Alami Haruna

"I am a fashion designer in Accra. You could describe me as creative, a music and dance lover, and easygoing. I started sewing when I was 15 by making dresses for dolls and helping my uncle with stitching. After my junior secondary education, my passion for designing grew deeper, and I told my parents I wanted to pursue this career. I enrolled for a year at a fashion school and afterward I did a bit of an apprenticeship with some fashion designers. Although I wasn't paid, I worked with energy and love. <br><br> "Then I joined my uncle in his shop and began sewing for customers for free. When I started earning a little money, I used it to purchase a sewing machine and other sewing tools and supplies. I have been sewing professionally since 2008 and I still work from my uncle's shop. When I started, people would tell me that sewing is for school dropouts, so I should pursue something else. But I'm proud I went ahead with my passion and am making it now. <br><br> "My focus and determination and my faith in God are what brought me this far. I also found it helpful not to listen to discouragement from others and mastered my craft by continuous practice. <br><br> "What attracts me to fashion is the sight of people wearing my designs and the compliments I receive. I also enjoy choosing fabrics and combining them. <br><br> "So far, I have taught four people to sew, and foreign university students come to learn from me. My inspiration is greatly derived from God and nature. <br><br> "I visit great stylists and fashion designers for help whenever I find it difficult to come up with a style, and I help others also when they need me. My plans for the future are to grow my project into an international fashion house where people can learn this art. I also want to help the less fortunate. <br><br> "I really love combining colors to achieve a unique design. I pay attention to details and have the energy and passion to achieve the best results, even if it means staying up all night."