YEMAYA is more than just an editorial—it is a cinematic exploration of identity, memory, and transformation.
Through the lens of Ivorian photographers and the vision of African designers, this visual story follows Yemaya, a young woman of African descent, as she embarks on a journey to Côte d’Ivoire.
What begins as a personal search for her roots soon turns into something far deeper: a mystical pull toward the ocean, a sense of déjà vu, and an ancestral connection that transcends time.
This editorial is a tribute to African storytelling, championing the talent of the continent’s designers, brands, and creatives. With actress and screenwriter Karmela Shako at its heart, YEMAYA bridges fashion,film, and culture— offering a narrative that is both personal and universal. As Karmela expands her work within the African film industry, this project stands as a testament to the vibrancy and potential of African cinema, photography, and design.
YEMAYA is a powerful visual statement about heritage, transformation, and the unseen forces that connect us to our past. More than just fashion, this editorial captures the essence of cultural memory and the spiritual bond between land, water, and ancestry.
It is a reflection of the creative brilliance emerging from Africa—where fashion, film, and storytelling merge to redefine narratives on a global scale. With this editorial, we celebrate a new era of African creativity, where history and modernity coexist, and where stories like Yemaya’s find their rightful place in the world.
We invite you to be part of this vision—to share, amplify, and champion the voices shaping the future.
Team
Creative Director: Felix-Edouard Kouassi @fedouk
Photographer: Mariette Kouame @mariette_kouame
Photography Assistant: Marc Épiphane Yao @phanoo
Makeup: Ahia Marcelle Foba @marcyevents
Hairstylist: Fily Mihan @hairbyfily
First Assistant: Mariama Jalloh @mari.ama
Second Assistant: Fabienne Lou Aneyé @itsfabienne
