Aline Amike brings an interesting approach to style, moving from Rwanda’s traditional fashion culture. Amike says that the world of modern fashion is changing quickly, and her style of clothes design differs from the outdated cultural standards that are common in Rwanda and all over Africa. Amike questions the customs of the past, which required women to wear clothing that covered every inch of their body. She believes that by rejecting traditional norms, that are wrong, her innovative design philosophy gives women the opportunity to adopt more in the modern way and self-expressive clothing.
Emphasizing how her creations have the power to change, especially in rewriting outdated ideas about women’s clothing, Amike highlights that in the past, women were expected to wear full-length clothes or deal with societal questioning. It was also considered insulting to one’s parents to wear clothes like summer clothing or shirt dresses. Aline Amike believes that a shift in mindset is necessary and that such ancient thinking is no longer appropriate in modern society. It is time to let go of these outdated ideas and embrace a way of thinking in which people value style and fashion irrespective of societal norms or cultural expectations.
Amike believes that age is meaningless when it comes to fashion. According to her, styling is a way to appear good and feel good about oneself in one’s skin. Aline Amike inspires people to appreciate the dynamic world of fashion and to free themselves from the restrictions of outdated cultural beliefs.
Not only has Aline Amike made a name for herself in the fashion business, but she has also confronted challenges associated with being a woman in a sector historically dominated by men. As the founder of AMIKE, a company prioritizing quality over quantity, Aline shares her obstacles and achievements in an industry that often undervalues women.
Underestimation and Funding Challenges
Aline talks about the obstacles she encountered, identifying underestimation and the difficulty in getting financing as the main problems,
“Being underestimated and getting access to funding were a significant challenge I encountered in this journey.”
Being a female entrepreneur requires bravery in a field where misconceptions continue. Aline highlights that overcoming such misconceptions is an ongoing battle but one that she faces bravely.
Negative Feedback and Confidence
Negative feedback is an unavoidable aspect of entrepreneurship, and Aline has encountered her fair share. The question, “Are you sure you can handle everything you are doing?” reflects the skepticism she faces. Initially affecting her confidence, Aline acknowledges that she has learned to navigate and rise above such comments. In her own reflection,
“It did affect me in the past but now I’m less disappointed because I understand better the social constructs, which makes me expect less.”
The capacity she has to manage expectations and maintain focus on her objectives has greatly benefited from her understanding of the impact of social constructions.
Collaboration and Support
Despite challenges, Aline has found pleasure in working with other designers. for instance, Shema Gaetan, was fundamental in the launch of AMIKE, he played a big role by creating the distinctive style of the company. In her discussion on the value of forging connections with like-minded people in the sector, Aline emphasizes the power of teamwork in overcoming challenges. In her own words,
” I worked with Shema Gaetan to create the ambiance of the space for the launch of AMIKE.”
Using Sustainability as a Key Motivator
Aline has a strong dedication to sustainability, which is evident in the philosophy of her company. She discusses her decision to create a small number of items in the interview, which is a conscious attempt to avoid the wastefulness that comes with rapid fashion. She emphasizes a slower and more methodical approach to fashion creation, offering insights into her process of creating timeless designs. When she says this,
“I’m making a small quantity of pieces, using a slower and elevating the quality of the pieces to reduce the wastefulness that comes with fast fashion.”
Aline’s story reflects the commitment and creativity of women in business. Her experiences, which include everything from fighting devaluation to redefining success by her factors, provide clarity into the game-changing potential of sustainability and teamwork for ambitious business owners.
