Building a Modest Fashion Brand with Purpose: Meet Ndeye Mariama Faty
Some women follow fashion trends. Others bring a world of culture, creativity and expression into the fold. In this conversation, I’m sitting down with Ndeye Mariama Faty, founder of ZanNabi Boutique, to explore her journey from Senegal to Kansas City, USA and how she is building a modest fashion brand shaped by heritage, family, and a discerning eye for design. We discuss her newest collection, The Luxe Edit, an exclusive eveningwear treasure box created for timeless, unforgettable women. In today’s post, Ndeye shares how she brought her love of fashion to a global audience, the inspiration, ambition, and resilience behind her growing brand.
Meet Ndeye Mariama Faty
Owner and Founder of ZanNabi Boutique
Welcome to Jamillah Bridal! It’s such a pleasure speaking with you, Mariama! Let’s start at the very beginning. Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from, where are you located now, and what inspired your journey into fashion?
My name is Ndeye Mariama Faty. I’m from Dakar, Senegal, but my childhood took me between Senegal and Gambia because of my father’s work. I finished high school in Gambia, studied sociology in Senegal for a year, then moved to Malaysia for four years. From there, I came to the United States in 2009, went to nursing school, got married, and now I’m a registered nurse and a mother of three beautiful daughters here in Missouri. When I first arrived in the States, I struggled to find clothing that honored both my African heritage and my modesty. That gap never left me, and it eventually led me to ZanNabi.
What inspired you to start ZanNabi Boutique?
I never saw myself as a retail person. My cousin and my sister both asked me to start a business, and I said no every time. But I was helping my younger sister who was already in fashion. She’d post pieces on WhatsApp, and I’d repost them. When customers ordered through me, she’d source from suppliers overseas and ship to me…but the quality wasn’t always there. Sizes were off. The products didn’t match what customers needed.
I realized I could do this better. I could vet the products myself, ensure quality, and make sure women got exactly what they were looking for. When customers started giving me compliments—“The quality is always so good, the pieces are so unique”—I realized I actually loved this! I loved that customer satisfaction. And that’s when I knew I had to do it myself, full on.
The name ZanNabi is so unique and beautiful. What does it mean, and how did you choose this name for your brand?
ZanNabi comes from my two greatest loves: one is our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The other is my three daughters. I always dreamed of having a son so I could name him Muhammad Mustafa, as a tribute to the Prophet, but alhamdulillah, Allah blessed me with three beautiful daughters instead. I still wanted to honor that dream, so when I started this business, I decided to dedicate it to the Prophet. I chose “Nabi”—which means prophet—as my tribute to him. In Senegal, there are so many businesses called Nabi this, Nabi that. I wanted something unique. So I combined the first initials of my daughters’ names: Z for Zaira, A for Aisha, and N for Namani. Together, Zan and Nabi became ZanNabi—my faith and my family woven into one name.
Did you always dream of owning a fashion business, or did this path find you unexpectedly?
It found me unexpectedly. But when I look back, I realize fashion has been in the back of my mind for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was also fascinated by the women on Senegalese television. The news anchors, the presenters—they were so eloquent, so confident, the way they carried themselves. I wanted to be like them. Growing up, my mother always taught us to be presentable, no matter our circumstances. Even if something was worn, once you washed it, ironed it, and took care of it, you looked good. That lesson stuck with me—always carry yourself with dignity and intention.
would become my life’s work.
What was the moment when you realized modest fashion needed more options?
When I returned to wearing the hijab a few years ago, shopping became difficult. I’d find a beautiful dress, but it would be short sleeve—so, I’d have to hunt for a cardigan that matched. I was always piecing things together—a long sleeve here, leggings there, a tunic to cover. It was exhausting.
That’s when I realized: we need options. Not every woman wants to wear an abaya, even though I love them. Some of us want to wear a luxurious gown, a dress that makes us feel beautiful for a special occasion. But we want it with full coverage, with modesty built in. We shouldn’t have to compromise between looking elegant and staying true to our faith.
“ZanNabi exists to be part of that woman’s journey. To give her options. To say, you can wear luxury, you can wear elegance, and you can do it while staying true to Islam. You don’t have to choose.”
- Ndeye Mariama Faty
Aïssata Royale - Metallic Brocade Gown | ZanNabi Boutique
Congratulations on launching The Luxe Edit! What inspired this new collection?
Thank you! I wanted to give hijabi women and modest-wearing women more options. The Luxe Edit was inspired by helping them find something luxurious and elegant without compromising coverage. When you go shopping in the US, you see beautiful gowns everywhere. But finding one that’s hijab-friendly, with long sleeves built in, with a fit that honors modesty—it’s nearly impossible. I knew that experience. I lived it. So I thought: why not curate a collection where everything is already done for you? Where a woman can walk in, find a gown that’s breathtaking and completely modest, and not have to piece anything together. That’s The Luxe Edit. It’s for the woman who wants luxury without compromise, elegance without sacrifice.
When you were curating these gowns, who did you have in mind?
When I curated these gowns I was very intentional about which pieces I selected. I had the modest woman in mind. The woman who doesn’t want to compromise her faith, who wants to be fully covered, but still look elegant, still look luxurious. The woman who wants to walk into a room and be recognized, be acknowledged, and represent her Islam with confidence and beauty.
I immediately thought of wedding guests, bridesmaids, and mothers of the bride and groom when I saw the collection! Were weddings part of your inspiration?
