Hi,

I’m Ani; I’m a designer, a mother, a mentor, a lover of art, and an advocate for change.

Over the course of my 20+ year career in fashion, I’ve been on countless adventures - from working as a designer, a creative leader, and a startup founder to finding my place living and working in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles before making my way back to the Bay Area. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world, seeking inspiration and working with some of the most skilled makers in the industry.

The latter part of my career was spent managing creative teams in the design and development of collections for mass retail. Despite my achievements, my creative soul yearned for something more. I feel most connected to my craft when I am creating pieces that are rooted in deep meaning and purpose, and as time went on I realized that I had to find a way to align my work with what truly inspires me. Although I didn’t know how or when, I believed that eventually, the path to living my truth would become clear.

In 2021 I made the decision to align my career with my values and where I see my purpose in the fashion landscape. Alongside my daughters, Maryam and Fatimah, I set out to create a body of work that celebrates and respects the cultures, traditions, and the beauty of a global community of artists, including my own family, who are responsible for making the clothing worn by the majority of the world. We wanted to create a brand that would be a catalyst for social change. Within the same year, we launched Mari & Fatou. This has been a dream of mine since I was a child and I am fortunate enough to bring this vision to life with my daughters and an all-female executive team that believes in the power of community and doing what’s right in the world.

I am more inspired than ever to utilize my expertise to help people and organizations bring sustainable, purpose-driven ideas to fruition. I truly believe that if we give to ourselves, our planet, and each other, we can create a world where everyone can thrive doing what they love. 

If this resonates with you and you have a project that aligns with my expertise, whether fashion-related or adjacent,  I’d love to connect!