Born in Congo, Central Africa, Aline Matsika flew to Paris, France, with her parents. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sales and Marketing from the University of Paris and her Master’s Degree in Business from Ecole Privee de Preparation a la Pratique des Affaires, respectively in 1985 and 1988 in Paris. Aline spent her next four years working extensively as a global fashion model, traveling from Paris to Milan, London, Tokyo, and New York. In 1995, she went on a journey throughout Africa as an antique collector. The expedition inspired her to start her new business, Concept Ethnique. In 1996, Aline opened her first Concept Ethnique store in Paris, located at 51 Rue des Francs-bourgeois on Rive Droite. Aware of the future outlook, she invested on another store at 5 Quai de Conti on Rive Gauche, in 1998. The business buys and sells African and French antiques, art and decorative objects to collectors, dealers, interior designers and retail customers. Concept Ethnique combines both French and African aesthetics in furniture and objects to create a new, unique and dramatic design that works in traditional and contemporary homes. Aline traveled far and wide throughout Africa and France to gather and collect merchandise which includes antique hardwares, artifacts, fabrics, doors, primitive art, light fixtures, and furniture. These objects are carefully selected not only to blend both the classical and modern home environment but also to bring diversity in domestic lifestyle. In addition, Concept Ethnique provides consultation for interior design to further improve and accentuate the existing merchandise and objects within a space. Her customers range from professional interior decorators, to movie productions, and photographers. Concept Ethnique’s furniture, antiques, art objects and designs have been featured in numerous design magazines throughout Europe. In April 1999, Maison Francaise described Concept Ethnique as “mixing talent and originality with traditional crafts (furniture, textiles), masks, antiques, statues, and contemporary decorative objects.” Schoner Wohnen Decoration featured Aline Matsika and her design concepts in its May 1999 issue. Concept Ethnique is also praised on its recovery of French style furniture in traditional materials. In March 1999, Maisons Cote Sud devoted a major article to Ms. Matsika and Concept Ethnique. Her home was filmed in 1999 by TVA DECO.