While his friends were dreaming of becoming famous footballers, Mossi Traoré was busy with his needles and thread. Born to Malian parents, the future designer grew up in the projects of Villiers-sur-Marne, where he discovered a passion for fashion after attending an exhibition dedicated to Yohji Yamamoto's creations. Traoré's personal style was distinct from the codes present where he grew up, and it quickly became a medium for him to express and affirm his individuality. In 2005, he began his studies at Paris' Mod'Art International, where he enrolled in pattern-making and took up a job managing a department at Giorgio Armani in order to pay for school. It would be during his internship at the prestigious Opéra Garnier that he would meet Didier Grumbach, President of the Fédération Française de la Couture, who would give Traoré the boost necessary to launch his eponymous label. MOSSI is an ethical ready-to-wear brand that seeks to make women feel beautiful and powerful. Poetic and refined, the collections evoke a couturier's eye for detail along with an attention to volume and texture that's decidedly architectural. Inspired by travels in Africa, India, Italy, and media from Japanese manga to contemporary art, Mossi Traoré creates pieces that are defined by their artisanal mastery and drapery. In 2015 the young entrepreneur would found Les Ateliers Alix, a school intended to give young people the opportunity to learn more about jobs in the fashion industry. It's a project that marries perfectly with his association, Les Ateliers Parisiens, which aims to help immigrants, women, and troubled teens find their purpose in the professional world. Awarded ANDAM's Pierre Bergé Prize for young designers in 2020, Mossi Traoré's line stands apart for its strong social investment. Discover more at Printemps.com.