Model Mamadou Racine poses for a picture in a bazin suit made by designer Barros Coulibaly in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. Gasps of delight filled the convention hall as models, decked out in Mali's signature bazin fabric in crimson reds, indigoes and neon greens, strutted the catwalk while musicians from across the West African nation provided the soundtrack. Bazin, a polished, heavy cotton fabric with a distinctive sheen, is extremely popular across the region and is worn at almost all formal occasions in Mali. "If you show up to a marriage without wearing bazin, you might as well not show up at all," said Baba Sereme, a designer known for his bazin suits for men, with hand-dyed elaborate colour schemes. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Bazin designer Baba Sereme poses for a picture in a bazin outfit he dyed at his home in Bamako, Mali, October 8, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Sira Coulibaly wears a bazin dress made by designer Fadi Maiga in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Lanseni Doumbia poses for a picture in a bazin suit made by designer Barros Coulibaly in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Sira Coulibaly poses for a picture in bazin outfits made by designer Fall Creation in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Guests watch the Festi'Bazin runway show in Bamako, Mali, October 16, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





A model poses for a picture in a bazin dress made by designer Mariah Bocoum Keita in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





A model prepares to walk onto the catwalk during the Festi'Bazin runway show in Bamako, Mali, October 16, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Coumba Soumare (L) wears a gown by Malian designer Tawati as she prepares to go onto the catwalk during the Festi'Bazin runway show in Bamako, Mali, October 16, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





The master of ceremonies stands backstage at the Festi'Bazin runway show in Bamako, Mali, October 16, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Models look at themselves in a mirror before the Festi'Bazin runway show in Bamako, Mali, October 16, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Models pose for a picture in bazin outfits made by designer Barros Coulibaly in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Models Darhat Diallo (l) and Oumou Soumare pose for a picture in bazin outfits made by designer Barros Coulibaly in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Bazin designer Baba Sereme poses for a picture in a bazin outfit he dyed at his home in Bamako, Mali, October 8, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Mamadou Racine poses for a picture in a bazin suit made by designer Barros Coulibaly in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Awuah poses for a picture in a bazin outfit made by designer Mariah Bocoum Keita in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





People on a motorcycle ride past model Atou Cisse wearing a bazin outfit made by designer Mariah Bocoum Keita in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Fatou Diop poses with her hands on a bazin outfit made by designer Mariah Bocoum Keita in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





A model wears a bazin dress made by designer Fadi Maiga in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Sira Coulibaly poses for a picture in a bazin dress made by designer Mariah Bocoum Keita in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





A model poses for a picture in a bazin suit made by designer Barros Coulibaly in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Model Mamadou Racine poses for a picture in a bazin outfit made by designer Barros Coulibaly in Bamako, Mali, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)





Bazin designer Baba Sereme poses for a picture in a bazin outfit he dyed, in front of his home in Bamako, Mali, October 8, 2015. (Photo by Joe Penney/Reuters)