Zainab’s journey into fashion began unexpectedly in 2013, during an English language lecture at university, when she suddenly pictured herself sewing clothes for her mother and her friends. The image stayed with her. That same holiday, she enrolled with a local tailor and began learning the craft, later continuing through practice and self-teaching.

Years later, an MSc in Fashion Marketing Management at Cardiff Metropolitan University expanded her view of fashion beyond the garment, shaping how she thinks about brand building, buying, range planning, visual merchandising and creating a business with global ambition. Today, her design process begins with silhouette and the woman wearing it: how a piece can complement her, celebrate her presence and make her feel like the woman of the moment. Through Sisi Clara, Zainab brings together femininity, heritage and contemporary design to create pieces intended to remain relevant long after the trend has passed.

The name Sisi Clara began as a nickname from Zainab’s father, inspired by a tailor from The Village Headmaster. Over time, it became part of her identity, and now the name of the legacy she is building.