Badara Ndiaye: The One Who Sees More
From basketball courts to fashion runways. From painting canvases to global collaborations. For Badara Ndiaye, creativity is not just a job — it’s a language. A language that connects art, fashion, and society.
In this conversation, Badara opens up about his journey, most important collaborations (Harper’s Bazaar Brazil, Tom Ford Beauty, Aux Corps Anonymes), and bold plans — from shaping cultural institutions to preparing for a major art residency and potential exhibitions in Paris in 2025.
In this conversation, Badara opens up about his journey, most important collaborations (Harper’s Bazaar Brazil, Tom Ford Beauty, Aux Corps Anonymes), and bold plans — from shaping cultural institutions to preparing for a major art residency and potential exhibitions in Paris in 2025.
1. You started your career in basketball but later shifted to becoming a creative consultant, artist, and creative expert. What inspired this transition?
It actually happened naturally. I surrounded myself with people I admired, and my interest in different fields began to grow. At first, it felt overwhelming and scary, but now it all makes sense. I’m genuinely happy with each of these elements, each part of me.
2. How did your childhood and family influence your creative path? What role did your parents’ support play in this?
My childhood is everything I am experiencing today. Having the ability to revisit those early memories makes me grateful for where I come from. It often inspires my creative work. I always try to share work that others can relate to. As we all know, family gives us both the best and the worst baggage we carry through life — it all depends on how you look at it. In my case, I believe I’ve taken every experience with my parents and family, both positive and negative, and used it for my professional work and personal growth.
It actually happened naturally. I surrounded myself with people I admired, and my interest in different fields began to grow. At first, it felt overwhelming and scary, but now it all makes sense. I’m genuinely happy with each of these elements, each part of me.
2. How did your childhood and family influence your creative path? What role did your parents’ support play in this?
My childhood is everything I am experiencing today. Having the ability to revisit those early memories makes me grateful for where I come from. It often inspires my creative work. I always try to share work that others can relate to. As we all know, family gives us both the best and the worst baggage we carry through life — it all depends on how you look at it. In my case, I believe I’ve taken every experience with my parents and family, both positive and negative, and used it for my professional work and personal growth.
7. How did you get into modeling, and what attracted you to the industry?
A photographer in Miami invited me to do a few editorial shots. At the time, I just took it as something fun. Things got serious after a fashion show in Milan. I remember it very well — it was right after a Dolce & Gabbana show. I found myself again in front of a photographer’s lens, this time for GQ UK. It was when street style became very popular. He was photographing me, and soon a huge number of other photographers gathered around. It was overwhelming for a first-timer at Milan Fashion Week, but I pulled myself together and told myself, “THIS IS YOUR MOMENT!!!” A few hours later, my friends from all over the world started sending me photos they saw online. I appeared in all the major publications — ELLE South Africa, GQ UK, GQ Italy, GQ Australia, and so on. I went back home to Miami, determined to make it. I bought my first professional camera and asked the housekeeper to take some pictures of me. You wouldn’t believe the shots she took if I showed you! A few months later, I was contacted by Tom Ford Beauty for a project… and the rest is history.
8. What fashion show or event has been the most important or unforgettable for you, and why?
Definitely the Dolce & Gabbana show, because it opened many doors for me and shaped my career to this day.
A photographer in Miami invited me to do a few editorial shots. At the time, I just took it as something fun. Things got serious after a fashion show in Milan. I remember it very well — it was right after a Dolce & Gabbana show. I found myself again in front of a photographer’s lens, this time for GQ UK. It was when street style became very popular. He was photographing me, and soon a huge number of other photographers gathered around. It was overwhelming for a first-timer at Milan Fashion Week, but I pulled myself together and told myself, “THIS IS YOUR MOMENT!!!” A few hours later, my friends from all over the world started sending me photos they saw online. I appeared in all the major publications — ELLE South Africa, GQ UK, GQ Italy, GQ Australia, and so on. I went back home to Miami, determined to make it. I bought my first professional camera and asked the housekeeper to take some pictures of me. You wouldn’t believe the shots she took if I showed you! A few months later, I was contacted by Tom Ford Beauty for a project… and the rest is history.
