Meet Johara Alrasheed of Wamba Shop in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johara Alrasheed.

Johara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My mother often tells this story of how she enrolled me in a children’s ballet class at three years old when we were living in Paris, France. Ballet was not my calling, and I eventually got kicked out of the class altogether for being “chubby” (imagine fat-shaming a three years old) but that isn’t the point. The point is, I spent weeks in that tiny little pink tutu, refusing to take it off. I showered with it on, I slept in it and cried bloody murder if anyone tried to pry it off of my body. That is my first memory of fashion, of how it could make you feel, and how it is completely personal to you.

My store Wamba has been years in the making. I first conceived of the idea after I graduated from college in London in 2011 and found myself back home in Saudi Arabia trying to figure out what to do with my life. While I knew to my core that I wanted to be a writer, fashion had always been a part of who I was and I wanted to make sure it was part of the life I was building. So, I applied to graduate programs to study creative writing and while I waited to hear back, I started to think about what I could do fashion-wise. I come from a family that travels a lot and one of the things we loved most is bringing back things that weren’t available in Saudi and that’s where it began. I created a Facebook group where I would sell clothes from brands that didn’t exist in Saudi, nothing fancy, just brands that I loved like Urban Outfitters, Free People, ASOS. People responded, and the business grew. I only did this for nine months until I got accepted at USC and moved to LA to get my Masters. At that point, Wamba was just a means to an end, I had managed to save enough money to survive the first couple of years in Los Angeles.

While I pursued writing as a career, fashion was still at the back of my mind. When I landed in LA, I started an eBay account for Wamba (still going to this day). I loved clothes so much that I had to implement a rule for myself. One in, one out. This meant that any time I wanted to buy an item of clothing, I would have to sell one I already owned. Soon, I was selling way more than I anticipated and it seemed that people were responding to my style. Because of that, it seemed natural that years later during the pandemic, when I got laid off from my writing job that I would go back to fashion, something that has always been there for me. I created the Wamba Shop Instagram page because I was following small businesses and supporting them and wanted to join that community. It has been such a great outlet and positive place to go when things seem pretty dire. I offer contemporary and vintage clothing for women and hope to expand someday.

When I’m feeling bad, or down, or anxious I still put on a dress to make me feel better. Maybe for you, that’s a great pair of shoes, your grandmother’s bracelet, or a cozy jacket. Whatever it is, I guarantee that it will not make you feel worse. Sometimes, you just need to dress for the day you want to have. For the most part, that’s worked for me.

Has it been a smooth road?
No one tells you how challenging it will be, truly. Wamba is mostly a one-woman show and having to do everything yourself is difficult. I remember being so broke that selling something on eBay was the only way I’d be able to pay my rent or buy gas to go to class, those stakes are so high but I just kept doing it. Honestly, it’s a cliche, but you just have to keep going. Starting anything is daunting and when you have to put your own money into it, not knowing if it’ll succeed or fail is difficult but blind faith is the way I’ve approached it. I never gamble anything I’m not willing to lose and that has helped immensely when I was faced with challenges, whether with my store or otherwise. It’s been hard to build a loyal following on Instagram since there are so many wonderful thrift shops out there that deserve love too but I believe patience prevails. Easy come easy go. I don’t want anything that’s easy because then how can I trust it.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Wamba Shop is a whimsical little thrift shop. I sell women’s clothes from contemporary to vintage with unique design details, whether that means beautiful stitching or a fun print. Sometimes you want to wear something one time for that specific event and then you don’t need it. I believe that buying second hand is a way of sharing and that’s my hope for Wamba. If you don’t need it, pass it along. Whether that’s a Zara trench coat from 2016 or rainbow shorts from the 80s, someone else can use it. As far as I know, I’m the only Saudi in Los Angeles who owns an Instagram thrift shop (if I’m not, please reach out, I’d love to meet you!) and that makes me proud. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to express my love of fashion in this way and I hope that people find a little joy in my pieces.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
LA is the best city to start your own thing. Everyone has a passion and there is no judgment. What people don’t understand about Los Angeles is that most of us here have experienced significant failure and have managed to keep going. That takes strength. I would say, if you’re just starting out, no matter where you are, don’t let the failures define you. No one will remember those but in LA even if you fail, I’m sure all your friends have similar stories so at least you won’t be alone. Just pick up and try again.

Pricing:

• Nothing over $200
• Prices start at $20

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wambashop.com
• Email: wambashop.us@gmail.com
• Instagram: @wamba_shop
• Facebook: wamba_shop

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