KHADEEJA'S CRAFT: JOURNEY OF CREATION

Khadeeja's story is one of dedication, creativity, and a passion for turning her visions into reality. She stands out in a world where many young people are consumed by technology, demonstrating the power of creation and the beauty of handmade artistry. Khadeeja's commitment to authenticity and quality sets her apart in the fast-fashion world, proving that the road less traveled can lead to extraordinary destinations.

Co Magazine was fortunate enough to meet Khadeeja. In an attempt to learn more about her distinct universe, we began by asking her about her life from childhood to the present.

Khadeeja replied: I'm Khadeeja, a 19-year-old second-year student at the Faculty of Mass Communication. I was always one of the best students, and I held the top spot in my school's senior year of high school.

I have been drawn to artistic and multi-talented endeavors throughout my life. I enjoy working, and I dislike being unproductive. For me, rest is a kind of agony. Since I was about ten years old, I have worked, but in a lighthearted and enjoyable manner. For instance, I worked as a babysitter for a while at my mother's nursery, earning my first 400 EGP. In addition, I volunteered in numerous associations and worked at a souvenirs center and gift shop.

My mother taught me how to rely on myself and face different situations. Even though my mother never turned down a request from me, she always put a lot of effort into providing for me. I always suffer from anxiety as I constantly think about my goals, career, and accomplishments.

When did you first start feeling passionate about crafts, especially sewing?

From a young age, I showed great talent and multiple skills. Drawing became my passion at the age of 5, and I excelled in it, participating in various competitions. Recognizing my talent, my mother supported me by enrolling me in drawing courses. I also explored other talents such as jewelry making and started selling my creations through a family store. I became an entrepreneur in the fifth grade, showcasing my work during Business Days at school.

My passion for drawing led me to explore fashion design. I began sketching designs and dreaming of becoming a fashion designer. At 11 years old, I joined a workshop focused on children's tailoring and found immense joy in the experience. I loved altering the appearance of my clothes, and my grandmother assisted me in sewing them. On my 16th birthday, I fulfilled my dream of buying a sewing machine and started learning how to use it, creating numerous pieces with the help of online courses.

When I started wearing hijab at 12, I faced the challenge of finding hijab-appropriate clothing. This led me to modify my purchased clothes to suit my hijab style. Sewing gradually became my primary hobby, surpassing my other interests. I stopped drawing, realizing that I could create limitless designs and garments as a fashion designer. This newfound freedom and creativity in fashion design is what I'm most proud of.

Why this field in particular, specially since you're a young girl and this generation is more into technology and fast-paced things?

Honestly, I have no attachment or love for technology, tech games, or anything related to them. I am not at all comfortable with it, from my perspective, it's destructive to humanity, peace, and comfort. I am a person who constantly suffers from stress and anxiety, and nothing relieves me except exerting physical effort during work. Also, working on sewing is something related to art, imagination, and boundless creativity, which is what I love, away from using numbers and inanimate theoretical things.

I don't care about people's preferred occupations, nor which positions generate the most income. I believe that I am capable of earning and making money through working in what I love.

And what was your first step into the world of design and sewing, specifically up-cycling?

As I mentioned, the idea of up-cycling started with me in childhood through watching simple DIY videos on YouTube, but it was never done professionally. Then I've been watching fashion shows with my mother and many fashion programs like Mixed & Fashion, and all the channels that stream related shows. I was truly obsessed with what I saw; it was a human miracle to me, and that was the turning point towards the world of fashion design & up-cycling, 

What was people's reactions to such a step? Were there any criticisms against you or the idea?

Indeed, there were only minor criticisms, which made me very happy. The content I used to provide before was mainly about styling some pieces in a way that I found suitable for myself, while others considered it something different. There were a lot of unjustified attacks on it. However, when I started creating content about sewing and clothing recycling, I didn't face any criticism. On the contrary, the majority of people admired the idea, and this makes me very proud. Through this content, I was able to change the perspective of many viewers, and many of them now want to learn sewing and enter the world of design and fashion. They mention my name and admire the idea that I design and sew my clothes from scratch, making them unique and having their special style. They desire to achieve the same thing through learning sewing. Now, I am the first one to start the up-cycling trend, which wasn't widely spread before I began it, with many people presenting the same idea.

Up-cycling clothes is a different idea from other designers. How did you come up with this idea?

