“We didn’t see ourselves in the digital world… so I decided to build a space for us.”
Tell us who you are and how SdeBStore began.
I’m a 3D artist, entrepreneur, and digital creator born in Guadeloupe, living in France. My journey started back in 2010, when I discovered a software called Daz Studio. I was fascinated — it allowed me to create virtual characters and scenes in a new way — although I had already been working as a 3D modeler for several years using 3DS Max.
By 2012, I was using it regularly as a personal creative outlet. But I quickly hit a wall: I couldn’t find any 3D characters or hairstyles that looked like me or the people around me — nothing truly Afro or Black. That’s when I decided: if it doesn’t exist, I’ll make it myself.
So it started as a personal need?
Sam:
Exactly. I started designing Afro hairstyles and Black characters for my own scenes. But when I began sharing them on platforms in 2017, something surprising happened — the demand was huge. Other artists, especially from the diaspora, were asking for these same assets. Afro hair, in particular, was almost impossible to find.
So I kept creating. And slowly, I realized this was about more than just 3D art — it was about representation and visibility.
When did SdeBStore officially launch?
Sam:
In 2020, after testing my products and building a style on various platforms, I decided it was time to build my own space. A direct platform where I could sell my creations, control my brand, and stay close to my community.
That’s how SdeBStore.com was born.
What does “SdeBStore” mean?
Sam:
It comes from "S.de.B", short for "Silmon De Basse-Terre", which was originally a fashion brand idea I had back in 2010. I planned to use Daz Studio to generate virtual models for clothing design.
“Silmon De Basse-Terre” means “Silmon from Basse-Terre” — Basse-Terre being the southern part of Guadeloupe, where I was born. It’s a way to honor my origins and carry them with me in every creation.
What makes SdeBStore different?
Sam:
SdeBStore is Afrocentric by design. It’s not an add-on or a category — it’s the core. We create digital 3D assets that reflect the richness, beauty, and complexity of Black identity around the world.
- Authentic Afro hairstyles
- Detailed melanin skin shaders
- Characters inspired by African heritage, street culture, and Afrofuturism
We’re not just selling models — we’re building a cultural visual library for artists, game developers, animators, and creators who’ve been left out for too long.
Is your focus mostly on Africa?
Sam:
My vision is diasporic. We represent Blackness in all its shades and stories: from Kemet to Kingston, Dakar to Detroit, Basse-Terre to Brooklyn. Wherever our people are — that’s where our spirit is.
What do you want your customers to feel?
Sam:
I want them to feel seen, inspired, and empowered. I want them to open Daz Studio, Blender, or Unity, and finally say:
“Yes — that character looks like me. That hair, that skin, that vibe — it’s us.”
What’s next for you and SdeBStore?
Sam:
More characters, more hairstyles, more accessories. I’m also exploring tutorials, collaborations with other Afro creators, and even an Afrocentric 3D universe — where our aesthetics set the tone.
We’re not just reacting to the industry. We’re creating our own.
Final words?
Sam:
Thank you to everyone who supports what I do. Every model you download helps keep this vision alive — of a 3D world where we don’t have to beg for space, because we’ve already built our own.
This isn’t just a store.
It’s a declaration.
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