Startup Story

The fashion sector is one of the most important sectors from a job creation and economic contribution perspective, and for Kulukaya Sadiki, founder of Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio in Malawi, sustainable fashion is key. Her business approach is to incorporate fabric recycling and reuse into the production process to create timeless fashion pieces with minimal environmental impact.

LoA chatted to the impact driven Kulukaya Sadiki to find out more.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Kulukaya Sadiki and I am a Sustainable Fashion Designer, Humanitarian and a Marketing Strategist by profession. I was selected as a Young African Leader for the ‘Leadership in Business’ cohort for my business skills by the Mandela Washington Fellowship, a USA program in 2020. I started my sustainable fashion business in 2017 after realizing that it is possible to make a difference within the community and environment using an important aspect of humanity which is clothing. My clothing brand focuses on recycled and rejected fabric to create timeless trends thereby delaying disposal and minimizing fabric pollution. I work in the market with women fabric suppliers, inspiring them and empowering them with business knowledge. I am also the Founder and Chairperson of a registered non-profit organization called ‘Ladies of Influence’ which focuses on sustainable development in Malawi through humanitarian effort with the main focus being the girl child.

What does your company do?

We are a fashion brand that is not only focused on financial performance but also making a positive impact in society by using an important aspect of human existence which is clothes. This is done by reducing wastage in our production, working with marginalized groups and using the three pillars of sustainability being social equity, economic viability and environmental protection in our supply chain. We approach customers and sometimes customers approach us and we discuss the outfits or sometimes they simply tell us the event. We advise on the design and sustainable fabric to be used, source the fabric and make sure the outfit is made to the client’s satisfaction. We use high quality and timeless trends to ensure a longer lifecycle of the items. Our product line includes:

Green and clean customized designs - for every phase of the clothing item we use the sustainable value chain.

Repair, redesign and upcycle - we turn old clothes into new designs

Rent, lease and swap - we have clothes on display for clients who wish to rent, lease or swap. We plan to have events of the same in future to encourage increasing clothing items life cycle.
Second hand vintage - we buy, redesign and use second hand clothes for ourselves and our families and encourage others to do the same.

What inspired you to start your company?

I know it is ironic but the moment my daughter was born, something was ignited inside of me and I knew I was created for more. I decided right then and there that I would make a difference in everything I do and I decided to pursue only business for purpose. As stated by the Wikipedia, the fashion industry is one of the major water, air and soil polluting industries of the world and the environmental damages increase as the industry grows. Small businesses are the least supported globally and the women entrepreneurs that sell recycled fabric are not recognized and are easily exploited. Fast fashion promotes discarding usable left over, recycled and rejected fabric and almost new clothes which pollutes the earth and it encourages rapid clothes making. This consumes natural resources at production and contributes to taking from nature. The problems associated with the fashion industry and my passion for women empowerment inspired me to open my sustainable studio and to dedicate my life doing humanitarian work.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

We are a fashion brand that is not only focused on financial performance but also making a positive impact in society by using an important aspect of human existence which is clothes. This is done by reducing wastage in our production, working with marginalized groups and using the three pillars of sustainability in all our supply chain. Our Values are transparency, authenticity, women empowerment, environmental protection, Inclusive employment and attention to detail.

Tell us a little about your team

I have 3 tailors. One is the head tailor mainly focused on smart office wear and this one is good with particular fabrics that require using the iron a lot (chuckles); the other one is mainly focused on bridal items and brags that he destroys items in the most beautiful ways (he is very creative and makes things you wouldn’t believe!). The third tailor is mainly focused on gentlemen suits only. I work with amazing tailors and I would not be in business if not for them, I am grateful.

I have worked with the first two tailors for over six years and the suit tailor for four years. It was not easy to explain my business model to my workforce and get them to understand but eventually they realized that I was asking them to start a unique journey of tailoring and designing and now they are all on board. Working with the same team for so long assures me that my leadership skills are getting better by the day.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

My late father was an entrepreneur who had a studio with over 20 employees and he instilled a spirit of determination and resilience in each one of us. He encouraged us and told us to go out and become whoever we wanted to be. In 2011 I joined my sister in her IT venture which was the best decision of my life. To be honest, subconsciously I knew that she was the best person to mentor and prepare me for the business world and more. She taught me how as women we must work twice as hard to claim our place in the business world. Through her entrepreneurial venture I learnt how to work for every penny I get, she taught me lessons I could not learn any other way or from anyone else. I started my business while I was working with her. Growing up in the environment I did, my entrepreneurial journey was inevitable.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

I would like to open workshops in Malawi and around the world where we can design and tailor customized outfits and make ready-made outfits for retail supply, buy and sell sustainable fabric in bulk, conduct sustainable business development trainings for women and the youth.

To find and penetrate international markets thereby reducing fast fashion.

Involve the women market as suppliers for the workshops and help them to get recognition for their part in the sustainable chain.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Knowing that I am making a difference in the work I do and making a living doing what I love which is dressing people up in beautiful outfits gives me the most satisfaction. The smile on a clients face when they pick up an item is priceless!

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

I know that life feels like an uphill when you look at the distance between where you are and where you want to be. I know there are voices pulling you from every side, some are encouraging and others are distracting. Invest time in knowing who you really are, so your NO will be firm and your YES will be particular. Choose your circle carefully because this is one important aspect of self-development, move with the driven and ambitious. At the point you are now, I have been there before and I am still there in some parts of my life but child, God did not create us on earth for mediocrity. You are special and the world needs you to use every gift you have to make it a better place. Fear is nothing but a feeling, it gets smaller with each step you take to climb up to your dreams. You are different because God chose you, you are special just the way you are. Rise up and act on your dreams, don’t let the world drown your voice but speak up where you need to and be the one who raises a generation of fearless, driven, ambitious and action oriented young people!

Find out more Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio

FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL kulukayas@gmail.com

Why LoA loves it….

Women entrepreneurs who are dedicated to building not just successful businesses, but also ones that create opportunities for others and tread lightly on the earth at the same time, are much needed in the world now. Kulukaya Sadiki is one of those passionate women entrepreneurs who knows the power of business to make positive change happen, and her business is doing just that. She is providing a great example to others that the fashion industry can change and become more sustainable in its manufacturing processes, whilst at the same time, creating jobs. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa