Among Leicester’s growing community of fashion entrepreneurs, Latifa Abdi is carving out a niche with her elegant vision: creating luxury Abayas made in the UK using deadstock fabrics – a sustainable and culturally connected alternative to mass-produced imports.
Latifa joined the Skills Bootcamp – New Skills for Fashion Businesses course at Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) Leicester, with the hope of turning her long-held interest in fashion into a viable brand. Despite having no formal background in stitching, she quickly developed her skills and confidence through the programme.
“Abayas are a traditional outfit worn by women with Middle Eastern heritage,” explains Latifa. “In those regions, luxury fabrics are fairly common. My friends often order online from websites that don’t manufacture in the UK and that’s where my idea came from. I want to manufacture here in Leicester, sourcing high-quality deadstock fabrics to make something truly special.”
Claire from Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) and the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) recalls how Latifa came to her first meeting with both Jo and Claire, already having designed, patterned, and stitched her own reversible Abaya – a thoughtful and versatile design feature intended to add value for her future customers.
“Latifa came to the first meeting with Jo and me with an Abaya she had designed, cut, and stitched herself,” Claire says. “The garment was made to be reversible, which adds an extra touch of luxury and flexibility for the wearer. We discussed how FEL could help boost her brand’s exposure through social media, and even potentially stock her collection in our London shop. She has a great product and a really strong understanding of her customer base.”
Latifa’s journey from early research to confident designer has been a testament to the opportunities created when skills training meets entrepreneurial spirit. With the continued support of FTA and ATMF, she is now preparing to build her brand that bridges tradition, quality, and UK manufacturing.