Illustration: Samantha Hahn
For this special Fashion Week edition of “How I Do It,” we asked successful women how to navigate their careers and lives during this hectic time of year.
Anifa Mvuemba is the founder and designer of Hanifa, the luxury brand “for women without limits”. The brand started just over a decade ago, but caught the attention of many industry insiders after Mvuemba’s groundbreaking 3-D technology show in 2020. However, the Hanifa community was strong long before that, due to women with style who are looking for wardrobe basics in the brand. DC-based Congolese designer Mvuemba has always created on her own terms and by her own rules, and she designs for everyone. Her inclusion is not a symbol for her but a necessity, and from the runway to her campaign images, it shows.
Mvuemba spoke to The Cut a few weeks before New York Fashion Week while preparing his new collection. It wasn’t shown during Fashion Week, but it’s coming in mid-October, in another example of its subverted expectations. He can make his own rules because his community believes in what he does. When we spoke, she had just received a big call, during which it was decided that she would have to “change the whole weather” in her collection by adding more pieces. And this was the chaos that struck before Fashion Week even started. But one thing Mvuemba is becoming more comfortable with is balance, difficult as that is to achieve. Here, she shares how she does it.
What is a typical day like:
I wake up at 6:30 am every day. I check my calendar and make sure everything is on point and then make sure I’m really in a good head space to start my day because that sets the tone for me. I recently got a trainer and work out three days a week. I love those days specifically because it gets me going. On the days I don’t work out, I try to find something that gives me that extra boost.
On doing it without an assistant:
Not having an assistant is hell for me. Every day it gets crazier, but I’m doing it, I’m doing the best I can. I haven’t had an assistant since April. Right now, I love using my Google calendar. I’m usually glued to it for Fashion Week when there are a lot of events that I pick and choose because one can take all your energy. It is balance; you can’t do everything.
By having FOMO:
I get it, especially when it comes to really cool events that I want to attend, but they all happen at the same time. It’s like, This one is on this street, and this one is all the way down the road. Which one am I going to? But it is unavoidable for fashion.
On how she packs for Fashion Week:
It’s much easier to try on all the outfits before you start packing. I came with bags and suitcases of things and then I returned a lot of things that I didn’t wear. So I like to pack my outfits and maybe an extra one or two just in case. I think I’m a little more prepared for New York than I used to be. If I’m like, Damn, I don’t have shoes, I can go to Saks or Bergdorf. I’m a last minute packer, so I usually run to the store real quick, but I usually have to pack ahead now.
On traveling for work:
I try to do everything possible before I leave. Right before we launch a collection, I focus a lot on the samples because they are the most important thing. We can’t have a show or a photo shoot or anything until the samples are perfect. This is the season the team is entering now. I use the time of Fashion Week to get some work done during the day, but I also like to have fun. I really look forward to those trips just because my team knows I’m out of town and don’t use my phone much so I’ll stay late if I have to. They know that when I’m in New York it’s work, but it’s also me having a little fun. We don’t have any parties or events in DC, so Fashion Week is a fun part of the job.
On what makes a successful Fashion Week:
Connecting with people, meeting people and building relationships since I’ve been in DC Many times, I put a face to a name or a collaboration. I am wishing it. And also the shows, being there and present and seeing what everyone is putting out.
On where he likes to shop while in town:
I like Dover Street Market and Bergdorf; They always have a great selection. I like to explore who the retailers have on their floors. The last time I went to Bergdorf, I saw Sergio Hudson and Aliétte on the top floor; that was really nice to see, and it showed very well. I like to roam the floors just to see.
On the lessons of his life coach:
“You need one day a week to rest.” She tells all of her executives that and adds that her team has to respect it. Wednesdays are my days. I don’t take calls or meetings, and I can do whatever I want, whether I just want to rest or catch up on reading. Sometimes I go out with a friend, fix myself a drink, watch a movie or just sleep. I started implementing it about two months ago and I feel a big difference.
Source: news.google.com