Today we’d like to introduce you to Ameena Abdul-Hakeem.
Hi Ameena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey began when I made the decision to pursue what made me happy. I was a 19 year-old Georgia State biology student juggling part-time jobs at Abercrombie & Fitch, J.Crew, and the campus call center. My family didn’t have money, so I worked hard to afford school and chose the medical path because all I desired was financial security. Eventually, I became so unhappy that I stopped everything. I moved to Los Angeles with a friend to start a new life doing literally anything different. While I remained in LA for a year, I became so immersed in art and fashion that I returned to Atlanta with a fashion portfolio. After teaching myself to sketch and sew, I realized I wanted to design all the time. Although I didn’t know anyone in real life who looked like me and made good money as a fashion designer, I took the plunge anyway. I embraced the idea of being a career artist and enrolled in Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta).
Upon graduation, I was reminded why I had such a fear of pursuing this type of career. Finding a decent-paying entry-level fashion design position that doesn’t require you to move across country and live with 5 roommates is extremely difficult. Despite my efforts, I wasn’t offered an opportunity at a fashion company. I had to remember that I was more than able to create my own opportunity, then Ameena Abdul Design became official. I recently launched another brand, MEENA Loungerie.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Entrepreneurship is definitely not easy, especially when you also work a full-time job like I did for the first two years. I began self-funded and I bet it all on myself. When you have limited resources, you have to sacrifice, hustle, and understand that you are playing the long game. At times, mindset has been a struggle for me. I can always push myself to work harder, longer hours, or whatever but I need positivity to fuel my ambitions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fashion designer and entrepreneur specializing in custom suits, evening wear dresses, and lingerie. I take pride in the high-quality garments I produce sustainably in-house. There are many emerging designers, but few who hone their craft and provide luxury handmade garments. I’m passionate about making women feel powerful and confident in how they show up in the world. My brand is an entire experience.
How do you think about luck?
I believe that if you are persistent in pursuit of what you want and have good intentions, things will align for you as they should. I place Allah (God) at the center of what I do and I’ve found that things always work out for me. Anytime I had what I thought was a setback or loss, that thing is replaced with something better. My “lucky” experiences correlate with my faith.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@ameenaabdul.com
- Website: ameenaabdul.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designer_ameenaabdul/
- Other: https://shopmeena.com/
Image Credits
Joe Perry, Shamel McLean, Jaylon Smith, Chris Millsap, Branden Green, Taylor Winbush, Jasmine Raiford, Kassian Brianna
