Mohammed: 11-year old fashion enthusiast

Raheemah Mohammed is one of Nigeria’s kid Entrepreneurs, she’s passionate about making friends and making her family look beautiful. Still deeply rooted in the Nigerian fashion, Raheemah has made funky clothing with “Ankara Fabrics. She is a young girl with great dreams, she is Self-driven and Enthusiastic. She will like to share her entrepreneurial journey with Nigerian kids.

How did your fashion Journey start?
I cannot really say nor remember exactly how it started. What I do remember is cutting out fashion statements from magazines and then started drawing and colouring clothing designs on plain paper. One day my mum bought me a sketch book and the rest is history.

Is fashion designing a hobby or a business?
Well, it basically started as a hobby but now it has started to grow into a business called R.A.I.S.H. Designs, Apparels & More.

Your Business name is really cool and unique R.a.i.s.h, yea? How did you come up with the name?
RAISH is actually my nickname created from my first name Raheemah. I have always been called RAISH at home and by some of my friends.
What’s your area of focus? Female clothing or unisex clothing? Female Clothing.

How did you create your first designs?
My first designs were actually brought to life by my mums tailor. It was around one of the Eid’s and I told my mum I had a design in mind. It came out so lovely and that encouraged me to continue to sketch and I have continued to design whatever myself and my sister wears for any celebration.

Tell us how your personal style affects your designs?
I love colours, bright ones. So you will see that most of my designs are brightly coloured and some are dazzled with stones/marbles to give them a POP. I also love wearing comfortable clothing so you will find that my creations are designed for comfort.

How did you feel about your first creation? Tell us about it? My first actual creation that I made from scratch (designed, cut and sewed) was a sleeveless pocket cropped top and free blowing ball like skirt. I made this at the KENT skill acquisition class held this August and it was a fun experience. I was amazed at how beautiful it was when I saw the video of me modelling the outfit.

Do you have a Role model in the fashion industry?
Not really, I admire some like Miss Tosin of SOTU Apparel, My Aunt Labisi who first taught me a few things about sewing and my Aunt Aramide who has been guiding me through this journey.

What motivates you and what would you like to change in the fashion industry as a young designer?
I am motivated to do more when people love my designs and when I see the few I have done worn and looking elegant.

I would love to change the thinking that you must expose parts of your body (that should be kept covered and private) for a design to be beautiful. There are several well covered up designs that are so beautiful. Have you seen Adele’s outfits? What is important is wearing clothing / designs that is suitable for your body type.

As a designer, how do you get inspired to sketch?
Most times, I am doing something entirely different from fashion and I get the thought in my mind and I just have to sketch it down no matter how late. Other times I see people’s outfit and improve on them.

Do you think this can become a lifelong career for you or you have other dreams?
Yes it can. However, I really do want to be a doctor taking care of kids (paediatrician).

How do you handle school work and fashion designing?
During the school period, I do not get a lot of time to design as there is always a lot of homework.

However, just before bed, my parents give me about 15mins to do some sketching and also during the weekends I get some few hours to design and sketch.

What skills will kids out there need to become a young successful fashion designer?
You will need a creative mind, be attentive, patient and dedicated.