IN CONVERSATION WITH ALIOUNE BADARA FALL

words by JANA LETONJA

Alioune Badara Fall is a versatile creative, model, and designer making waves in the fashion and entertainment space. As a proud Senegalese multi-hyphenate, he has strategically used his cultural roots to build a foundation and a remarkable aesthetic across an array of industries. While he has an immense appreciation for the fashion industry, his talents transcend into addressing challenges that models face behind closed doors. In 2024, Alioune opened up his own production company, Seetu Studios, to continue to bring his vision of video effects, art and luxury fashion to the digital space for brands.

gloves SEYMOURE GLOVES
belt, jacket, shirt, shoes, sunglasses and trousers AMIRI

You’ve sparked real conversations about mental health in modeling. What pushed you to speak out and what do you wish people knew about the emotional side of being a model?

During the Black Lives Matter movement, I went through my own first mental health journey. I felt isolated, with no one to talk to, and I knew many others must have been feeling the same. That’s what led me to create a space where models and creatives could share openly. I wanted people to understand that behind the glamour, we also carry very real emotional challenges.

suit and coat KID SUPER
sweater STYLIST’S OWN
shoes JIMMY CHOO
sunglasses MARC JACOBS

Was there a specific moment you can recall behind the scenes that changed the way you see the fashion industry?

Working with Naomi Campbell was a turning point. I realized in that moment that fashion is first and foremost a business. Talent matters, but determination is what sustains you. Without it, navigating this industry, especially at a young age can be incredibly tough.

Was there ever a time you felt like walking away from it all? What pulled you back in?

Absolutely. There were moments I thought about leaving, but truthfully, I didn’t see another path. Fashion is where I belong, where I know I can thrive. More importantly, I feel a responsibility to set a standard for other Africans coming into this space.

suit AMIRI
sweater PAUL SMITH
bag KID SUPER
shoes JIMMY CHOO
hat ASHAKA GIVENS

What does true and meaningful collaboration look like for you across disciplines like fashion, dance, and production?

For me, collaboration means finding the most authentic way to merge two worlds into one. When done right, it creates work that uplifts, inspires, and leaves something meaningful for our communities.

left:
suit and coat KID SUPER
sweater STYLIST’S OWN
shoes JIMMY CHOO
sunglasses MARC JACOBS

right:
suit PAUL SMITH
shirt STYLIST’S OWN
shoes JIMMY CHOO
lapel pins ASHAKA GIVENS

In what ways does your heritage show up in your work and which traditions or cultural details from home have stayed with you, even in the most elite, global rooms?

My heritage is inseparable from who I am, it’s present in everything I do. As a Wolof, and specifically as a Damel, I carry a sense of confidence and elegance that I believe is innate to my culture. Whether I’m working with one fashion house or another, that grounding never leaves me.

Has your relationship with your heritage changed as your platform has grown?

Yes, it’s deepened. In my community, fashion was never seen as a “real” career. By building this platform, I’ve been able to shift that narrative, showing that fashion can have depth, purpose, and a real positive impact.

overalls, shirt and shoes KID SUPER
jacket MARNI
hat ASHAKA GIVENS

What did the very first creative concept behind Seetu look like?

Seetu was born to bridge the gap between creatives and corporations. The vision was to find new, authentic ways of advertising on social media, ways that don’t follow the crowd but instead highlight unique voices and untold stories.

full look ISABEL MARANT

How do you measure success now compared to when you first started?

That definition hasn’t changed. Success, for me, has always been about impact. It’s measured by how many lives I can touch and inspire. That remains the most important metric.

TEAM CREDITS:

talent ALIOUNE BADARA FALL
photography and direction YOSSI MICHAELI
styling ROBYN VICTORIA FERNANDES
grooming CLAUDIA OYANEDEL using MAC Cosmetics and Oribe
photography assistant, dop and editing IDAN COHEN
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA