We recently connected with Ani Martirossian and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ani, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
In 2003 I converted to Islam and observed the outward dress and spiritual practices that came along with that. In 2006 I entered Old Nave as a Senior Designer and proceeded to excel and was eventually promoted to VP of Design. The road from Senior to VP was filled with many opportunities to present my team’s designs and the creative vision I set forth to the board, to executive leadership, and to the merchants who would buy the line each season. I was the only person in the company who wore the hijab. While intimidating in the beginning, my commitment to my job and my faith were unwavering. I used self-affirmations to get over any fears I had and I also believed (and still do) that if one stands for the values they believe in confidently and openly, people will respect that even if they don’t necessarily agree with it. I went on to maintain the VP position for 7 years before resigning and building my own brand, Mari & Faotu.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
The skills for time-honored craft and a passion for design lie deep within Ani’s DNA. Her grandmother taught her the handwork to create a Bebilla, a traditional Armenian needle lace, at just age five. She began learning draping and patternmaking from her mother and aunts when she was seven.
For the past 20 years, Ani has transformed her heritage into a thriving career in the fashion industry as a designer and creative leader. She has worked closely with skilled artisans, tailors, textile artists, and developers worldwide, making many lasting friendships with her supply chain partners in the process.
She frequently traveled to India to work hands-on with makers throughout her career, and this gave her a profound respect for the intricate craftsmanship in the garment production process. On one of her early trips to a factory in India, she learned that one of the artisans, an 80-year-old man embroidering a jacket by hand (and foot), was the only surviving member of his community—and that the technique would be lost forever once he was gone.
His powerful story ignited Ani’s desire to collaborate more directly with the network of supply chain partners she had met over the years. In 2021, she established Mari and Fatou alongside her children Maryam and Fatimah as her way of passing down the craft of her maternal lineage and continuing the tradition of generations of women before her. The brand’s commitment to close-knit, small-batch production has created bonds with her production partners that extend beyond the factory—they’re part of the Mari and Fatou family.
Through this hands-on approach to creating beautiful, authentic products that last a lifetime, Ani is committed to building an ethical brand rooted in sustainable practices and, in turn, building community to bring about lasting change in the industry.
Mari & Fatou is Ani’s way of coming full circle, melding her family’s multi-generational traditions with her playful yet sophisticated design aesthetic.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I started my journey in fashion at a very young age. All the women in my maternal lineage were tailors, designers, weavers, and textile artists. This gave me a strong foundation and knowledge of the art of garment making and design. I learned what kind of commitment and work ethic it takes to be deep into my craft from my mother, my aunts, and my grandmother who were all incredible tailors. I’d say that was my #1 most impactful lesson.
Working in the industry for 20+ years has also taught me how to build a well-rounded collection from a color, print, and silhouette perspective. This is how I honed in on my aesthetic.
Being patient and putting in the time to work from the bottom to the top taught me about the business side of things and allowed me to travel and work hands-on with global makers and truly understand the intricacy of what goes on in a larger-scale business focused on product making. Making connections and growing in my understanding for the totality of what it takes to create a successful brand before taking that leap was critical.
Advice:
1. Learn within the industry you intend to launch a business in. Take all the jobs you can to learn from those more senior than you, to make connections, and to understand what it takes to truly run a successful business.
2. Always be honest with yourself about the work you’re putting out into the world. Is it needed? Is it up to par? Would YOU want to buy it?
3.Keep up with industry news and trends.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Support me in the decision to study fashion design and go after my dreams vs just focusing on practicality. They understood that if I follow my passion success will come.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariandfatou.com
- Instagram: mariandfatou
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariandfatou
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ani-martirossian-578a6bb4/
Image Credits
Natasha Wilson, photographer Antar Hanif, photographer
