Since the inception of her iconic clothing brand Hanifa in 2011, Anifa Mvuemba has consistently proven herself to be a designer who thrives on innovation and uniqueness. From chunky knits to vibrant colors and oversized silhouettes, Hanifa is synonymous with statement pieces that seamlessly blend style and wearability. Anifa’s latest venture into the bridal fashion world, unveiled at the end of Fall Bridal Fashion Week, promises to revolutionize the bridal industry.
Hanifa Bridal Takes Center Stage:
On a picturesque Sunday, October 15th, Anifa Mvuemba hosted an exclusive first look at Hanifa Bridal at the Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia. The setting, adorned with romantic floral arrangements and serenaded by a string quartet playing worship music instrumentals, exuded an aura of sanctity, akin to a real wedding. Choosing the Salamander Resort & Spa, a renowned luxury wedding venue in the DMV, was a deliberate decision, underscoring the significance of this milestone in Hanifa’s journey. Love, both earthly and divine, served as the heart of this style narrative.
“I never shy away from talking about the fact that I’m a believer—Christ is the anchor in everything I do,” Anifa Mvuemba candidly expressed during a pre-show press conference, intertwining her spiritual journey with the evolution of the Hanifa brand. “Even that journey, it’s not like a straight path; you have moments where you fall from grace, and you go through all these different seasons. That aligns with [my path into] bridal. I’ve been talking about bridal since I started Hanifa, and we officially started designing and creating pieces three years ago. We met roadblocks the same way you do when you’re a believer. You go through that journey, and the end goal is to be with Christ.”
“So much passion went into this—into the garments and into this whole experience—and it just speaks to the devotion, to the grace,” she continued. “You’re going to see the grace [on the runway] in how everything moves. It’s a beautiful story altogether.”
Anifa Mvuemba’s Inspirational Journey
Building upon this profound inspiration for the bridal collection was a natural progression for Mvuemba, whose early career included crafting custom wedding dresses for her clients. Through this experience, she recognized the homogeneity of the bridal industry, with limited options that truly celebrated individual beauty. Historically, the bridal space has been far from inclusive, and Hanifa Bridal is poised to change this for the better.
The initial glimpse of the collection fulfills these intentions. With options for wedding ceremonies,receptions, bachelorette parties, and wedding nights, Hanifa Bridal’s debut is nothing short of a bridal fantasy. The runway displayed bold designs, characterized by an abundance of feathers, illusion mesh that matched various skin tones, and cheeky lingerie. It also retained the more traditional bridal styles, elevating them with alluring cuts and intricate beading. The diverse array of models chosen to represent a broad spectrum of body types perfectly mirrored Hanifa’s aim to cater to an extensive clientele. These brides glided down the runway, exuding an air of serenity, each adorned in a couture look that accentuated their unique beauty. The audience was filled with appreciative murmurs and awestruck expressions. The closing piece, a stunning ivory asymmetrical tiered ball gown fit for a princess, evoked collective gasps of delight so dramatic that laughter followed. Mvuemba and Hanifa had truly outdone themselves.
When questioned about her concerns regarding the reception of Hanifa Bridal within the fashion industry, especially by the established names in bridal fashion, Mvuemba was unfazed. “I don’t care,” she declared honestly. “But because this is the beginning, I am curious about how it’s received, and what happens after. That’s what I’m really looking forward to, because this is a first for me.”
Hanifa Bridal’s Commitment to Every Bride:
Her primary focus remains on the brides and women who, like myself, may not be engaged yet but already have Hanifa Bridal on their “For When He Pops The Question” vision boards. The public’s initial response to the announcement of Hanifa’s expansion into the bridal realm was overwhelmingly positive, and Mvuemba is overjoyed to witness the enthusiasm surrounding her brand’s foray into bridal fashion. Her lifelong aspiration has been to create beautiful fashion for everyone, and Hanifa Bridal is the next step in realizing that mission.
“When you see those beautiful [bridal] shows, it’s hard to kind of see yourself in those pieces because it’s almost like you don’t have access to it,” Mvuemba explained during the press conference, reflecting on her own 2022 engagement. “We have a lot of brides coming to [the show] today—when they see these gowns coming down the runway, I want them to see themselves and know that this will be accessible to them. Eventually, I want to offer custom, one-of-a-kind pieces, but we’re going to do ready-to-wear and then do customizable options that can be tailored to your body. My big thing is giving people access.”
Mvuemba aspires to expand Hanifa Bridal on a larger scale, allowing customers to try on her designs in boutiques across the country. For now, she is content with the approach that has served her brand well. The strength of Hanifa’s brand and the love her loyal customer base has for her creations instill confidence in her. If Hanifa is selling it, people are buying it, bridal wear included, even if it means getting the dress before the ring.
Hanifa Bridal will be officially launched on Friday, October 27th at Hanifa.co, marking a significant milestone in the fashion world’s ongoing evolution. In a time where inclusivity and innovation are celebrated, Anifa Mvuemba’s foray into bridal fashion is a breath of fresh air, offering an array of breathtaking designs for brides-to-be and those who appreciate the beauty of Hanifa Bridal, whether engaged or not.
