Meet Special Guest Designer: Selam Tekie of Habesha's by Selam

Over the last couple of years we have enjoyed watching this incredible designer grow as she continues to accomplish great levels of success. With each new collection that she produces, we are left in great astonishment of her stunning designs and consistency of breaking her own records each time! 

We are beyond excited that she will be showcasing her latest collection on our runway at the Her Big Day Cultural Wedding Show! Here's a fun interview with the designer where she shares her love for design and how she got started!

Her Big Day: Where are you from and where is your business located?

Selam Tekie: I am from Eritrea, born and raised in Eritrea, currently living in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. That is where my fashion business is located.

HBD: When did you realize you had an interest for fashion design and how did you get started?

ST: Although I started to pursue it later in life, as I was engaged in a different profession, I’ve always had an interest from a young age. When I moved to Addis Abeba from, Abu Dhabi, UAE to start a new life, I got the chance to start my own business and decided to do fashion. And it has been going well so far.

HBD: Your entire collection has such an elegant presence and look! Where do you get your design inspiration from?

ST: Actually, when I moved to Abu Dhabi from Eritrea, the very first job I had was as a sales woman in a fashion store known as Berishka. I used to love all the collections and designs in that store, and they have inspired me to try it in my fashion business.

HBD: Do you have any role models in the fashion industry? Who are they and why?

ST: Ethiopian designer Amsale, because she is one of the top, celebrity wedding gown designers.

HBD: You also have a boutique in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Do you carry only traditional Habesha dresses or are you including the western white wedding gown as well? Will your customers find ready to wear dresses in your store or is everything you provide custom made for each client?

ST: I have two stores- one for traditional Habesha dresses, and one for western white wedding gowns. So my clients have options in selecting different styles of dresses from these two stores. I usually prefer to make custom dresses to fit, but at the same time I usually keep some ready-made dresses in stock for clients who have immediate needs.

HBD: What do you love most about creating the traditional Habesha dress?

ST: I love everything, and it’s a beautiful culture! The most important and main thing to love about the dresses is that it’s something you wear occasionally, like during holidays, weddings or some cultural events. So, because of that, the person wearing it is always perceived as celebrating a special event. They are all in smiles and in their finest touches of beauty, with the likes of traditional hair braids, jewelry, etc.

HBD: What is your most cherished dress from your collections and why?

ST: I love all of my designs and don't have a particular favorite. All of my designs are special to me.

HBD: You will be featuring your newest collection on the runway of our 2017 Wedding Show in Seattle, Washington. What new trends or styles can we expect to see from this collection?

ST: This is a golden opportunity, a dream come true, to present myself with my collections, and I am ready to hit the runway with new styles that the attendees can easily fall in love with. I am confident in showcasing my finest works and collection.

HBD: For future brides who will be at our wedding show and ready to meet you, what advice would you give them in working with you? In other words, what is the best way to put in an order for a custom dress or pre-existing design during our wedding show?

ST: I always prefer to take orders ahead of time so it gives us plenty of time; I don’t like creating a special dress in a rush. During the show, future brides, as well as others, can put in orders on the spot! For those who are looking to order a dress during a different time, I am always available to guide them in selecting their dresses and ordering it online with me.

Also, during the show, I may have a few ready-made dresses for sale for those who are interested in buying them on the spot.

HBD: Where do you see Habesha’s By Selam in the next 5 years?

ST: Well, I believe I have started it with great passion and desire, and I want to continue in that manner- as the sky will be my limit.

Be sure to come and say hello to Selam on January 29, 2017! P.S. You won't want to miss her jaw dropping designs on the runway!

Tickets at: bit.ly/herbigday2017

Her Big Day Bridal Brunch Spotlight: Nuciano

We are picking our jaws up from off the ground at how fab this next prize giveaway at our Bridal Brunch on Sunday is! Think bling, bling and LOTS OF BLING! One lucky bride will win the "Diane Clutch" from Nuciano. Nuciano was started by handbag designer, Joy Egbejimba; a savvy fashion professional. Joy studied Industrial Chemistry at Enugu State University and later obtained a degree in Accounting from Central Washington University. While attending college Joy worked as a model and quickly realized she had a passion for the fashion industry. Joy now resides in Renton, Washington and is ecstatic to immerse herself in the wedding industry with her one of a kind handbags.

"I have always loved fashion and more structured fashion pieces. There remains a gap between quality and affordability, and the Nuciano brand is my effort to help women feel and look their best!"

When Joy is designing, she is inspired by shape, architecture, and color. Every design focuses on flattering a real woman's body. Egbejimba’s technical knowledge of a handbag’s proper fit and design, combined with her innate creative abilities, results in an effortless and wearable line that reflect the kind of woman she is herself; strong, sexy, fun, and fearless.

The Diane Clutch is valued at $385! Here are more details on this gorgeous clutch:

• Completely covered with 100% authentic Crystals
• Style Number: NUC-362-Dia
• Silver, Gold (24K gold plated)
• Titanium compact metal frame and chain
• 20” detachable strap with chain-detailing
• Entirely lined in Genuine Leather
• Plaque with Nuciano Logo inside the purse
• High Quality Closure
• Spare Crystals included
• Packaging: PVC Bag+Fabric Bag+Gift Box
• Size: 9.8”x3.5”x2”
• 25x9x5(cm)

Win your chance at this fabulous prize by securing your ticket to our Bridal Brunch for the cultural bride set for Sunday, June 26th, 2016 from 11AM-3PM at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge! Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite here: bit.ly/herbigdaybridalbrunch!

Farida Designs - 2016 Her Big Day Wedding Show Vendor

Nothing makes us happier than seeing a business remain rich in its culture, especially through fashion which is why we are thrilled to have Farida Designs as one of our Bridal Wear vendors at Her Big Day: A Cultural Wedding Affair. 

Get to know Owners, Easter & Farida below and get excited to mingle with them and see their gorgeous East African traditional dresses at the wedding show in January {buy your tickets here}!

Her Big Day (HBD): Tell us about your business! What do you specialize in and what makes you unique?

Easter & Farida: We aim to use traditional handmade fabric (from the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia or Eritrea) or use traditional design as inspiration. Our culture is so rich and visually interesting that we feel that it can be applied to all manners of clothing. We are trying to change the mindset of our own people and introduce our handmade fabric to the wider fashion world. Our bridal collection attempts to encourage brides to wear solely traditional design or fabric. Our evening wear and developing suit range means clients can wear traditional fabric/design to all formal and informal occasions. We also hope to develop our organic cotton range for daily wear.

HBD: We love how you want your clients to preserve their culture through your clothing in all parts of their wedding! Why are you participating in Her Big Day: A Cultural Wedding Affair? 

Easter & Farida: We are thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce our concept of using traditional fabric and design at Her Big Day: A Cultural Wedding Affair. This is an idea we have experimented with however, we are now developing a line of bridal wear dedicated to our culture. For the first day there is usually a western style of dress, then for the second day there is the 'Melsi' (the cultural day). However, since more couples are opting to have one wedding day and since we believe our fabric is worthy of religious ceremonies and the grandeur of the 'Veilo' (church wedding dress or western style dress) we began to work with couture wedding dressmakers to develop a line of dresses that may persuade Eritrean and Ethiopian brides to show case their culture throughout their wedding celebrations.

HBD: What do you find clients always say they love about working with you?

Easter & Farida: Our clients tend to love the color combination we experiment with, as our fabric is so vibrant in color this is a real pleasure on our part. We also believe that our clients enjoy our mixing of Arabian, African and Western styles of fashion.

HBD: We love your fabric too! We can't wait for our brides to see it too!

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