Graduating with a Second-Class Upper in Building Technology from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State in 2012 was the right bounce that Ms Fatima Titilayo Olanipekun needed to set her path to independence.
It did not take long before she completed a fashion design apprenticeship that would also set her on the path of a career in fashion and pattern cutting, onward launching a clothing brand that would be dedicated to meeting the needs of women with preference for modest clothing that matches functionality with elegance.
By the time she proceeded for her Master’s degree in Fashion and Creative Pattern Cutting from Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom, it was a matter of time before founding Almithaaliyah Venture, also known as Almithaaliyah Limited in the UK, where she is now recognised as a fashion designer and creative pattern cutter.
While Olanipekun initially chose to build her creative business independently — confident in her expertise and industry competence — she now recognizes the value of collaboration.
She is open to partnering with other talents and professionals in the fashion industry to accelerate growth, expand capacity, and scale the business to a stronger market position.
“As the sole owner, I managed every aspect of the business, from fabric sourcing to design, pattern cutting, client services and social media marketing,” she says, although she also admits that the role is onerous and demanding.
“I can say it has given me invaluable experience. For a decade, I grew the brand through perseverance and resilience, while constantly seeking to expand my knowledge in both design and business, leading me to Nottingham Trent University where I gained advanced skills in creative pattern cutting, mastered industry-standard software such as Lectra Modaris and Clo 3D as well as deepened my understanding of sustainable fashion practices,” she also says.
Olanipekun’s quest for excellency is without borders. Having graduated with distinction at the Nottingham varsity, her current work focuses on exploring sustainability through zero-waste and minimal-waste design approaches while seeking to share her journey and this unique fusion with a Nigerian audience.
“I am not fully there yet, but each collection moves me closer to building a responsible, innovative brand that balances creativity with accountability. With the completion of my Master’s in 2024, I have since registered my business in the UK and commenced trading.’
My brand is positioned to merge contemporary Western aesthetics with modest wear principles, tailored for the modern Muslim woman. It reflects not only my Nigerian roots but also the skills and perspective I have gained in the UK fashion industry,’ she concludes.
It is no surprising, therefore, that her mission statement is unequivocal: “To create sophisticated, sustainable fashion that empowers women by merging Western contemporary aesthetics with the elegance of modest wear.”
