The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in France, starting on July 26, go beyond showcasing athletic excellence. The event also serves as a vibrant platform for designers, artists, and artisans to display their creativity. On July 14, Paris welcomed the Olympic flame with a special honor—Hawa Sangaré, a socially conscious fashion designer and entrepreneur, was among the distinguished torchbearers.

Born in Drancy, Seine-Saint-Denis, east of Paris, to Malian parents, Hawa Sangaré initially studied psychology before pivoting to fashion. Over her 20-year career, she has worked extensively with unemployed individuals. In 2020, Sangaré founded Hawa au féminin, an organization dedicated to helping women re-enter the workforce.
Sangaré's designs embody values of emancipation, autonomy, diversity, and inclusion. Her brand, Hawa Paris, produces collections in small batches using donated end-of-stock items from major luxury and high-end fashion houses, promoting responsible fashion and combating clothing waste.
Sangaré's contributions to the Paris Games extended beyond the torch relay. Her workshop created t-shirts, key rings, and tablecloths for the giant picnic held on July 15 in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, located in the 19th arrondissement. Additionally, she carried the flame on the final leg of the national torch relay, accompanied by 48 children—24 from Seine-Saint-Denis and 24 from Paris—for whom she crafted special t-shirts.