Our Story

Pappi was born out of a collaboration between, Papi, a Senegalese man who sells African fabrics in his store in Madrid, and an American who has lived more than 10 years working in fashion in Spain. 

Upon passing by Papi's store, the colors and prints captured the founder’s attention. Even though the storefront is small it is impossible to walk by without getting distracted by those colors. 

These colorful print fabrics are “batik” fabrics. They have been used and are still used in many countries in Africa. They tell a long story that has been woven into the history and culture of the continent. The African custom is to pick the fabric and make the garment using the in-store tailor. 

Pappi represents a return to the origins of fashion, to the time of dressmakers and pattern catalogues. As well as a window into other cultures and countries as well as a mixing pot of cultures, just like its collaborators. Pappi moves away from fast fashion creating totally unique pieces, no prints are repeated nor combinations of prints in any garment. Your Pappi piece is exclusively yours.

The brand is called Pappi with a double p to reflect Papi’s name and also the founder’s real papi (“daddy” in Spanish) who encouraged her to create the brand.