E-commerce · fashion
Couleurs d'Afrique 974 — Redesign of an online store selling ready-to-wear wax clothing
A ready-to-wear wax clothing store in Réunion that switched from WooCommerce to a custom-built platform: the brand’s identity takes center stage, user journeys are clearer, and the technical infrastructure is finally easy to scale.
Visit the websiteCouleurs d'Afrique 974 (new tab)Context
Upgrade an existing online store without losing its identity.
Couleurs d'Afrique 974 sells ready-to-wear clothing online featuring wax prints. The store already existed, built on a WooCommerce platform that had become slow and difficult to scale.
An online store does more than just display a catalog. It must immediately convey the brand’s identity, make it easy to discover products, be accessible on both mobile devices and computers, and provide a seamless shopping experience.
The redesign therefore had to strike a balance between three requirements that often pull in opposite directions: brand identity, business effectiveness, and technical quality.
Changing the look of a store isn’t enough—we needed to overhaul how it works.
Redesign
Rethinking more than just the appearance.
The store was completely rebuilt using Django and Nuxt. But a redesign isn’t a complete overhaul: the store’s core elements—its catalog and past orders—were carried over, and the new version was thoroughly tested before replacing the old one.
The redesign process
- Catalog update
- Retrieving order history
- New Django/Nuxt platform
- Preview only, not indexed
- Tests
- Switch to production
Each step protects what already exists: nothing from the store’s past is lost, and the live site remains in place until the new version has proven itself.
UX/UI
Showcase products without complicating user journeys.
The client
The Wax universe is built around patterns and colors: the visuals should fill the space without the navigation getting lost in the background.
- Understand the brand’s world from the moment you arrive
- Browse categories naturally
- View products in optimal conditions
- Find the information you need to place an order
- Go straight to checkout
The store
When it comes to management, simplicity is the priority: a store that updates and runs smoothly without you having to struggle with the platform.
- Catalog and media
- Order tracking and status updates
- Delivery times by region
- Products with a down payment and gift certificates
The interface design did not involve toning down a strong brand identity to create a generic e-commerce site, but rather using that identity to highlight the products: a clear hierarchy, generous visuals, and user journeys that remain simple.
E-commerce
From catalog to order.
Catalog
- Catalog imported from the old store
- Bilingual catalog
Offers
- Products available on installment
- Gift cards
- A wide variety of options in the sales funnel
Orders
- Order history restored
- Order status
- Delivery times by region
Architecture and performance
A database that’s faster and easier to maintain.
The slowness of the old store was part of the initial assessment. The new architecture separates the interface, powered by Nuxt, from the store’s logic, powered by Django: each part can evolve without compromising the other, with the goal of fast page loading.
Media files are stored separately from the code: a fashion store relies on its photos, and every update to the site leaves them untouched.
- Frontend
- Nuxt
- Backend
- Django
- Media
- Stored outside the code
- Data included
- Catalog and orders
Responsive
The same user journeys, regardless of the screen.
For a fashion store, the user journeys often begin on a phone. Responsive design isn’t just a scaled-down version of the site—it’s the same user experience, designed to feel natural on every screen.
- The visuals remain in their designated spaces on smaller screens without overwhelming the rest of the page.
- The content and information are easy to read, without being overwhelming.
- The main actions are all within easy reach, from browsing the catalog to placing an order.
- Computers, tablets, and phones all share the same navigation logic.
Revamp of the existing site
A redesign is not a complete overhaul.
An established store has a history: products, customers, and orders. The catalog and order history were carried over to the new platform so that the redesign would not erase any part of the existing business.
The new version was tested on a separate, unindexed staging environment before any switchover: the live site was not exposed to an unfinished version, neither to customers nor to search engines.
Summary
What the project helped build.
- 01A brand identity that stands out more clearly.
- 02More seamless e-commerce user journeys, from the catalog to checkout.
- 03An experience designed for products across all screens.
- 04Continuity maintained: catalog and orders carried over.
- 05A well-designed architecture that’s easier to maintain.
- 06A foundation that allows the store to continue evolving.
