Mike Sylla

Mike Sylla is a Senegalese Fashion Designer and Stylist. He works mainly with leather and suede which draws inspiration from the retro female form of the 60s to the 70s. His hand painted designs feature faces and patterns on leather which create a very distinct and yet simple design language. Mike is also a figure of cultural activism from the late 1980s to the present day.
==Early Life==
Born in Dakar in Medina.
==Career==
A designer from Senegal currently based in France. He is known for his artistic work which is focusing on introducing the African diaspora to the world, He has obtained numerous awards which he dedicates to the African youth, with talents and its diaspora for the promotion and the development of Africa.
Many of Mike’s pieces paid tribute to Michael Jackson, inspired by the work of the Star and to Madiba Mandela, the figure of free Africa. 
He also brought his signature style for his 20 years of creation for the Haute Couture parade with the theme "Afrosapiens" at the Théâtre de Verdure of the Quai Branly Museum. At the Maison de l'Unesco on the occasion of the 10th anniversary on cultural diversity for the international community in front of forty cheifs of State. On the forecourt of Paris city hall on the occasion of the “Diasporas & African Independence exhibition built in partnership with the embassies in France of the African countries concerned. He also participated in the “40 years of La Francophonie” with the creation of the La Slamophonie label. He aso created the Afrofashion Show concept by Mike Sylla for the Dream Child Foundation in Ghana.
He also featured the same style for the celebration of Black History Month in San Francisco. As the guest star he exhibited and produced a parade for the 45th Indiana Black Expo edition focusing on a philosophy that symbolized the diversity of world cultures. 
==Also Known For==
Figure of cultural activism from the late 1980s to the present day.
Also he is inspired by the world music which settled in the 80s in the heart of the French capital before spreading to the rest of the world because he is a specialist in Slam and Koralyre (symbol of the fusion of cultures of the world). He creates his own musical instruments, designs sounds for his parades and is at the heart of poetry for having initiated and conceptualized shows linked to Slam (Slam Opera - Slamoperette - Slamophonie).
==Other Honors==
*International Excellence Award 45th Edition Celebration Indiana Black Expo 2015 - Recognition for the best designer, for his artistic work within the African or Afro diaspora in the world
*The Calabash of Excellence Stylist of the Diaspora 6th Edition of the Calabashes of Excellence of the Senegalese Diaspora 2016
*Winner of the Re-Source / Sununet Diaspora Prize for the contribution to the cultural influence of Senegal in the world 2017
*Bexlive Award 2018 - Bexlive International Entreprise & Community Awards Gala United Kingdom
*Guest of Honor Award 2019 - International Fashion Festival 3rd edition Casablanca Morocco
*Namansane Honor and Merit Trophy Placed under the seal of Excellence 2019 Dakar
*Honored by New York City Councilor Mark Treyger, who awarded Mike Sylla Couture - Baïfall Dream a 2020 Excellence Award for his contribution to community service and exemplary philanthropy
Category:Senegalese fashion designers
Category:Fashion stylists
Category:Senegalese people