The beginning of the up-cycling idea was as I mentioned. It started when I tried to buy hijab outfits, but they didn't work out to represent hijabis. So, I started thinking about utilizing my sewing skills and owning a sewing machine to modify these pieces into ones that would fit the hijab beautifully and even better than they originally were. The first piece was a blouse that I transformed into a very beautiful full dress that had no equal. This was the beginning of up-cycling, and truly the beginning of sewing bloggers. It was a challenge for me, as I wondered if I would have time to sew, design, film, and present content. It seemed difficult, however, by coincidence, I had an old video of “My Grandma’s Jalabia”, a well-known one among my followers; The video showcases the piece before and after styling it, without details. That made it easier for me afterward.

What's new with Khadeeja? Where do you want to take your brand, and is it possible to see a new online showroom called 'Khadeeja' in the market soon?

It's been a long journey; I began considering the brand a year ago when I started working on it. After that, I took a step back to add some changes. I then worked on the brand identity, the initial designs, and every detail. Suddenly, I decided to cancel these all. I had grand plans to offer products with a high level of sophistication and luxury, similar to Christian Dior and other global fashion houses that would compete on a worldwide scale right away. Getting my designs on the fashion runways of the world has been my dream.

Since this was giving me a lot of stress, I decided to start with more simplicity. Not every big brand began with the same level of luxury that they have today. It grew gradually. My online brand and showroom will launch within a few weeks Insha’Allah, with a simple logo and some designs I had made a while back but hadn't exhibited.

After opening my showroom, I'll begin working on new designs. I came to understand that reaching your dreams requires climbing stairs gradually rather than leaping to the top. That’s to mention, my old way of thinking prevented me from launching my brand and showroom earlier.

I've already presented my designs at bazaars, and I plan to attend more of them now that I have the brand. I may collaborate with other renowned fashion brands.

In addition, I'm studying under the Egyptian Clothing Bank-funded "Men Komash – (From Fabric)" one-of-its-kind scholarship, focusing on up-cycling and fashion. Next September, we have an up-cycled clothing fashion show, which will be a significant milestone for me and a big occasion for fashion and clothing recycling in Egypt, it will be in collaboration with the show.

What are your most important goals and aspirations, both in work and life?

My goal is for my designs to be seen by a large worldwide audience and to be featured in global fashion shows. The first step in accomplishing my objectives is to begin in Egypt, and then there will be worldwide performances in Paris and other nations.

Also, I aspire to live a natural life like all people, I don't like to be the ONE-MAN SHOW, who dedicated all of her life to work, taking care of all aspects of the operation, including design, execution, and marketing. To have more time for my hobbies, I would want to work with full team work and success together. I want to be able to make enough money to be free to travel, pursue my interests aside from work, finish my education, get married, start a family, and lead a fulfilling life.

Do you have other hobbies? And which designers do you consider as role models?

Unfortunately, the designer I greatly admire or who serves as my role model is no longer with us. The legendary designer, Coco Chanel, especially in her march from the beginning to the end, when she was peddling hats on the sidewalk until she reached global recognition in her later years. Despite all of the challenges she faced—including the World War, she nevertheless stuck to her dream and preserved her brand. There's a quote of hers that I love and will use as the base for my brand: "Chanel doesn't follow trends; she makes them." I genuinely live by this quote, which has had a profound effect on me. Every time someone discusses fashion and trends with me, I always bring up this remark when someone talks to me about trends and fashion since I am the one who makes the style, not the one who follows it. A fashion designer is a thinker and a fashion maker, not a follower.

What advice would you give to girls your age? And are you planning to open a school to teach girls sewing and design?

There is a cooperation between me and the Fashion Hub, an educational institution that specializes in fashion and apparel production. Girls will receive integrated training on fashion and up-cycling along with a variety of activities on the topic. The workshops have already started, and the full course will shortly be announced.

I would advise everyone, not just girls, to start exploring who they are, what they are passionate about, and what they want to do with their lives early on. The most important thing is to acquire new abilities, resist the need for comfort, and avoid wasting time on social media or online gaming. I only use social media in my spare time when I'm exhausted. But during ordinary hours, I only use it to present my work.

It is a waste of time for people to focus on relationships or winning others over. Particularly in your youth, the emphasis should be on your accomplishments and realizing your goals.