Ursuline Begorre, Ivorian designer inspired by Saint Bakhita/Guy Aimé Eblotié/LCA
Portrait
In Côte d’Ivoire, designer Ursuline Begorre claims to find her inspiration in the life and virtues of Saint Josephine Bakhita, a former slave of Sudanese origin who became a nun and canonized in 2000.
At the beginning of October, she will present her new “Bakhita collection” in Abidjan, through which she wants to develop devotion to the saint.
“Share a bit of Saint Josephine Bakhita”Ursuline Begorre, 48, stylist and fashion props designer, has made it a priority for several years. “Her resilience, her smile, and the grace of compassion are the virtues of this African saint who boosts me. For me it is essential! » she assures. A slave who became a nun and then canonized in 2000, such is the astonishing inspiration of the Ivorian designer.
In the living room of her apartment located in the commune of Cocody in Abidjan, a large painting of Saint Josephine Bakhita welcomes visitors, while on the central table are placed several bags with the image of the saint of Sudanese origin. “Here it is “Bakhita houses”, she says enthusiastically, referring to the name she gave to her Facebook page.
For the past few days, Ursuline Begorre has been putting the finishing touches to a new Bakhita collection for an exhibition that will bring together several Christian designers and props designers on October 1 in Abidjan. “All the jewelry I will sell will bear the mark of Saint Bakhita, she specifies. Each earring or ring will be made with a letter of his name. So everyone will leave with a virtue of the saint. »
Spirituality of beauty and purity
The story of Ursuline Begorre with Saint Josephine Bakhita begins in 2015 in Abidjan. The designer, who lives in France where she founded an NGO in 2006, is hurt by opposition to the development projects she carries out in Sanguouiné, her village in western Côte d’Ivoire. She then decides to stop everything to seek answers to this hostility from God. At the same time, her parish wanted to build a chapel dedicated to Saint Josephine Bakhita and Ursuline Begorre was co-opted to be a member of the organization of the festivities.
“We watched a film about her life and that’s when I received this grace to magnify God through herconfides the stylist. Me, I was a wounded woman and she was really an example that made me understand many things. » Read also: Saint Josephine Bakhita, the slave who became a saint
Holder of a diploma in communication, she decides to reconvert herself in what she calls “the spirituality of beauty and purity” to come back to life. “I started doing things with my hands, first of all sprucing up my apartment which was the office of my NGO” she explains. Encouraged by her friends who were seduced and solicit her, ” this “therapy” through beautification and prayer helped to repair what was broken in me and in them as well. »
Development projects
In addition to interior decoration, Ursuline Begorre makes collections of jewelry, bags and several beauty accessories that she sells online or at exhibitions. “Before making a new collection, I draw inspiration from the Bible and I first make my rosary to ask the Virgin and the Holy Spirit to enlighten me. »
“Thanks to the virtue of compassion of the slave who has become holy”, Ms. Begorre has also resumed her development projects in her village where she goes more often to share the word of God and the virtues of Saint Bakhita.
Guy Aimé Eblotié
Saint Josephine Bakhita, the amazing inspiration of an Ivorian designer