Top Five Fridays: Anifa Mvuemba

Happy Friday, Style Mavens! I hope you all have been enjoying our last days of summer. I could not let this summer go by without acknowledging a special kind of takeover! Maryland native and Congolese creative Anifa Mvuemba, owner of Hanifa Official, has been a true inspiration and innovator for presenting pieces amidst a pandemic. I was a bit familiar with the brand, prior to the pandemic, from seeing some of my favorite fashionistas rock her creations. It was not until the beautiful virtual runway show that made me go, “Hold on, she might be on to something!”
The 20-something-year-old, Anifa already had an eye for fashion and style, attending Morgan State University’s fashion program. She launched Hanifa Official in 2012 after designing a dress for herself that gained great feedback, and eventually gained enough traction for the birth of Hanifa Official. Often reciprocated, but never duplicated, Hanifa introduced the first successful 3-D virtual runway show for her line, Pink Label Congo. It was absolutely stunning! Anifa has stated in previous interviews how heavy her value on inclusivity, and catering to the body of black women are. The show included the silhouette of one model, with a beautiful naturally curvaceous body, STRUTTING, okay? It was jaw-dropping because the clothes were fit perfectly. Now, let’s dive into this week’s Top Five Fridays.





That’s all for today, Style Mavens! Anifa is a great example of what representation can do and how important it is to stay true to who you are while keeping your mind grounded in your passion. This woman has created a clothing line catered to many shades, many shapes, and many tastes all within one community in itself. That’s black girl magic for real! I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. Black women are continuously raising the bar and setting the tone for the fashion industry. Don’t forget to follow Hanifa on Instagram @hanifaofficial for inspiration and different ways to style her bold and vibrant pieces. Also, follow the Row A Seat 1 IG page @rowaseat1 for daily mood boards and style tips. Ciao, Bellas!