Today we’d like to introduce you to Safiya Jihan Miller.
Safiya Jihan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started at John F Kennedy airport in 1978, with a pair of high waisted When Doves Cry ivory trousers, a Caliente fire blouse, voluminous hair, Lady in Red nails, platform heels, sun-kissed skin and an unparalleled zest for life. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I’m talking about my Jamaican queen and mother, Joan Miller, during her senior year of college living life boldly and colorfully.
She’s the muse, along with my father, Winston behind my colorful resort line, SAFIYA JIHAN ™. My Dad actually chose my first name, Safiya, which means clear-minded, wise and pure (lots to live up to, lol!); and my Mom chose my middle name Jihan, which was the name of President Sadat’s wife, a complete #bossbabe, and means the world (you see, being a wanderlust was in my soul).
My Caribbean heritage, my creative partner in crime Daren Miller, and my happy place (beach please!) all served as inspiration for my first size-inclusive line. From my Grandmother to my Aunts, I come from a rich heritage of style aficionado; And as a Jamaican American and quasi-brasilera it was only fitting that my first collection center around vibrant resort wear. They say fashion repeats itself and as a tall stylist with curves that believes in highlighting the best assets of a woman’s body, my first collection had to revive my Mother’s high waisted trouser. The second signature item is a jumpsuit, because who doesn’t love a sexy, bold one piece!?
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road hasn’t been smooth. My journey in the fashion industry as a black woman was ignited because I stood on the shoulders of giants in my community. Nigel Jones and Rachel Konte, gurus from the industry in the Bay Area believed in me because of my hunger and digital marketing expertise and decided to share their knowledge with me. This was an incredible gift because the fashion industry is a secretive business. If you don’t know insiders or if you haven’t had traditional training, it is challenging to enter this space. As a self-taught fashion designer and business owner of color, I know that one way to change this barrier to entry is to have more BIPOC representation at all levels, from pattern making throughout the supply chain to the buyers and distributors of retail. Representation is important to me because our voices matter, our stories matter and our creativity should be highlighted. I would not be where I am today as a budding designer without the help of the BIPOC veterans that decided to take me under their wings.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Safiya Jihan is a trilingual untamed multi-hyphenate, blazing her own creative path in technology, fashion, entrepreneurship and philanthropy, to empower others. By “day” she’s a digital transformation leader at Microsoft and by “night” she’s an entrepreneur. Safiya founded the vibrant, size-inclusive womenswear line, Safiya Jihan, influenced by her mother and Caribbean roots. This June she started another female-led venture as co-founder of Miller, Harper, Williams with the launch of “Tech, Now What” on Instagram which helps early and mid-stage tech professionals feel emotionally, socially, and professionally empowered in Silicon Valley. Safiya’s been featured in PopSugar, the Grio, and the Daily Beast and partnered with Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, The W Hotel, and Bumble.
What we are more proud of as a company is the opportunity to inspire and empower women to live life boldly and colorfully. We do this by investing back into our community throughout our supply chain and as we build out our team, from our SF based manufacturer to our social media manager.
What were you like growing up?
I was always known as a “busy bee” growing up. Optimistic, relentless, outgoing and definitely the life of the party.
I’ve always loved experimenting with fashion, even though we didn’t grow up with money. This has helped me develop an incredible skill of mixing high and accessible fashion with ease.
Contact Info:
- Website: safiyajihan.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safiyajihan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsafiyajihan/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/safiyajihan
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/safiyajihan/
Image Credit:
Andrew Perry, Ashleigh Reddy
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
