Salah Barka : the artist weaving the thread of africanity
Fashion designer, choreographer, film costume designer and model trainer, Salah Barka is a multi-dimensional artist, deeply rooted in his African roots, yet committed to a universal approach of creativity, inclusion and tolerance.
By Insaf Boughdiri
At the age of 15, Salah Barka entered the fashion world as a model. After seven years on the catwalks, he became aware of the stereotypes and restrictive beauty criteria dictated by the industry.
“This awareness of the role of the model and the reductive vision of bodies on the catwalk pushed me to become a designer, » he confides.
It was then that he began designing clothes for himself and his friends, repurposing pieces he found in second-hand shops. He enjoyed breathing new life into them and this was the beginning of his creative process and his desire to reinvent fashion.
First collection : an explosion of colours
In 2004, Salah Barka launched his first menswear collection, an explosion of bright colours that reflected his deep attachment to Africa.
« My Africa is that of Gabès, my hometown in the south of Tunisia, but also that of the whole continent, vast and magnificent, » he explains.
« African culture has always fascinated me, with its diversity, its richness, its many forms, its designs, its symbols and its colours, » he adds.
He was first inspired by the traditional costumes and customs of Gabès, which led him to deepen his research and explore all the riches of the continent. By integrating ancestral craftsmanship and ethnic aesthetics, he has developed a fashion that harmoniously blends modernity and ancient traditions.
In addition to his creative career, Salah Barka is also involved in the world of cinema. In 1997, he discovered the influence of the 7th art on his work with the filming of « Star Wars », a decisive turning point in his life.
« I wasn’t a film buff, but working as a costume designer opened my eyes to the fascinating world of images, textures and details, » he says.
He then combined his two passions by working as a costume designer for local and international productions. He specialised in historical films, exploring the Roman, Greek and Pharaonic eras… Through cinema, he learned to manipulate materials, recreate natural tones and work with fabrics to bring characters to life, enriching his own approach to fashion.
« Creating a collection is like making a film : it’s about bringing characters to life. When I work on a film, I take inspiration from the silhouettes, the costumes and the universe they tell. Sometimes a simple image or detail in a setting is enough to spark the idea for an entire collection.
A claimed heritage
« My family is a unique mix that reflects the many regions of the African continent. This diversity has always challenged me and made me deeply curious about my origins. This questioning led me to make important journeys to Senegal, Mali and the Ivory Coast, where I was often nicknamed ‘the Senegalese’. This nickname, which was almost universal during my travels, made me think more about my identity and my connection to these cultures, » he explains.
“These journeys were an essential step in my personal search. They allowed me to rediscover my roots and forge a closer bond with my African heritage. They also enriched my creative approach, refining my vision of an ethnic fashion rooted in authenticity, nourished by the richness of traditions and the depth of the continent’s history. Today, every piece I create is a celebration of this cultural diversity and vibrant heritage”.
A designer committed to ethical fashion
Salah Barka is also a strong advocate of ethical and inclusive fashion. Through his modelling school, he trains younger generations by teaching them not only the techniques of the trade, but also the value of their diversity and the importance of being proud of their identity.
« My career as a model has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the essential role this profession plays in the world of fashion. Today, I have the privilege of passing on this expertise to the talents of tomorrow, » he confides.
This commitment to young people reflects a philosophy that he also applies to his own career. With 14 collections to his name and numerous appearances in local and international films and series, Salah Barka never ceases to explore new horizons. Whether through fashion or cinema, his work demonstrates a deep passion for the richness of African cultures and the ancestral know-how that he seeks to promote in each of his creations.
But Salah Barka doesn’t just design clothes. He tells stories, creates characters and, through each collection, shares a fragment of the Africa he loves so much. His fashion is an ode to diversity, a dialogue between past and present, between tradition and innovation.
« I am African and I am proud of it. My identity shines through in every piece I create, » he says with conviction.
For him, each collection is a celebration of Africa: a living, vibrant Africa, rich in history, culture and know-how. Through fashion and cinema, Salah Barka continues to push boundaries while honouring his roots and flying the flag for an inclusive and universal Africa.
