Leila Abdullahi Ali
My name is Leila Ali Abdullahi. I was born in 1983 in Somalia. I live in Bosasso in Puntland state of somalia, with the rest of my family. I graduated from Coventry University on 10th of November 2010 from BA (HONS) Fashion and Design. Before I moved back to Somalia I lived in England , Birmingham for almost 10 years and Sweden for 14 years. At the moment I work for a local NGO in Bosasso as a protection officer and caseworker and Im also working on starting my own clothing manufacture in bosaaso insha allah.
For a long time, fashion and design has fascinated me. This is because
of the beauty of colours, patterns and shapes it encompasses. I decided to
pursue my passion further when in 2004 I started a part time Dress-making
course at City College, Birmingham. The course mostly involved sewing and
designing items of clothing. I chose to design an outfit, which when
completed, I felt very satisfied with. Not only that, I had developed a
hunger to develop further ideas and felt like this is what I really should
do with my life. Working on these projects became all consuming and gave me
a great sense of happiness and achievement. I found my "dream course" so
without looking further I enrolled at Matthew Bolton College on a fashion
and clothing Btec ND course.
I love studying and working with fashion and design. I have a great understanding of the
subject. I feel like a person who has the potential to succeed in this
field. As a Muslim, I don’t wear clothing’s that are revealing my body. And I am tired of not finding beautiful clothes that are in line with the Islamic laws, I have always had strong desire to look a certain way and dress a certain way as well as stand out. Who said you can’t be Muslim and fashionable at the same time. I have family who work within the fashion business, in particular my aunt who designs casual wear for Muslims. Her designs are exported to the
whole world and she is an inspiration to me.
I enjoy travel. I have been lucky to see many countries in my lifetime so
far and have seen many different perspectives of fashion in diverse cultures
all across the globe. Before I moved to England I lived in Sweden. In Sweden
I studied on an AVC business course and my course for 3 years. This involved
a lot of subjects which included business and IT. My goals are to archive and
accomplish my own business in the fashion market. In the AVC course I have
studied various subjects that link business and fashion and I have also done some
business studies while doing my fashion course in university.
As I have lived and studied abroad, I have had the privilege of being fluent
in two other languages namely Swedish and Somali.
My logo
My fashion name is unique to me becouse my parents nick named me LEILA XIIS when i was born, which means to miss or look forward to seeing somthing. i choose it because my close friends and family always tell me that they cannot wait to see my creations. And that itself keeps me going and going.
Leila Xiis (poem)
Hey people, freeze
Here comes Leila Hiis
Growing up as the Somali girl
with hopes, dreams and goal
She is everything others should have been
She the girl with looks and style, keeping her deen
Behind her beautiful smile
there is dignity and pride
Hey people, check this please
Standing tall and proud, Leila Hiis
Trained by her papa
loved by her mama
She could never sit alone on the bench
Cos she is always surrounded by her friends
By God, she the latest fashion star
She has the most beautiful heart
Hey people, this ain't a speech
I'm talking about Leila HiiS
With such hard work and dedication
She deserves the best from her destination
Surely, she is such a genuine inspiration
Through the sea, valleys and hills
that girl is worth million dollar bill
Hey people, you gotta believe
There is only one Leila Hiis
BY. Zamzam Zee Ali Abshir
Leila Xiis (poem)
Hey people, freeze
Here comes Leila Hiis
Growing up as the Somali girl
with hopes, dreams and goal
She is everything others should have been
She the girl with looks and style, keeping her deen
Behind her beautiful smile
there is dignity and pride
Hey people, check this please
Standing tall and proud, Leila Hiis
Trained by her papa
loved by her mama
She could never sit alone on the bench
Cos she is always surrounded by her friends
By God, she the latest fashion star
She has the most beautiful heart
Hey people, this ain't a speech
I'm talking about Leila HiiS
With such hard work and dedication
She deserves the best from her destination
Surely, she is such a genuine inspiration
Through the sea, valleys and hills
that girl is worth million dollar bill
Hey people, you gotta believe
There is only one Leila Hiis
BY. Zamzam Zee Ali Abshir