Alefiya Bhinderwala

In 1999, Alefiya Bhinderwala embarked on a journey from India to the United States of America. Alefiya faced numerous obstacles as she opened a new chapter of her life. However, one particular challenge deeply affected her - the lack of availability of traditional clothing in her environment.

In 2003 Alefiya’s priest arrived and she explored various stores in search of her religious attire but felt disheartened by the limited options and the prevailing lack of awareness and understanding of her cultural beliefs and traditions.

Alefiya wears a hijab, a symbolic head covering worn by Muslim women, representing her identity and traditional values. However, she noticed a void in the world around her, where opportunities to obtain this symbolic piece were rare. This realization fueled her determination to start her tailoring journey: to empower women by ensuring they had the chance to embrace this aspect of their cultural roots. Her motivation stemmed not from financial gain but from the desire to preserve her tradition, even in a foreign land. This journey began approximately ten years ago, marking the start of a significant change.

Alefiya’s exceptional abilities trace back to her hometown, Rajasthan, India, where she cultivated her talents under the guidance of her mother. As a young girl, she actively assisted her mother in various projects walking in her footsteps and learning valuable skills. Engaging in small projects together, Alefiya discovered her love for fabric and gradually developed a passion for it. Witnessing her mother’s dedication, despite the demands of managing a household and raising a family, motivated Alefiya. She recognized the significance of pursuing one’s passion and was inspired by her mother’s determination to carve out time for her creative fulfillment.

Like her mother, Alefiya had many responsibilities and limited time to dedicate to her business. During those hours, she would contribute most of her time to making burkas, hijabs, and religious clothing. As her business grew, she adopted different approaches to her work, such as designing Western clothing. In this process, Alefiya had two goals in mind. One to help Muslim women feel special in their traditional attire and the other to gain appreciation. It’s great to say she has accomplished both.

Alefiya states that she had a smooth process and received many positive responses from the people around her. She received many positive responses from the people around her. She believes there have been significant improvements in accepting women into her field of work. However, there is still a long way to go. She speaks highly of her customers who have motivated and supported her business throughout the years.

When asked what advice she would give other women aspiring to start small businesses, Alefiya said, “Follow your passion. It doesn’t matter how small you start with; if you know your path, all you need is dedication and hard work. Keep going”.