STARTING FRESH
Identical twins Idyl and Ayaan Mohallim always shared an interest for fashion. In fact, up to college they shared just about everything. Their college years they spent apart from each other and from fashion. However, after majoring in English and Computer science they realized that their hearts belonged to fashion. By following those hearts in 2003 they twins packed their bags and moved to New York to pursue the dream; a fashion line of their own. They both landed internships in fashion, Idyl at Jill Stuart, Ayaan at Betsey Johnson, followed by jobs in online marketing and clothing companies. In 2008 the time had come to stand on their own four legs. The sisters invested money in creating the first collection of Mataano dresses. The name meaning twins in their mother tongue Somali. The next step was to put together and send out a press kit. Not long after that, they got a call from Oprah. Thursday, October 23, 2008 the Mohallim-sisters were brought on the show and given the opportunity to ask two other co-designing twins, the Olsens, for business advise. Now, five months later, their business is definitely starting to take shape. “Never give up your dream and be ready to really work hard” coined as the recipe to reaching your dreams according to Ayaan. On how to get in to the fashion business without any relevant background she continues “We had a hunger and put our selves in the right surroundings. We’re young, not married with no kids. We have nothing to loose but everything to gain.”
Ayaan and Idyl
SISTERHOOD
There was never a doubt about working together for Idyl and Ayaan. ”Even though we have different personalities we just mesh so well. We have a good balance. When I get all hyper about something, Idyl can calm me down and vice versa.” says Ayaan about there relationship as twins and business partners. Everyone who has a sibling knows that surely it cannot be all good all the time. “Sometimes our opinions go apart, of course. Then we bring in a third party to get the final decision. You have to compromise in life. Especially if you want to be successful” says Ayaan.
Spring ’09
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
As for the Mataano’s premier collection Spring ’09, in stores now, it is all about color and inspiration from the designer twins Somali roots. “African women love color! It’s like the brighter you are, the more you stand out.” Ayaan tells us about the concept of the Spring collection and notes that Fall will be a little different. “We felt with the recession going on we wanted to tone it down a bit. Having colorful spring lines and more sober clothes in fall.”
INSIGHT
Speaking of continuation Mataano’s will evolve from just focusing on dresses to – Spring ’10 – for a wider repertoire with blouses, pants and jackets. Yet, this isn’t the only plan for the ambitious twins. “Within the next five years we want to be in more boutiques and more department stores. By then we are going to be a lifestyle brand, not only making clothes, but shoes and jewelry too. We want to design the Mataano woman not only the Mataano dress.” says Ayaan, and adds that there is more dreams to be fulfilled “We really want to open a flagship store in New York. We would love to have one in the meatpacking district.”
Check out Mataano’s Spring ’09 fashion shoot:
Reported by Hannah Arnhog
