The best fashion and gift stores Senegal

Aïcha and her husband Oury Diallo are both tailors, Mrs. for African dress and Mr. for western confection. They have their shop near Peytavin Avenue. They can "take your steps", sew in record time your clothes, that you can recover by making your last purchases. Work really well done and at reasonable prices.

Along with Sandaga, this is Dakar's oldest flea market, but it also has a bad reputation. Second-hand clothes, second-hand clothes and more second-hand clothes. But there's also new stuff, lots of designer clothes and fabrics, sheets and curtains. It's located on the outskirts of the city center and can be reached by cab or express bus. And once you're there, it's a shopper's paradise! Beware, however: it's also a pickpocket's paradise, and it's best to be accompanied by a Senegalese not only to visit it, but also to negotiate prices and make good bargains.

Depending on the Chamber of Trades, it is one of the very first craft villages in Senegal and the only tourist point in the city to buy souvenirs. In total, about twenty small artisan huts nestled in the greenery where you can buy many souvenirs: masks, sculptures, jewelry, paintings, shoes ... Moreover, Adama Touré, creative artist installed in the hut ^No. 6, makes very nice earrings made of glass beads. The sellers are less insistent than in Dakar, but it will still be necessary to haggle.

When you are in the textile craft area, ask "Paco Rabane", everyone knows it. This specialist in African fabrics offers a wide choice of bogolans, batik, indigo, etc. Items sold by metre or piece for decorative tablecloths or cloth. You also have the possibility to acquire models made by professional designers.

Located at the exit of Saly Village in the direction of La Somone, this gallery conceals real treasures. It presents a large collection of antiques ranging from Neolithic to contemporary art from the four corners of Africa, as well as a host of decorative objects. It is also a place of exchange between artists and the public. The owners are also true enthusiasts, which adds a lot of interest to the visit. An address not to be missed!

Located near the Massalikoul Djinane mosque, this is the fabric market of Dakar! All patterns, all styles, all origins are represented along these swarming alleys. Everyone has of course a sewing machine in the extension of the arm. Cotton, silk, synthetic, natural, make your choice, the couturiers will always make something out of it. In addition to fabric, you will find everyday products, jewellery, shoes, among other miscellaneous items. The market is very lively at weekends, beware of pickpockets!

Sculpture has always been a part of Mathias Diatta's life, and even helped him pay for part of his schooling at the time. His singular creations are inspired by nature, especially bird life, which he is passionate about. Made of cheese or bombax wood, they are realistic and meticulously painted in the colours of the bird, with thin legs and beak, made with bicycle spokes. This artist, who has a good knowledge of his environment, also carves chameleons, turtles in walnuts and croaking frogs!

First stationery, the owner expanded his field of activity by proposing a bookstore space offering nearly 1 000 titles, most of them in French.

In this small art gallery, Cissé, Mamadou and Ahmed, three friendly artists, create beautiful sand paintings on site. They have a wide range of natural sand colors from different beaches in Senegal, Morocco and Niger. Freehand, they spread the mineral grains from the darkest to the lightest on a wooden board soaked in glue to create their works, then dried in the sun. From typical Senegalese landscapes such as Gorée, to the beautiful silhouettes of African women, you will have a crush!

At the corner of one of the main streets of Saint-Louis, in front of Ndar Ndar Café, this small store is full of typical souvenirs to bring back from the land of Teranga. Wooden sculptures, African masks, bogolans, bracelets, various wax items, sand paintings and fixtures, you should find your happiness! It has been run for more than 15 years by Sidi Sow, a discreet and friendly trader, with whom you will have to haggle. So use your negotiating skills to buy your favorite items at the right price!