'Behind the Seams' with Hanifa Bridal

Prepare to be captivated as we unveil the unseen, the exquisite, and the awe-inspiring world "Behind The Seams" of Hanifa's New Bridal Collection.

Firstly, double congratulations on your engagement and new addition to your family, your bundle of joy. Tell me a bit about your journey into the fashion industry. When did you first fall in love with fashion design and how has your journey evolved since then?

DESIGNER: HANIFA PHOTOS BY ABDM STUDIO

INTERVIEW BY DESIREE DOSSEN

Do ya'll remember during the pandemic when Hanifa "broke the internet" (more like the glass ceiling) with their 3D virtual fashion show, literally setting the standard for other designers to quickly learn CLO3D and host virtual fashion shows of their own?

Well, founder and fashion designer, Anifa Mvuemba, is back and setting more trends. And this time she’s entering the bridal chat!

Hanifa debuted their latest and most sought-after bridal collection of 31 pieces on October 14th, 2023, at the Black-owned Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia.

Brides-to-be, influencers, and girls with major wedding dreams could not get enough of the Runway show looks. Many quickly added these fresh styles to their Pinterest mood boards, myself included.

In a conversation with my best friend, we shared similar sentiments on which bridal look we would wear to each pre and post-wedding event (and neither of us is even engaged yet!).

Anifa Mvuemba is not new to the fashion world, but she is most definitely true to it.

As a supporter of her ready-to-wear collection since 2016, I could not contain my excitement for this latest drop. After visiting a Hanifa Sample Sale in 2019 let's just say Hanifa never disappoints. I cannot wait to see the bridal pieces in real life!

Join me in an exclusive e-interview with Anifa Mvuemba where you will meet the brilliant mind behind the collection, explore her creative process, and gain insight into the inspiration that has shaped the collection into a work of art: every bride’s dream.

I was drawn to fashion at a young age because of my mom, but I actually started in the industry with no formal training or experience. I started Hanifa in 2012 when I saw the need for bold, sophisticated, size-inclusive clothing. Since then, the brand has really evolved along with my own life.

As the Hanifa woman matures and gets older, do you believe many of your current clientele, the “Boss Babes,” and career women are getting engaged and married? Was this part of the reason you are now entering into the bridal market?

I’ve always said that the brand reflects where I am in life. When I started Hanifa, I was in my twenties and needed a birthday dress, so it only seems fitting that our bridal collection launches as I am a bride-to-be. Truthfully, a bridal collection has always been a dream of mine and has been years in the making.

I’ve been an avid follower of the Hanifa brand since 2015/2016 and even attended a sample sale in NYC in November 2019. How will this collection differ from other bridal designers in the market and what message about marriage and bridal fashion are you expecting to share with your audience?

I wanted this collection to focus on self-love and self-worth above anything. Just as the bride of Christ epitomizes devotion, grace, and feminine strength, our collection aims to empower brides to embrace their own unique radiance, celebrating the limitless woman within. The collection differs because it’s true to the

I believe God is in the seams of everything Hanifa touches and creates. I love how Hanifa adds bible scriptures to the tags of most of the pieces. What inspired you to create this particular collection? Are there specific themes or elements that you focused on?

Throughout this collection, I was inspired by the bride of Christ and focusing on self-love that helps prepare the heart for marriage.

Could you share insights into your design process for the bridal collection? What materials and techniques did you use to bring your vision to life?

This collection has been years in the making. We wanted to challenge ourselves by using different techniques and materials than our typical RTW pieces. I think I was most excited to see our beaded pieces come together. Several of our looks feature handbeaded crystals and sequins that really elevate the collection.

Hanifa has mastered the art of luxury ready to wear for the multicultural fashion market. Here at Munaluchi, our mission is to cater to the multicultural bridal market and represent couples of color. We want brides to see themselves and find inspiration and information when wedding planning. In which ways will Hanifa continue to set the standard of well-curated, size-inclusive fashion in a bespoke bridal manner?

We’ve always focused on being size-inclusive, so that will remain true throughout our bridal designs. For this collection, I wanted to incorporate skin-tone mesh pieces that can be customized to each bride’s complexion. I’m so excited to see them on our future Hanifa brides.

