My name is Khalida Ali, a New York native and founder of Omani Omari, a luxury fashion brand. My journey in design started at the age of 8 while living in Sudan. Sketching was my escape, and by 10, I was already sneaking out with my clothes to visit the local seamstress, hoping to transform my designs into reality. At 13, I lost my sketchbook portfolio, and with it, my passion for design. But my mother reignited my spark by gifting me a sewing machine in 2015, and that’s when my fashion journey took a new turn. My skills grew through YouTube DIY videos and personal projects. I began creating birthday outfits for family and friends. In 2017, I launched Khali Lane, a tester brand where I did everything from makeup to hair, photography, and designing. After a brief break, I returned to fashion by designing durags in 2017, embracing the streetwear culture of New York. This led to the creation of Anonymousplugs, a luxury durag company that I began in 2016. Anonymousplugs came about because I noticed a lack of diversity and options in the durag industry. As a woman in a male dominated space, I was determined to bring new ideas, colors, shapes, and styles to the scene. Anonymousplugs represents a commitment to creating versatile, bold durags that suit different occasions while remaining comfortable and stylish. It’s also a nod to the rich diversity within durag culture, celebrating its roots while looking toward the future. In 2019, I launched Omani Omari, my luxury fashion brand. Despite limited financial resources, I took my own photos, styled my models, did their hair and makeup, and handcrafted each piece myself. My journey has been defined by resilience, creativity, and the constant drive to learn and do more with less.