On April 15, 2025, Amina Shagari made history as she debuted Amina The Brand’s Cruise 2025 collection, Blossom, at Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week. Held at the iconic St. Regis Saadiyat Island, the show was a celebration of elegance, identity, growth and marked a powerful step forward for Nigerian fashion on the global stage.
We caught up with Amina shortly after her showcase to reflect on the moment, her journey, and what lies ahead for modest fashion in Africa and beyond.
Amina, congratulations again on a successful showcase in Abu Dhabi. Now that it’s over, how are you feeling?
Thank you so much. I’m still trying to process it all—it was a whirlwind of emotion, pride, and gratitude. To see Blossom come alive in such a powerful space, with women from all over the world connecting with the vision, was deeply affirming. It reminded me why I started this journey.
Before we get into how “Blossom” was received, let’s go back a bit. Why did you choose to focus on fashion and more specifically, modest fashion as your path?
I’ve always believed that fashion is a form of identity, and growing up in Sokoto within a deeply spiritual culture, I saw how beauty and modesty could coexist. When I moved to the UK for university, I began to explore fashion more seriously and realized there was a gap. Where were the clothes that honored both faith and femininity without compromise? Amina The Brand was born out of a desire to fill that space and celebrate women who wanted more from fashion, more meaning, more elegance, more expression.
We noticed some familiar faces at the show and even online, wearing your designs. What has it been like seeing powerful women embrace your work on such a global stage?
It’s humbling and so inspiring. When women I admire wear our pieces, it validates the intention behind the designs. These women embody grace and strength, they don’t follow trends, they set them. Seeing them in Amina The Brand makes me feel like we’re part of a much larger movement redefining power, beauty, and self-worth.
Now let’s talk “Blossom.” Seeing it come to life on the runway must have been surreal. What inspired this collection, and how did the audience respond?
Blossom was a deeply personal collection. It was inspired by the idea of growth of a woman coming into her own, season by season. I used flowers as metaphors: soft yet powerful, gentle yet rooted. From pastels to twilight tones, every piece told a story of transformation. The audience’s reaction was overwhelming people were moved not just by the visuals, but by the feeling the collection evoked.
Why was Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week the right platform to launch this particular collection?
Abu Dhabi represents a blend of tradition and forward-thinking elegance, which is exactly what Blossom stands for. Modest Fashion Week here is more than a show, it’s a global conversation, and I wanted to contribute to that dialogue with something meaningful, distinctly African, and intentionally feminine.
You’ve often said that modest fashion is not a limitation but a form of self-expression. Did you feel that message came through clearly on the runway?
Absolutely. Modesty is not about hiding, it’s about highlighting your essence in a way that feels authentic. Every model on that runway radiated confidence. You could see it in their posture, their energy. That’s the message I wanted to send: Modest fashion isn’t muted, it speaks volumes.
From your roots in Sokoto to showcasing in Abu Dhabi, it’s a full-circle moment. Looking back, what turning points really shaped your journey?
There were so many small moments that felt like whispers from God—moments that told me, “Keep going.” Starting out with no formal fashion education and relying on YouTube tutorials was humbling. But the turning point came when I realized that my perspective as a Northern woman was valid, needed, and even powerful. That belief carried me from local markets in Nigeria to international stages.
When women wore your clothes on that stage or even after the show, what did you hope they felt?
I hoped they felt seen, celebrated, and strong. Every stitch in our garments is intentional, meant to honor the woman wearing it. Whether she’s walking into a boardroom or down a runway, I want her to feel like her most empowered self.
As a modest designer in a fast-paced, often revealing industry, what has been your biggest challenge and how did this event help push past it?
One challenge has been shaking off the misconception that modest means boring. There’s this unspoken pressure to conform to global beauty standards that don’t always reflect our values. This event shattered that idea. Blossom proved that modest fashion can be just as bold, desirable, and emotionally resonant as anything else on the runway.
Were there any mentors, collaborators, or behind-the-scenes supporters you’d like to acknowledge after this milestone moment?
So many. My team at Amina The Brand—they worked around the clock with so much heart. Huemaine, our PR partners, believed in this vision from the start and amplified our voice on a global level. And my family, especially my mother, who taught me that elegance is a virtue and came all the way to Abu Dhabi to support me. Without them, this wouldn’t have happened.
Your background in Business Management from Coventry University in England has always been part of your story. How did that training help with pulling off a global presentation like this?
It taught me to think strategically. Fashion is creativity, yes, but it’s also logistics, leadership, budgeting, and branding. Having that foundation helped me structure our operations and scale the brand with clarity and purpose
Now that you’ve stepped onto the global stage, what’s one thing you wish more people knew about the fashion industry in Nigeria?
That it’s teeming with originality, innovation, and heart. Nigerian designers are not just riding trends, we’re building culture. We merge tradition and modernity in ways that deserve global respect, and I hope platforms like this shine a light on that brilliance.
What do you hope younger designers, especially those in Africa, took away from your Abu Dhabi moment?
That you don’t need to dilute your identity to succeed globally. Stay rooted, stay intentional. Your background is not a barrier, it’s your superpower. I want them to know that excellence speaks all languages, and the world is ready for our stories.
And finally, what’s next for Amina The Brand? With A Store in Abuja and Stockists in Lagos already, should we expect a new showroom in Dubai, New York, Paris or Abu Dhabi soon?
Let’s just say the petals of Blossom are still unfolding. We’re exploring international retail opportunities—yes, including the cities you mentioned and also working on exciting new projects. But no matter where we go, the soul of the brand will always remain grounded in purpose and heritage.
Conclusion
From Sokoto to Saadiyat Island, Amina Shagari continues to redefine what it means to be a modern African designer. With Blossom, she delivered a beautiful collection message. One about grace, identity, and the strength of staying true to your roots.
And if the Abu Dhabi showcase is anything to go by, Amina The Brand is just beginning its global journey.
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