Meet Haoua Mamoudou | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haoua Mamoudou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haoua, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I used to work as an admin associate in an INGO, but got tired of the repetitive tasks and assignments, I just didn’t fill fulfilled anymore. I had always wanted to work in fashion, but it seemed like a faraway goal. During the pandemic, not being to go anywhere, being stuck at home, I needed a creative outlet. I got a strong case of wanderlust and kept daydreaming about being a beach somewhere on a tropical island surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water.
I instinctively started doodling and sketching resort wear, it really stared from there, I started combining my need for a creative outlet with my goal of being my own boss one day. The result was NÜÜBA, my clothing label.
I ventured into an often overlook niche which is vacation clothing, but I wanted to make sure that they were elevated and versatile garments to be worn of your next gateway and beyond.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Background I am from Senegal, a small coastal country in West Africa. I studied in Canada and vacationed often in the US growing up.
I think it allowed me to really open my mind to different cultures, and ways of life and expand my horizons. I think that in the globalized world we live in today, there is always something to learn from different regional blocks.
This exposure allowed me to speak 3 languages fluently, learning a 4th one right now.
I think I am very lucky, in the sense that, I get to hold on to my native culture while immersing myself in others. There is a richness there.

Hustle
When I first launched my business, work-life balance was something I really didn’t think about, I was on the hustle. I viewed working 60 hours a week or more as a commitment,
Now, I only put in extra work when I need to. I have learned to divide my time by setting mini-goals, devoting some days to deep focused work, while others are devoted to lighter tasks. I think, it helps with my time management and helps to keep me centered.
I think, as a business owner, you must set boundaries and ask yourself what is important to you and go from there. I value time with family more than anything and will make the effort to stop work earlier if it means cooking a family dinner with my loved ones.
Obviously, everybody’s situation is different, and some people are willing to put in 5x the work because they have a very specific goal in mind. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer, just what works for you.

Immigrant
Having a business that is female-led, immigrant-led, and black-led.
Building a business as a woman, to begin with, is not very easy, because you often time must deal with sexism and discrimination for what most people would consider mundane activities such when you apply to get a loan when you participate in a business meeting.
It seems that you are put in this neat box with labels and when you refuse to be packaged in stereotypes it bothers people.
But, as an immigrant, I am fighting for my American dream every day that God makes, and I won’t let anybody slow me down.

Career Switch
I used to work in admin, a well-paying job at that, but then boredom started setting in. Admin can be very repetitive. I found myself really needing a creative outlet to balance the unfulfillment I was starting to fill in my professional career, which led me to the industry I am now in.

Before I got into clothing design, I was unsure of my artistic capabilities. I never attended a fashion school. I started sketching clothes I would want to wear myself and thought hey! the results aren’t too bad.
Just like a lot of people, I started doing research on YouTube on how to sew and create a label. You would be amazed at the amount of free and technical information that is available out there.
Slowly, I started learning the basics, eventually moving on to paid specialized courses.
I, finally, decided to start taking things more seriously and advertise myself to people to start honing my skills.
Slowly, I started making a name for myself, opened a website to manage orders and the rest is history.
What is interesting is though is that through my previous career, I gained skills that now allow me to run my business smoothly.

Brand
Soft cotton. Luxurious linen. Nature-friendly breathable fabrics. Elegant yet playful silhouettes. These are at the core of independent fashion label NÜÜBA.

Sustainable resort wear transitions effortlessly from beachwear to occasion wear.

The beating heart of the brand is a strong statement against fast fashion. Our garments are handmade to order or in small batches.
The capsule collections are handmade in Dakar, Senegal in a small sewing department by talented local tailors and seamstresses.
The NÜÜBA woman is refined and well-traveled. She fully embraces her femininity without being fussy. She is global and individual. She is effortlessly stylish. Jet setting from Capetown to Tulum to Marrakesh to Bali, and wherever her wanderlust eventually takes her.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Picnicking at Piedmont Park with friends and family! What more can you ask for?
You can experience nature in an urban setting, and it is free!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents!!! The people who have sacrificed the most for me and who love the most. I wouldn’t be there without them.
I can’t thank them enough for everything they did for me.

Website: www.nuubaboutique.com

Instagram: nuubaboutique

Image Credits
Myself and Professional Shots through (EbeneProd)