Katoucha (1960-2008)

style | ap

Katoucha Niane was one of the first African models to grace the Parisian catwalks. She became an international star as the muse to the designer Yves Saint Laurent, who designed many of his clothes with her in mind, and also modelled for other global names in haute couture, including Paco Rabanne and Christian Lacroix.

In 1994 Niane stepped down from the catwalk to found a campaign against female genital mutilation, Katoucha Pour La Lutte Contre L’Excision (KPLCE). With her children she visited areas of Senegal where the practice still occurs.

At the start of February Niane was reported missing when she failed to return to her houseboat on the Seine after a night out. She was confirmed dead by French police on February 29, 2008, aged 47

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