8. What fashion show or event has been the most important or unforgettable for you, and why?
Definitely the Dolce & Gabbana show, because it opened many doors for me and shaped my career to this day.
11. How do you balance your modeling career with other creative activities, such as creative consulting, art, and fashion academia?
I balance them strategically so that none of them harm the other. The fashion world is all about image, and understanding your image is crucial. Once you realize that, I believe you can handle many things simultaneously. So, to those who are afraid to step into different fields they genuinely love, I say — go for it… but first, get to know yourself.
12. Which clothing brands do you like the most and why? How do you choose your everyday style? It always looks unique and memorable. And by the way, you are 2.11 meters tall. You often show on Instagram how you decorate your clothes yourself. Is there a connection between this and your style?
This year, I actually created my own clothing collection. It’s not available for sale yet, but who knows… I’m open to business. As you can imagine, being 2.11 meters tall is never easy if you work in the fashion industry. As a giant, I was always considered “outside the box.” Instead of chasing brands and making my life complicated, I decided to create a few pieces for myself. I actually made them a few months ago and have already worn some of them. You might have seen them on my Instagram. I want to create something that is truly me and, most importantly, something that fits me. Overall, I simply appreciate anything that speaks to me aesthetically.
I balance them strategically so that none of them harm the other. The fashion world is all about image, and understanding your image is crucial. Once you realize that, I believe you can handle many things simultaneously. So, to those who are afraid to step into different fields they genuinely love, I say — go for it… but first, get to know yourself.
12. Which clothing brands do you like the most and why? How do you choose your everyday style? It always looks unique and memorable. And by the way, you are 2.11 meters tall. You often show on Instagram how you decorate your clothes yourself. Is there a connection between this and your style?
This year, I actually created my own clothing collection. It’s not available for sale yet, but who knows… I’m open to business. As you can imagine, being 2.11 meters tall is never easy if you work in the fashion industry. As a giant, I was always considered “outside the box.” Instead of chasing brands and making my life complicated, I decided to create a few pieces for myself. I actually made them a few months ago and have already worn some of them. You might have seen them on my Instagram. I want to create something that is truly me and, most importantly, something that fits me. Overall, I simply appreciate anything that speaks to me aesthetically.
3. How have your travels around the world influenced your creativity and perception of global issues?
Traveling is the best thing one can do. You can learn so much from moving from one country, culture, and society to another. My travels allowed me to see the things I used to witness every day in a different light. They helped me connect with myself on a deeper level, which pushes me to always remain authentic. They allowed me to see different realities and learn from them.
4. How does your art reflect contemporary social and cultural issues? Are there any works that are particularly important to you?
Absolutely. Art should reflect what is happening in society. In my work, I often address topics like immigration, social norms, societal expectations, anthropology, racism, global concerns, and more. My heart is my form of protest. Over the years, I’ve realized that I am happiest when creating visual imagery. I deeply value this process and will never say that I’ve had enough of it.
Traveling is the best thing one can do. You can learn so much from moving from one country, culture, and society to another. My travels allowed me to see the things I used to witness every day in a different light. They helped me connect with myself on a deeper level, which pushes me to always remain authentic. They allowed me to see different realities and learn from them.
4. How does your art reflect contemporary social and cultural issues? Are there any works that are particularly important to you?
Absolutely. Art should reflect what is happening in society. In my work, I often address topics like immigration, social norms, societal expectations, anthropology, racism, global concerns, and more. My heart is my form of protest. Over the years, I’ve realized that I am happiest when creating visual imagery. I deeply value this process and will never say that I’ve had enough of it.
