From Football To Fashion: Ibrahima Konaté Showcases Style On And Off The Pitch

As far as most of us can probably remember, fashion and football have always entertained a tightly-knit relationship. Despite being a delicate union, the marriage between both disciplines has always managed to galvanize crowds and blur lines, resulting in the liaison now blossoming into a full-blown romance. From the aesthetic of kits seen donned on pitches of the world’s top leading teams, to the fashion-forward looks sported by today’s players off the field, many would argue that the impact of football on fashion has never been more pronounced than now. Players have grown into becoming some of the trendsetters of today, assessing their personal style and public image to be just as important as their athletic achievements. Meanwhile, fashion houses have also forged strong and loyal partnerships with clubs and members of their starting 11, pulling the sport to new heights of style and sophistication.

Many credit David Beckham as the first footballer to have made a name in haute couture, having managed to transcend his already-established status as legend of the sport that made his fame, to turn into a paragon of style in his own right. Back in his peak in the early naughties, the soccer star was coveted by the world’s most admired clubs and sought-after labels alike as his tamed image, coupled with his ease under the fashion industry’s spotlight, inspired a whole generation to look beyond the constraints of their respective careers to sartorially express themselves off the pitch. That obviously includes Ibrahima Konaté, who, at 23, is already a driving force in Liverpool FC’s defense and the French national squad.

Also keen on elegantly combining athletic prowess with a presence in high end fashion, the promising player, who already boasts a rich slate of experiences despite his young age, is officially adding another line to his resume by following in the footsteps of the most daring of his peers. Now, he strides in front of the camera to turn into a model for the time of a breezy morning in Paris, the place he comfortably calls home.

“I grew up in the 15th and the 11th arrondissements of Paris. Although I’ve been away since the age of 13, as I joined Sochaux’s youth academy then, I always try my best to visit as many times as I can,” he told FAMA before expanding on how wholesome it felt to be back in the city that saw him return in better form, shape, and with credits that will forever be associated with his shirt number. Having solidified his name amongst some of Europe’s most respected teams, the rising star pledged allegiance to first German division side RB Leipzig before making a move across the channel to join UEFA Champions League finalists Liverpool. In a matter of two seasons, the Frenchman managed to add several domestic trophies to his silverware cabinet, including a prestigious FA Cup, a hard-earned Community Shield as well as a Carabao Cup success in his first 12 months.

More recently, Konaté was one of the main architects of his native France’s stellar three-week campaign in Qatar, which saw his side reach the final stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite the slew of individual accolades and collective awards snagged so far, becoming a professional football athlete did not sound as evident as it may now. “Ironically, before turning 10 or 11, I wasn’t too keen on playing football. I was interested in other activities, sports, and exercises, like frisbeeing (laughs)”. 

“Truth is, as a child, I was all over the place. With that being said, I became quite serious with both school and football when things started getting real. Looking back, I’d say that it’s hard work coupled with perseverance that brought me to where I am right now,” he explained.

As we met in one of the world’s fashion capitals, Konaté hung his boots up to step into another pair of cleats — one’s he’s not used to wearing although he’s long wished to. Venturing the world of high fashion and couture for the first time ever, the 23-year-old defied expectations we may initially have had to make a statement and heighten the passion that has followed him since the youngest of ages.

“Growing up, we were only allowed one pair of shoes per sibling per year, and that was one of the rare moments where my siblings and I actually had a say on what we would like to wear. For some reason, each September, I’d rush toward ASICS. They weren’t necessarily the most stylish kicks or those with the most hype, but I just saw something in them that I didn’t see in other sneakers”, he recalled.

Careful and meticulous with each piece of textile he decides to coat himself in, Konaté is one of the latest in a long line of footballers who have set their sights on fashion. Always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in the industry, the native from Paris is now finally willing to express his sartorial side in front of the camera like many others have in the past.

“There’s plenty of footballers, not to say all, that dabble into fashion in one capacity or the other. For me, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi are some of the stars that shine both on and off the pitch,” he explained before adding that Benzema is the one that inspires him the most when it comes to bridging both worlds together.

“As you can tell, footballers are not only athletes anymore. In fact, they’re much more than that and able to do more as well. I want to take advantage of that to sail towards what has been an uncharted territory for so long, and hopefully, after this first shoot, I will become more comfortable with it,”

Clearly inspired by other players who have, in the past or still are, successfully making the transition into fashion, Konaté revealed that despite his busy schedule, he regularly keeps up to date with all the happenings of the industry regardless of preceding reputation, with a keen eye for detail when shopping, attending events or simply stepping out the house.

“Fashion is a very personal thing to me. I like paying attention to what I wear, which labels I wear, where they’re from, and what materials they use. I like big brands just as I like smaller ones with potential, or that bring something unique to the table”. 

Ultimately, Konate is making his mark in the fashion world one shoot at a time, bringing the same mentality from the field onto sets, letting the motto « what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger » guide him as he grows his fashion sense and camera presence.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR : @samilakouait
Editor at Large: @1moreyass
Photography: @ismael_off
Styling: @tahiguy
Assistant stylist: @kiddogaia
Makeup artist : @anaeparis_
Assistant production: 
@janacikara
@mediaupproduction
Location : @hotelbourgtibourgparis
Magazine Graphic Designer : @rbnxfts
Executive Producer : @samilakouait

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INTERVIEW BY SAMI LAKOUAIT