Leading the Way Through Fashion
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog that highlights stories of black women’s struggles and success.
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By Hadiatou Wann | 04/12/19
Once a woman becomes a wife and a mother, many assume that she is supposed to push her dreams to the back burner and spend the rest of her life being a people pleaser. Not Hassatou Doukoure! She is letting her sence of fashion be an expression of freedom and an inspiration for other women to live in their purpose.
Growing up, Hassatou was a teacher's pet because she excelled academically. But when she closed her books, the other side of her took over—the fashionista.
She remembers as a young girl taking napkins and making outfits for dolls.
In her teenage years, she began making sketches. When it was time to apply for high school, she submitted some of her sketches to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). After discovering that Hassatou had an “artistic eye,” FIT accepted her.
Although she was accepted at her school of choice, she ended up attending A. Philip Randolph—which was one of the top 10 schools in New York at the time—to avoid going against her parents’ wish for her to attend a school not far from home.
Over the years, she stopped sketching. But her love for fashion never stopped. She enjoyed putting together outfits for weddings and other special occasions.
One day, after contemplating on whether to put herself out there and risk being judged negatively, she decided to start a fashion blog. Her love for fashion was greater than the fear of failure.
Since Hassatou launched “Chic and Sa Vie” in 2018, she has been recieving an outpour of complements and admiration for having the courage to express herself through fashion. She describes her style as “very feminine and glamorous.”
When a woman is living in her purpose, she radiates passion. When the person she loves supports her, she becomes unstoppable!
Hassatou's husband has been her backbone every step of the way. She expressed that he is very supportive and forward thinking. “When I started the blog, he was helpful in every aspect of it. I wouldn't be able to do what I do if he wasn't as helpful as he's been,” the fashion blogger said.
Hassatou's close friend since 1997, Akua Awuah, describes what kind of person she is underneath the beautiful clothes she frequently wears, “Hassatou has always been the type of person that is selfless, determined, fearless, hardworking, confident, loving, caring, the list goes on and on. Hassatou has always been an innovative person, especially when it comes to fashion! She is someone that goes above and beyond for her family and friends. She is very supportive, especially when it comes to giving advice to other women in her community and inspire them to be confident as they are.”
Being the oldest of four, Hassatou always had to lead the way. Her every step toward greatness had to be exemplary. Lauching her fashion blog not only pushed her out of her shell, it inspired many other women and mothers to ignore the naysayers and strive for greatness.
Welcome to Hassatou Doukoure’s World
“I don’t focus on the problem. I don’t like to stress about it. I focus on how I can solve the problem. I always think it happened, now how can I aleviate it?”
“Confidence is beauty. If you truly believe in yourself, that is true beauty. ”
“Failure is not an option!”
Hassatou loves old Hollywood movies, exploring new places to eat and shop.
“Just because you’re a wife or mom, that doesn’t mean that’s the final destination. It’s the continuation of your evolution.”
“I breathe, live, eat fashion!”
“We have to build the courage to break barriers.”
“It’s important for women to be smart and glamorous.”
Connect with Hassatou:
Facebook: Chic & Sa Vie
Instagram: @chicandsavie
Email: chicandsavie@gmail.com
Website: www.chicandsavie.com
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