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Fashion house Mataano brings Somali flare to New York Fashion Week

23 September 2010 7 Comments
Mataano sister’s Idyl (left) and Ayaan

By Karen Welcome

Last week the scene outside the Lincoln Centre was a frenzy of excitement-not just because the world’s best fashion designers were setting the trends for Spring 2011, but also there was an alternative fashion show taking place at The Museum of Biblical Art one block away. Twin sisters Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim-the creative geniuses behind Mataano, presented their spring 2011 collection to fashion lovers, editors and buyers, hoping to gain an audience and garner interest, amidst popular and well respected fashion houses showing the same week.

Mataano-the Somali word for twin, was established in 2008; fitting for the identical sisters born in Somalia. After immigrating to America at the ages of nine they found themselves mesmerized by the fashion images they saw on their tv screens and in magazines.  Years later, the end result is Mataano; a tasteful fusion of New York style and Somalian fashion.

Their spring 2011 collection includes sandy coloured maxi dresses, floral patterned organza blouses, and metallic shifts perfect for cocktails. While the sisters are revelling at their opportunity to present at the museum, they also have their sights set on the African market with two more shows lined up in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

Aside from making Mataano a global brand, their biggest dream is to return to a peaceful Somalia well equipped with a stylish collection of unique prints and magnificent cuts. With all they’ve accomplished so far, the sisters will do just that serving as a catalyst for future Somali-inspired designers.

Mataano Spring 2011 Collection

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7 Comments »

  • LAA said:

    I am totally in love with these clothes. Love all of the looks!! Can we buy their clothes in Canada?

  • swaymag (author) said:

    they have an online store on their website mataano.com, where you can order pieces from their collection

  • Christian Dior Backstage Use pr t for winter 2007 said:

    [...] Fashion house Mataano brings Somalian flare to New York Fashion Week | Sway Magazine [...]

  • LAA said:

    Fantastic, thanks for the info, I’ll go check it out.

  • Tweets that mention Fashion house Mataano brings Somalian flare to New York Fashion Week | Sway Magazine -- Topsy.com said:

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ms. Lynn and Ms. Lynn, SWAY Magazine. SWAY Magazine said: Fashion house Mataano brings Somalian flare to New York Fashion Week http://bit.ly/93zSjf [...]

  • s.s. said:

    i love the clothing and the designers!
    note to the writer:
    the headline should read SOMALI not ‘somalian’. somalian is to somalia as canadia is to canada.

  • swaymag (author) said:

    thanks for the heads up, we’ll definitely make that correction:)

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