Fatou Kané’s 9-year-old sewing machine is her comfort blanket. After her father gifted the 2016 Singer Stylist 7258 to her as a birthday present, she has been unable to live without it.
Almost all her life, sewing, and fashion design have been intertwined in Kané’s world. As a fifth-year business administration major at Northeastern University, graduating at the end of the spring semester, her loyalty to the hobby has stayed true despite her contrasting pursuits in academics.
Before she said her first word, Kané’s mom would dress her up in different colored outfits and sets. Once she could hold a pencil, Kané began sketching out designs. The first piece she ever created was a prom dress for her Barbie doll made entirely from paper. At the start of high school, she got her first sewing machine, starting a new chapter in her creative journey.
“I think for me, when it [came] to clothes and fashion, it was a gateway for expression,” She explained. “Whenever I wanted something, I would never ask. I don’t know why. I just thought I would want to make it.”
Today, fashion design still has a special place in her heart. Despite her studies taking up a large chunk of her time, Kané still tries to devote a certain amount of energy to this endeavor weekly.
“Every time I think about making stuff, my heart flutters. I always feel inspired,” She said. “Sometimes I can’t sleep unless I make something.”
Often, Kané lets the materials guide her through the process.
“I let the fabric speak to me,” she remarks. “It needs a specific shine, [an] undertone, where I feel like it can be made into something.”
This semester, Kané launched a website for her new brand. After graduation, she plans on devoting much more time to her craft. Her dream of creating an online shop and store for women’s clothing and custom designs is underway.
“I don’t just want it to be clothes. I want it to be art through clothes,” Kané said. “I want them to tell stories.”
She aimed to do the same with her newest endeavor, a fashion show she designed for, directed, and planned, completely from scratch. The show debuted on April 4 and showcased many of Kané’s original pieces. While she has some past experience with runway fashion, this was her first time running the show.
In high school, she debuted and modeled her first design at an African fashion show put on by her school in New York. Later, towards the end of the pandemic, Kané helped Stevie Boi with event management for a fashion show in her home state. During this time, she was also styling for a runway show hosted by The Fashion Society at Northeastern. She has been a part of the styling team every year since joining in her freshman year.
When it comes to her designs, Kané’s goals are simple.
“I’m trying to force myself outside the box and create these different designs,” She said. “I just want to have some form of taste. I don’t want it to look cheap, or weird, or off. I want it to look like someone took their time on [each] piece.”
When it comes down to it, Kané hopes to prioritize her passion as much as possible. She has a long history with fashion and a dream that she wants to see through.
“I think it’s always been with me. And I guess I just never knew how strong it was,” she said. “It’s around me, it’s with me every day.”
Sydney Woogerd 