Vlisco’s Icons Last Forever campaign continues, w/Sarah Diouf and Trevor Stuurman reinterpreting African Storytelling Through Seydou Keïta’s Legacy

A striking homage to Malian legend photographer Seydou Keïta (1921 – 2001), the campaign bridges past and present, transforming Vlisco’s iconic fabrics into modern cultural narratives.

Dutch heritage brand, celebrated for its iconic printed fabrics, Vlisco, returns with the second chapter of the “ICONS LAST FOREVER” campaign through the collaborative lens of fashion designer and founder of Tongoro – Sarah Diouf, and photographer and visual artist Trevor Stuurman in a striking homage to legendary Malian portraitist Seydou Keïta (1921 – 2001).

Seydou Keïta’s transformative ability in the 1940s to the 1960s to turn everyday moments into iconic moments with his portraits which often featured Vlisco fabrics as symbols of pride and identity, served as the visual code for Sarah Diouf and Trevor Stuurman for this chapter of the Icons Last Forever campaign, on how they see African storytelling today, and reinterpreting this legacy through photography, film, and fashion.

Set against the background of the cultural landmark Alliance Française de Kaolack, Senegal, Sarah and Trevor brought their impeccable visual creativity to life with Sarah bringing the silhouettes of traditional West African alive in modern expressions with Vlisco’s vibrant prints, whiles Trevor deftly worked the camera lens to capture immersive visuals that celebrate identity and culture infused with Seydou Keïta’s timeless language with bold colour and vitality.

“My love story with Seydou Keïta started in the early 2000s… it was a new vibration, a new energy” Sarah refelects. “Africa is no longer waiting to be seen. We are leading the way” Trevor added.

For the duo, who grew up surrounded by Vlisco fabrics, the “Icons Last Forever” project is deeply personal and gives them the nostalgic feeling of returning to their roots. 

The prints featured come from Vlisco’s newest collection, reminding us heritage and modernity can exist side by side in every design.

“Vlisco speaks a language that all Africans understand,” says Sarah. “Each print tells a different story to each person” adds Stuurman.

With this latest chapter, Vlisco continues to honour its commitment as a cultural storyteller through bold designs and vibrant colours. 

“Vlisco has always stood at the crossroads of design, colour, and storytelling. With Icons Last Forever, we celebrate the dialogue between history and innovation, creating images that speak to identity, pride, and the limitless power of imagination.” Perry Oosting, CEO of Vlisco group

About Vlisco

Founded in 1846 in the Netherlands, Vlisco is celebrated for its distinctive printed fabrics, created with time-honoured techniques inspired by Indonesian wax batik. For nearly two centuries, Vlisco has designed more than 350,000 original fabrics—many of which have become cultural icons, embraced and given meaning byAfrican women across West and Central Africa. Today, Vlisco’s heritage of craftsmanship, bold design, and vibrant colour continues to inspire, identity, storytelling, and cross-cultural creativity, where every creation is one of a kind.

www.vlisco.com

About Sarah Diouf

Sarah Diouf is a Senegalese fashion entrepreneur and creative director. She is the founder of Tongoro Studio, a womenswear brand proudly made in Africa celebrated for its contemporary African silhouettes and global cultural impact. Her vision connects tradition and innovation, offering contemporary expressions of African identity that resonate worldwide.

About Trevor Stuurman

Trevor Stuurman is a South African visual artist and photographer renowned for his powerful portraits and fashion imagery. With a practice rooted in African traditions yet attuned to global aesthetics, he creates works that reimagine identity and expand the language of contemporary photography.