My story
I am Mariama Sadio Lee and I have a passion for creation and design. I began to sew in my home country the Republic of Guinea in West Africa. I would make time to create at every opportunity I had, which was rare due to the fact that the electricity was not always available. I also did not own a sewing machine as I initially learned to sew using my cousin’s materials. My first time behind a sewing machine, without any previous lessons, I made myself a dress and wore it to school that very day. It came as second nature to me, and I was immediately in love. The reaction from my peers was amazing. Everyone was asking who made my clothes, and they were in disbelief when I answered that it was me. I began only creating for myself until my younger sister began to insist I design for her as well. As I continued to stretch my imagination I dreamed of a day when my couture would be world renown with a premier design brand and boutiques globally.
At the age of 21 I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. I’d developed a tumor of 11.5 pounds in my abdomen. As I battled through surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation I realized that I needed to be mentally healthy in order to cure my body. Feeling and looking beautiful has been a huge factor in that mental wellness which helped me fight through to remission and endure treatment in my bout against Ovarian Cancer. I was at that time encouraged to help other people battle sickness through beauty the way I had done and thus was the inspiration of Yama Elegance LLC..
I share with the world my most powerful strategy for fighting cancer and other ailments through giving the gift of beauty and confidence. I use all types of fabrics but accentuate the versatility and exquisiteness of African print fabric. African prints have charm and beautiful colors that will allow anyone to be elegant. I design styles for all occasions: formal wear for the company gala, weddings, prom, work, etc. After 8 years of being cancer free, I have been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. No matter what I am going through; my family and Yama Elegance LLC. will be a big source of strength for me. As a now 2-time cancer survivor, I am more encouraged than ever to bring my designs to the world.
In 2016 I moved to Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and it has been the base of operations for Yama Elegance. It is time for the world to embrace African beauty and couture. In 2018 we began our annual fashion show that is an expression of our mission of healing through beauty. There is an entire section of the show celebrating cancer survivors having them as the models. Yama Elegance is beauty with a sense of purpose…Healing.
"Yama Elegance LLC. was a dream that is now being realized."
At the age of 21 I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. I’d developed a tumor of 11.5 pounds in my abdomen. As I battled through surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation I realized that I needed to be mentally healthy in order to cure my body. Feeling and looking beautiful has been a huge factor in that mental wellness which helped me fight through to remission and endure treatment in my bout against Ovarian Cancer. I was at that time encouraged to help other people battle sickness through beauty the way I had done and thus was the inspiration of Yama Elegance LLC..
I share with the world my most powerful strategy for fighting cancer and other ailments through giving the gift of beauty and confidence. I use all types of fabrics but accentuate the versatility and exquisiteness of African print fabric. African prints have charm and beautiful colors that will allow anyone to be elegant. I design styles for all occasions: formal wear for the company gala, weddings, prom, work, etc. After 8 years of being cancer free, I have been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. No matter what I am going through; my family and Yama Elegance LLC. will be a big source of strength for me. As a now 2-time cancer survivor, I am more encouraged than ever to bring my designs to the world.
In 2016 I moved to Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and it has been the base of operations for Yama Elegance. It is time for the world to embrace African beauty and couture. In 2018 we began our annual fashion show that is an expression of our mission of healing through beauty. There is an entire section of the show celebrating cancer survivors having them as the models. Yama Elegance is beauty with a sense of purpose…Healing.
"Yama Elegance LLC. was a dream that is now being realized."
