GUAP Meets: Aissata Ibrahima [@aissataibrahima]

One to look out for in London’s rising fashion scene, Aissata Ibrahima has set the standard with her recent SS20 collection titled ‘Lovers’. She describes the looks in the collection as ‘timeless silhouettes of masculine-inspired tailoring’ reimagined ‘with modern innovative design and subtle feminine delicacy in details’.

‘My current collection is about dating in a digital world’, Aissata says. Describes herself as a hopeless romantic, love has always been a theme within her designs, dating back to her graduate collections. She enjoys exploring the different parts to a romantic relationship, from the struggles and dysfunctional problems to the laughs and joy. Aissata’s SS20 collection and look book is her proudest moment so far.

Her introduction to fashion was in secondary school. It was the first thing she fell in love with and gave her purpose. It allowed her to escape during that time in her life and she made it her main focus. Fast forward to now, she founded her eponymous brand last year with her first lookbook released in November. She states that she wanted more control over her designs, having worked for other brands in the past. ‘You don’t have much decision’, Ibrahima states and as she is attached to the clothes, she wanted more of a say over the whole process.

The young creative is a fan of every step of the design process. She wholly enjoys the initial research stage where she leans on collaging and draping to guide her. Once settled on an idea, she makes her first twirl which is then made in the final fabric.

Aissata hopes that her story inspires the next generation of black designers and creatives. As a young black girl who had no connections to the industry and didn’t know anything fashion, she persevered to bring her dream of owning a luxury fashion brand to life. We’re excited for more to come from Aissata!

Photography by @shenellkennedy

Set design by @missmvureen.studio