Hanifa is such a unique name, what is the meaning behind it?
I love answering this question. People always ask my why there's an H there. Although my family has now converted to Christianity, I was born into Islam, so my siblings and I have Muslim names. Hanifa is actually how it's pronounced in Arabic. It means believe. Believing has actually played a significant role in Hanifa's success today and most importantly, in my personal growth.
I love answering this question. People always ask my why there's an H there. Although my family has now converted to Christianity, I was born into Islam, so my siblings and I have Muslim names. Hanifa is actually how it's pronounced in Arabic. It means believe. Believing has actually played a significant role in Hanifa's success today and most importantly, in my personal growth.
What would you say was the biggest obstacle or challenge you had to get over in the early stages of building your brand?
I started out, doing everything by myself,the garments, product images, retouching photos, designing the website, and the list goes on. Being disciplined and being organized was difficult for me. I also had a hard time bringing other people in because I was so used to doing it all. I then realized it's cool to do everything, but at the same time, it was becoming my downfall. I begin to feel burnt out and I started to resent it. Then I begin doubting everything and I decided I would take a break. I also began to understand that this is a business, and I need to treat it as such. Now, I have a great group of women who have been more than amazing in assisting me and taking on various roles to help push Hanifa forward. You can't do it alone.
Growing up was designing always something you saw yourself doing?
Absolutely not - my dream was to be a singer or a teacher. But my mom has always been into fashion. It has always been an interest of mine. I just didn't know I would be designing until college. That's when God revealed it to me.
That's a hard one, I don't think there is one word that describes us because Hanifa is still evolving and becoming.
Being a designer and running your own business can be hectic at times, what is an average day for you like?
First and foremost, my relationship with the Lord is key. I'll pray and reflect, then I catch up on some reading. I'll check my emails afterward, then check in with my manager. From there, I begin to tackle my to-do list for the day.
You launched Hanifa in 2011, how would you say the brand has evolved since then?
Wow, the brand has definitely evolved since then. I stayed true to myself and vision overall, but you can definitely see the growth in my work with the release of each collection. It gets better every single time.
Maintaining a sense of work-life balance can be tough, especially when you are your own boss, how do you handle balancing the two?
If you are doing what you love, it no longer feels like work. So with that being said, you can easily work 12-hour days and not realize it. But it catches up to you eventually. This was also a challenge for me. Now I have a set schedule that I follow.
You are a designer so you know what looks good on women, what are five things you think every woman should have in their wardrobe?
You could never go wrong with basics. A white Tee, a great pair of wide leg pants, a pencil and skater skirt, and a little black dress.
What is the best advice you have ever received, and what is the best advice you can give anyone aspiring to work in fashion?
It's never too late to start over. If you weren't happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don't stay stuck. Do better.The best advice I can give someone is staying true to yourself, get a journal and write EVERYTHING down, never take the first no for an answer, believe and have faith.
ALL PHOTOS COURTSEY OF HANIFA.CO
Awesome fashion design in this blog. Looking beautiful. Thank you so much.
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