This Muslim Modest Fashion Designer Finished Second On Project Runway

Ayana Ife

Ayana Ife is a 27 year old modest fashion designer from Salt lake city, Utah, U.S.A. She graduated with honours from Middle Tennessee State University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Textiles Merchandising and Design. 

According to Ayana, as  a result of the fact that she is the eighth of eleven children and she had to make do with clothes handed down to her by her older siblings, she learned to sew and would reconstruct and upcycle the clothes handed down to her by her siblings and "by fifth grade sold her first freelance garment to a classmate. She soon discovered that her designing ability and fashion perspective could grow into a livelihood both fulfilling and lucrative. She plunged herself into the world of fashion doing research, attending workshops, summer courses, volunteering, sewing for neighbors, giving styling advice, shadowing professionals, outfitting men, women, children, and building a clientele of loyal customers."

Ayana Ife

Project Runway is an American reality television (TV) series focused on fashion design. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes they can based on the theme specified by the judges and the materials provided within a very limited time frame. Their designs are judged by a panel, and one or more designers are eliminated from the show each week until only a few contestants remain. These finalists prepare a complete fashion collection for New York Fashion Week, which determines the winner.

Ayana Ife made it to the finals of the 16th season of Project Runway and she is what we term a 'covered girl boss' because she applied four times to compete in the Project Runway show and only succeeded in competing on the show on her fourth try. She is the first-ever Muslim modest fashion designer to make it to the finals of Project Runway and she finished second but she was not the first Muslim modest fashion designer to compete on the show, that position goes to Nzinga Knight who competed in the 13th season of the show.

Ayana Ife with model - Meisha Brooks showcasing one of her creations during the show

After finishing second, on Project Runway, Ayana Ife shared the message below on her Instagram brand page:

"And thats a wrap @projectrunway 🙃 I cannot thank you all enough...for not only embracing and encouraging my modest fashion perspective, but also, for giving me this platform to showcase my work and reach my fabulous audience. Modest fashion is here to stay! This is a very special chapter of an ever evolving story. Ride with me. Stay tuned, Ayana Ife has major plans. Next steps include brand deals, manufacturing and tons of work! To my family, friends, fans, mentors, teachers, supporters, judges, fellow designers, project runway production crew, ranglers...to my precious Tim Gunn...I love you...I love you...I love you... Thank you so much! To: @margaritaalvarezofficial @brandonkee forever top 4!!! Congratulations @kentarokameyama For taking the win!!!! PS. I love you too @zacposen"

The following are some of the messages of support and encouragement shared by her fans on her Facebook brand page:

Some of Ayana Ife's designs are currently available for purchase through her webshop on Etsy . This beautiful dress shirt giving us all the feels is also available for purchase through her webshop.