in the fashionable area of Paris, Les Halles. Known for its use of recycled fabrics, inspired by Kouyate's mother and grandmother who would rework existing clothes for him and his brothers. XULY.Bët means 'someone with his eyes open to see through appearances.' The clothes are finished with signature red thread and visible seams.
He collaborated with Puma in 1995, becoming the first designer to create a collection with the sports brand. Kouyate went on to work on collections with A.P.C, Absolut Vodka, Les 3 Suisses and Leclerc. His designs were included in the Africa 2005 exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
