STUDIO 4 Launches Project Agnon and Brillantissim’ Upcycling:
Based in Abidjan, STUDIO 4 is a sewing workshop and creative hub dedicated to celebrating local textiles, preserving artisanal know-how, and advancing a more responsible fashion ecosystem in Côte d’Ivoire.
From January to February 2026, STUDIO 4 turns upcycling into a powerful space for learning, experimentation, and creative expression with the launch of Project Agnon. At the heart of the initiative is a re-examination of yougou yougou—the second-hand garments that flood local markets, pass through countless hands, and often undermine local fashion production. Rather than viewing these clothes as waste, Project Agnon positions them as raw material rich with creative and economic potential.
The project unfolds through a series of hands-on creative workshops hosted at EIFP Michèle Yakice and Carine N Fashion School, engaging students from both institutions. Working directly with second-hand garments, participants will explore upcycling techniques, deconstruction, reconstruction, and design innovation—learning how to give existing clothes new purpose and value.
Running alongside the workshops, an upcycled capsule collection will be developed through a collaboration between STUDIO 4 and designer Vincent Esclade, translating the project’s ideas into a contemporary fashion expression.
The initiative culminates in “Brillantissim’ Upcycling,” a public exhibition presented at the Institut Français. Opening on 29 January, the exhibition will be accompanied by a round-table discussion titled: “Reinventing Fashion: Upcycling as a Driver of Social and Economic Innovation in Côte d’Ivoire.” The conversation will explore how upcycling can contribute to sustainable livelihoods, creative economies, and a more resilient local fashion industry.
Extending its impact beyond professionals and students, STUDIO 4 will also host upcycling customisation workshops for children and young people at the Institut Français on 10, 17, and 24 January. A pop-up store will run alongside the exhibition, offering visitors the opportunity to discover, support, and purchase work from local upcycling designers.
Through Project Agnon and Brillantissim’ Upcycling, STUDIO 4 affirms upcycling not as a trend, but as a meaningful tool for education, creativity, and sustainable fashion futures in Côte d’Ivoire.
