The Foumban founders
A family workshop in the Foumban craftspeople’s quarter: lost-wax casting, then hand hammering. Our earrings, cuffs and rings come from it.
Our story
From Mama Kôssi’s treadle machine to the Bonapriso workshop
“Kôssi” was the nickname customers gave Élisabeth, the grandmother of Nadège Ebongué, a seamstress at the New-Bell market in the 1970s.
Nadège grew up among her wax offcuts and her treadle sewing machine. After ten years as a pattern-maker in workshops in Douala and Paris, she founded Maison Kôssi in 2019: first a few dresses sold on WhatsApp, then, in 2021, the Bonapriso workshop-boutique. Today, six seamstresses and tailors cut and sew every piece there in small runs. The jewellery is hammered by a brass founder in Foumban, the beads are strung by a workshop in Bafoussam, and the shea comes from a cooperative of women producers near Ngaoundéré. Since 2023, the house has shipped to Paris, Brussels and all across Central Africa.
A story of family, thread and river
Fictional characters: this story is written for the demonstration.
- 1970-1990Mama Kôssi sews for the ladies of New-Bell.
- 2019Launch: 12 dresses sold in one month on WhatsApp.
- 2021Opening of the Bonapriso workshop-boutique, 6 people.
- 2023First shipments to France and Belgium, duties included.
- 2025Partnership with 12 shea producers.
- 2026Wouri collection and online shop.
The workshop
Five steps, one address
With us, drawing, cutting, sewing, finishing and checking all happen under one roof. A piece that leaves has been looked at by at least three people.
- DrawingNadège designs the cut and the pattern.
- CuttingSamuel cuts by hand, placing the pattern.
- SewingMireille, Joséphine and Armand assemble.
- FinishingButtons, hems, pressing.
- CheckingFadimatou checks every piece before packing.
- NadègeFounder, pattern-maker
- RoseWorkshop manager
- SamuelCutting
- Mireille, Joséphine, ArmandSewing
- FadimatouFinishing and checking
- Laure and KevinCustomer service
Our partners
The people who do the rest
We work with workshops and a cooperative we know, at the price they set.
The Bafoussam bead-stringers
Glass beads strung by hand, three strands at a time, with a brass clasp from Foumban.
Twelve shea producers
Near Ngaoundéré, twelve women harvest, crush and press. The shea is bought at the price they set, paid when we order.
Where our fabrics come from
From Congo market to your wardrobe
Our wax is 100% cotton. We buy the classic cloths from wholesalers at Congo market in Douala, and for each item we state the country of printing declared by the supplier. Our house patterns are drawn in the workshop and printed in small runs by a partner printer in West Africa. Offcuts become scarves, bow ties and linings.
See the fabrics
The fair price
Where the money goes in an Akwa dress
We would rather show you our prices than promise you discounts. Here is what the 38,000 FCFA of the Akwa dress covers.
- Fabric
- Cutting, sewing, finishing (wages)
- Supplies
- Packaging
- Workshop, shop, website, customer service
- The house’s margin
- VAT 19.25%
| Item | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 9,000 FCFA | 23,7 % |
| Cutting, sewing, finishing (wages) | 10,500 FCFA | 27,6 % |
| Supplies | 1,300 FCFA | 3,4 % |
| Packaging | 600 FCFA | 1,6 % |
| Workshop, shop, website, customer service | 7,466 FCFA | 19,6 % |
| The house’s margin | 3,000 FCFA | 7,9 % |
| VAT 19.25% | 6,134 FCFA | 16,1 % |
| Total incl. tax | 38,000 FCFA | 100 % |
Our commitments
Commitments we can keep, with no label displayed that we have not earned.
- Runs of 20 to 60 pieces, never more.
- Free length alterations.
- Offcuts reused as scarves, bow ties and linings.
- Plastic-free packaging.
- Wages above the legal minimum.
- No label claimed: we would rather show you how we work.
Visit the workshop
Bonapriso, Douala · PO Box 0000
Landmark: indigo façade, two minutes from the main crossroads of Bonapriso.
Rue des Tisserands, Bonapriso
Maison Kôssi, rue des Tisserands (fictional address)Bonapriso, Douala · PO Box 0000
Landmark: indigo façade, two minutes from the main crossroads of Bonapriso.
- Workshop
- Monday – Saturday, 9:30 am – 7 pm
- WhatsApp and phone
- Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 8 pm
- Status
- Workshop: Monday – Saturday, 9:30 am – 7 pm
A question before you order?
Message us on WhatsApp: Laure and Kevin reply Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm. We also take measurements by appointment for ceremony outfits.
Contact us