Founder of Maraz
Can you introduce yourself?
I am a young Senegalese entrepreneur, passionate and committed to the development of my country. Pure product of the Senegalese school, I did my secondary education at the High school Galandou Diouf in Mermoz where I graduated in 2009. I hold a Master 2 in Project Management and Business Creation at IFACE / UCAD and a Master 2 in Communication, Creativity and Technology at ISM.
I worked as an accountant for 4 years in the insurance sector with Allianz Assurances but also in aviation with ASECNA.
I am very active on several projects related to training and professional integration of young people in my country.
How was your brand born? What does Maraz mean?
Maraz means African Fashion revalued from A to Z.
The brand was born from a passion for art and beauty, but also from a strong desire to create wealth, value andalso jobs for my country through sharing, innovation and creativity .
We therefore wanted to respond to a need on the African market for products that reflect our cultural identity combining.d
Can you tell me about your achievements?
Maraz, beyond its own brand, has positioned itself in the leather goods sector in Senegal as a supplier. Since its launch in 2017, the brand has produced for itself but also for 9 other brands based in Dakar , Abidjan and Paris. We have supplied shoes, ladies’ bags, luggage and corporate gifts .
Our production capacity increased from 3,000 items per year in 2017 to more than 8,000 items per year at the end of 2019. We are now selling in Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and France.
Where does your inspiration come from?
From a father artist painter under glass, the Maraz spirit is an ongoing creative process. Our creations are influenced by our various meetings, exchanges and travel. Our environment and our different interactions with our customers and collaborators are the basis of most of our creations. We are also inspired by major brands to perfect the quality and finesse of our products.
How do you work?
Our production is 60% handmade by Senegalese artisans and 40% by machine. We work mainly with leather from Senegal, Ethiopia and Italy, but also with African textile “woven loincloth, bogolan, dye” produced mainly by women’s groups in Senegal and Mali.
What stage do you prefer in the realization?
The choice of materials and the finishings are the stages of production that fascinate us the most because that is what will condition the quality of the end-product.
What is your particularity?
Maraz’s style is both traditional and sophisticated but above all impersonal. Our creations are often unique because they are produced according to our inspirations and feelingsat the time. Our flexibility to adapt to the needs of our customers and our production capacity also make us special.
Where to get your creations?
You can get our creations on our instagram page: marazdakar, the Maraz Showroom in Dakar at Mermoz pyrotechnics building 4 and at the Nahyel concept store which is on the Boulevard de la République plateau.
