We’re looking forward to introducing you to Fatima Camara. Check out our conversation below.
Fatima, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recently I was selected as participant of the competition Style Icon organized by Elton John, David Furnish and Charlotte Tilbury. It’s an amazing opportunity to propel my career to the next level.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi Voyage ATL! My name is Fatima Camara and I am the founder of 10,000 Threads, a clothing line that merges modern designs with authentic fabrics from Guinea. My brand emerged from combining my travel experiences between Guinea, France and The US. I was born in Queens from two Guinean parents and spent my childhood and teenage years between 3 continents Africa, Europe and America. Fashion has always my armor to get me through this journey and today I am proud to say that I am creating a community around my passion while honouring my different cultures. I am currently working on my new collection Feniks which is inspired by my resilience and ability to always rise throughout the years. The launch is set for December 12th and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful is when I was 16 and had just begun high school. Growing up shy and reserved, I never really had the courage to wear what I wanted until I moved to the United States from France. It was a bit of a culture shock to see kids my age dress freely. This made me realise that I too could adopt and define my own style which I did. Back then I was a big fan of Rihanna and would always get inspirations from her different outfits and hairstyles. My classmate would always compliment me on my outfits even though I could barely reply or say anything in English at the time. It was comforting to feel like I belonged because of my personal style.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me about readjusting and working with what I have until I can have more which aligns perfectly with true entrepreneurship. In my opinion, entrepreneurship is all about grit and grit is taught through life experiences. When I first started my clothing line, I didn’t have any resources so I had to learn everything myself and create something out of nothing. I still remember it like it was yesterday. When I didn’t have clients, I would have my friends model for me. When paying for a photographer or videographer was out of my budget, I would take pictures and videos of my creations myself and edit them. When I couldn’t pay for a make up artist or hairstylist, I would do my model’s hair and make up myself. Suffering helped me acquired new skills which I will always be grateful for.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to making my brand a success story no matter how long it takes. I launched 10,000 Threads in February 2019, we’ve had some ups and downs like any other entrepreneurs however we have built enough momentum to know that success is inevitable. Hard work and resilience always pay off because we are no where near where we were when we first launched the brand. Our growth is slow but steady, in a world of fast fashion and never ending trends , choosing to remain authentic and deeply rooted is part of our value system.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am gone, I hope people remember my brand 10,000 Threads and the stories it carry. I hope they remember my resilience while building this brand and the legacy of African artisans involved in our production. Most importantly, I hope they remember that you can achieve anything you put your mind to with a hard work and dedication.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.10000threads.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/10000threads
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/10000threads
Image Credits
I own the copyright to all images.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