9. How do you prepare for major fashion shows? What emotions do you experience when you step onto the runway?
Honestly, I can’t say that I have a specific preparation routine for shows. If I’m working on a show — yes, I truly dive into the process and give it my all. In those moments, I often think back to my roots and thank myself for not giving up. If I’m attending as a guest, I try to show support for the brand — either by wearing their designs or by choosing a look that reflects their spirit. Emotionally, every time I find myself on a runway or among the guests, I relive the journey that brought me here and feel grateful for everything I’ve overcome.
10. Have you had any unforgettable brand collaborations? Which of your works do you consider the most successful in your modeling career?
I’ve had many unforgettable collaborations, and they weren’t always with big brands. For example, there is a brand called Aux Corps Anonymes, with which I’ve collaborated several times in different countries, including Bali, Indonesia. However, the most significant for me were the editorials I did for Harper’s Bazaar Brazil, as they allowed me to show the world a different side of myself — the artist I am today. This project was born during the Covid pandemic when I started sharing more of my paintings online. I was asked if I wanted to create an editorial where I painted the clothes, modeled them, and directed the shoot. I consider this experience the most successful because it allowed me to merge several creative dimensions into one cohesive story.
Honestly, I can’t say that I have a specific preparation routine for shows. If I’m working on a show — yes, I truly dive into the process and give it my all. In those moments, I often think back to my roots and thank myself for not giving up. If I’m attending as a guest, I try to show support for the brand — either by wearing their designs or by choosing a look that reflects their spirit. Emotionally, every time I find myself on a runway or among the guests, I relive the journey that brought me here and feel grateful for everything I’ve overcome.
10. Have you had any unforgettable brand collaborations? Which of your works do you consider the most successful in your modeling career?
I’ve had many unforgettable collaborations, and they weren’t always with big brands. For example, there is a brand called Aux Corps Anonymes, with which I’ve collaborated several times in different countries, including Bali, Indonesia. However, the most significant for me were the editorials I did for Harper’s Bazaar Brazil, as they allowed me to show the world a different side of myself — the artist I am today. This project was born during the Covid pandemic when I started sharing more of my paintings online. I was asked if I wanted to create an editorial where I painted the clothes, modeled them, and directed the shoot. I consider this experience the most successful because it allowed me to merge several creative dimensions into one cohesive story.
13. What projects or collaborations would you like to realize in the future?
I’ll just say this out loud — I would love to “officially” design for a major brand one day and no longer remain behind the scenes.
14. What projects are you currently working on, and which ones are the most important?
At the moment, I’m working on several projects:
• Global positioning of Clinic Lemanic;
• Global positioning of IC for Models Paris;
• Collaborations with government institutions in the cultural sector;
• Preparing for my art residency and a potential international exhibition in Paris this year (2025).
I’ll just say this out loud — I would love to “officially” design for a major brand one day and no longer remain behind the scenes.
14. What projects are you currently working on, and which ones are the most important?
At the moment, I’m working on several projects:
• Global positioning of Clinic Lemanic;
• Global positioning of IC for Models Paris;
• Collaborations with government institutions in the cultural sector;
• Preparing for my art residency and a potential international exhibition in Paris this year (2025).
5. What role does language play in your creative process? How do you use it to convey your ideas and messages?
Language is at the core of every society. Without language, there is no society because there is no communication. I don’t believe language must always be verbal. In my opinion, any way of communicating is a language. It might not have a name, but I still consider it a language. In my creative universe, my language is visual — whether through films, photography, or art.
6. What are your favorite works and why do you consider them special?
Funny enough, I consider all my works special because they truly show different parts of me, often with some ambiguity. I equally love being part of academic projects, fashion (photography and films), and art.
Language is at the core of every society. Without language, there is no society because there is no communication. I don’t believe language must always be verbal. In my opinion, any way of communicating is a language. It might not have a name, but I still consider it a language. In my creative universe, my language is visual — whether through films, photography, or art.
6. What are your favorite works and why do you consider them special?
Funny enough, I consider all my works special because they truly show different parts of me, often with some ambiguity. I equally love being part of academic projects, fashion (photography and films), and art.