I love the Hanifa color palette and cannot wait to see what the main color story will be introduced for the Hanifa bridal collection. Can you tell us if there will be signature silhouettes or styles that brides-to-be should be looking forward to? For example, taking the Hanifa Kleo Jumpsuit, and Luna Halter Gown, and making a bridal version?

We were happy to feature a couple of classic Hanifa pieces in our Bridal collection – the Luna gown and Simone gown are getting their bridal moments.

Will we get the chance to see more coordinating combinations such as a two-piece bridal blazer suit and palazzo pant combination?

Yes!

Are the pieces from the collection mainly reception wear or will there be a nice mixture of wedding ceremony, civil courthouse wedding, and reception looks?

There are looks for every part of the bridal journey, I wanted to incorporate looks for every bride in our debut collection.

Hanifa RTW is doing wonders with unconventional footwear and accessories designs. Will Hanifa Bridal include accessories, including more mules and comfortable shoe selections for the bride to stand tall all day? Will we see headpieces in this collection?

Yes, this collection features accessories and headpieces to pair with different looks. I’m very excited to continue designing that part of the collection.

Bridal design is intricate and demanding. What challenges are you facing currently during the creative process, and how are you overcoming them?

I think the most challenging part is bringing the vision to life of the overall Hanifa Bridal experience. Throughout the process, I’ve realized that Bridal is its own department, and we’re essentially developing a new brand with its own look, feel, and voice.

There are a lot of moving parts and we’re always striving to elevate as a brand by giving our customers the very best experience. Listening to them and placing ourselves in their shoes is what continues to guide us towards this growth.

Additionally, what moments so far are bringing you the most satisfaction and pride while planning to bring this collection to life?

Launching Bridal has truly been a full circle moment for me, starting with custom pieces for brides as a new designer in my twenties and re-entering the space with more knowledge and new passion in my thirties has been rewarding.

Will your collection offer custom gowns like a bridal atelier where brides-to-be will be able to visit your bridal studio or showroom for fittings?

Not immediately, but yes.

How will your bridal collection be organized, solely sold online or can brides shop in person?

We’ve been working on the backend to develop this branch of Hanifa in the right way. Brides can shop our RTW pieces online, but soon they’ll be able to book an appointment in our bridal atelier to find the perfect made-toorder dress for their special day.

Do you already have brides who will be wearing your gowns in 2024?

Our RTW pieces are available to shop, so hopefully we’ll start seeing Brides wearing our pieces in the next couple of months!

What do you hope to achieve with this bridal collection? Are there any plans or projects in the pipeline that your admirers can look forward to?

This Bridal collection is the first expansion of Hanifa. We like to keep our customers and supporters guessing about what’s next.

Lastly, I believe many of your followers want to know this just like myself, will you be designing your wedding dress?

I guess we’ll see!

As we draw our journey "Behind The Seams" of Hanifa's New Bridal Collection to a close, we are left in awe of the dedication, creativity, and innovation that define this extraordinary collection.

From sole to crown, it's evident that Hanifa's vision goes far beyond creating beautiful garments; it's about crafting an experience that speaks to the soul of every bride.

Hanifa has mastered the art of midi, maxi hemmed skirts and dresses, wide-leg jumpsuits and trousers, exaggerated sleeves, and figure-flattering silhouettes. With this new bridal collection, Anifa will continue to make the Hanifa bride smile with more two-piece coordinated looks and suit styles.

We hope you've been as inspired as we have been by this interview, which has given us a glimpse of the incredible artistry and dedication that make Hanifa's bridal collection truly special.

From the designer's perspective, this journey is a labor of love, a dream that has transformed into reality, and it's a testament to the commitment to serving every bride with the utmost care and devotion.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Hanifa for allowing us to peek "Behind The Seams" of this exceptional collection. Her designs serve as a reminder that fashion is not just about clothing; it's about storytelling, culture, and embracing the beauty of diversity.

As you embark on your bridal journey, remember that you too can serve style through representation, from sole to crown, and shine as the radiant, unique individual you are.

Thank you for joining us on this captivating journey. If you haven’t started planning your wedding yet, just go ahead and add Hanifa to your bridal fashion list!