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Paris – France's 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, commencing 26 July, embrace more than athletic prowess. The event is also a stage for designers, artists, and artisans to showcase their talents. Paris welcomed the Olympic flame on 14 July, with Hawa Sangaré, a socially conscious fashion designer and entrepreneur, among the honored torchbearers.
Hawa Sangaré was born in Drancy, in Seine-Saint-Denis, est of Paris, of Malian parents.
She studied psychology before embarking on a career in fashion, and for over 20 years worked with unemployed people.
In 2020, Sangaré launched an organisation called Hawa au féminin, a back-to-work workshop for women.
Emancipation, access to autonomy, diversity and inclusion, Hawa Sangaré conveys these values through the cut of her clothes.
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Hawa Paris' collections are produced in small batches thanks to donations of end-of-stock items from partners in major luxury and high-end fashion houses.
The brand is responsible and promotes fashion that fights against clothing waste.
Olympic torchbearer
Sangaré also played a key role before the Paris Games.
Her workshop produced t-shirts, key rings and tablecloths for the giant picnic which took place on 15 July in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement of Paris.
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The designer also carried the flame on the final leg of the national torch relay from Seine-Saint-Denis to the opening ceremony on the Seine.
She was accompanied by 48 children, 24 from Seine-Saint-Denis and 24 from Paris, for whom she made t-shirts.
This report is part of the 100% Création podcast produced by RFI's Maria Afonso.