Absolutely. Weddings and special events are moments when we’re all looking for something special to wear. And those are exactly the moments when modest women struggle the most. A bridesmaid needs to look elegant and coordinated with the wedding. A mother of the bride wants to feel beautiful and celebrated. A wedding guest wants to dress up without feeling like she’s compromising her values.
I work in the bridal industry, so I meet a lot of women attending formal events—Why do you think so many women struggle to find modest evening gowns?
I think it’s simple: the designers here don’t have us in mind. We’re not the women they’re designing for. Their target audience is different. So when we go shopping, we’re not finding pieces that fit our needs. But I’m hopeful. Muslim-owned brands are aware of this gap now. We’re doing our best to fill it. It’s not easy, but we’re committed. We understand the struggle because we live it!
What makes The Luxe Edit different from other modest eveningwear collections on the market?
Quality, first and foremost. The pieces I curate are top-notch quality. Also, many of our pieces come already embellished. Take the Serenity Gown, for example. It has beautiful beadwork at the neckline. That means you don’t have to hunt for a necklace or worry about finding jewelry that works with your hijab. The embellishment is already there, already thoughtful, already done.
Beyond that, it’s the luxury itself. We’re not a fast-fashion brand. ZanNabi is about sustainability, practicality, and pieces you’ll wear again and again. We think about women who want to invest in something beautiful that will last, that they’ll be proud to pull out for every special occasion. That’s the difference.
Is there a particular gown in the collection that holds a special place in your heart?
The Serenity Gown. It embodies everything I want ZanNabi to represent! The organza fabric has this beautiful sheen to it. When you wear it, you feel the luxury immediately. The neckline is absolutely stunning—delicate beadwork, but not over the top. It’s just the right amount of embellishment. If you’re hijabi, you can pair it with your hijab and the neckline still shines. If you’re not, that neckline gives you everything you need. Just a simple pair of earrings, a beautiful clutch, and you’re done. And then there’s the cape. It’s so versatile. You can drape it, swing it over your shoulders, leave it behind you—however you want to wear it. It gives you freedom and elegance at the same time. It’s a piece that radiates confidence and timeless beauty.
What details are most important to you when selecting a gown for the collection—fabric, fit, embellishments, comfort, elegance?
Fabric is number one. If the fabric quality isn’t there, it doesn’t matter how beautiful the design is. Number two, fit is absolutely vital. The fabric has to drape beautifully on the body while preserving modesty. It can’t be too tight. It needs to move with you. Honestly, when the fabric and design are rich enough, elegance naturally follows. You don’t need much else.
“For me, excellence isn’t just about the product—it’s about how I treat people, how I show up, what I promise and deliver.”
What has been the most rewarding part of owning ZanNabi Boutique?
Doing what I love and seeing the happiness it brings. When customers come back and tell me how much they love the quality, how beautiful the pieces are, that satisfaction is everything. The other rewarding part is watching my daughters. They see me taking risks, building something, not being afraid to fail. I’m teaching them that you can go after what you love. That’s a legacy I’m proud to leave them.
What challenges have taught you the most as an entrepreneur?
One challenge is balancing it all: family, work as a nurse, and running ZanNabi. Being present for my daughters, showing up at the hospital, and building this business all at the same time is a lot. It’s taught me that I can’t do everything myself. I have to delegate, trust my team, and give myself grace on the days when it all feels overwhelming.
The harder challenge has been learning about trust in business. I’m naturally trusting, but I’ve also been disappointed. Now, I vet my manufacturers very carefully. It made me realize that business requires setting boundaries. You can still be kind and believe in people, but you can’t be naive. That’s the balance I’m learning.
What advice would you give to Muslim women who dream of starting their own businesses?
First, do your homework. Learn what you need to learn about the field you want to enter. Don’t let hesitation stop you. Get started and move forward. When it comes to the business itself, don’t compromise on quality. Manufacturers will tell you something is good, and you’ll believe them because you trust them, but vet you manufacturers carefully. Build good relationships with them—I have great relationships with the people I work with because I’m patient and give grace, but have standards and protect them. Don’t let anyone take advantage of your kindness.
And ignore the naysayers. There will be people who doubt you, who question why you’re doing this. Don’t listen to them. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your vision. This is your dream, not theirs. Most importantly, put Allah first. Do what you need to do, work hard, be smart—but trust that Allah is guiding you. When you put Him first, everything else will fall into place. Move forward with that faith.
As your brand continues to grow, what is your mission?
My mission is to be known as a brand for bold, modest pieces with African flare. I want to bring that Senegalese and African heritage into everything we do—whether it’s abayas, kaftans, jackets, or skirts. I want Muslim women, regardless of their background, to wear these pieces confidently. Personally, I’m also dreaming of going to design school so I can learn to design and cut and sew myself. I don’t just want to curate pieces—I want to be fully involved in the customer’s journey. And ultimately, I want to make African fashion accessible and wearable for everyone. Not just loud statement pieces, but designs that work in different spaces—office wear, evening wear, celebrations. I want other cultures to experience and embrace African design with the same confidence we do when we wear theirs. Fashion should be a bridge between cultures.
What is your long-term vision for ZanNabi Boutique?
I’d be lying if I said I don’t want a brick and mortar space! That’s the dream. I want shopping at ZanNabi to be a cultural experience. I want women to walk in and feel Morocco, feel Kenya, feel Senegal…I want to celebrate not just Senegalese culture, but all African cultures. I want a woman who doesn’t know much about her African heritage to walk in and learn something about who she might be, who her ancestors were—through fashion, through art, through the whole experience. That’s the long-term vision: a global brand with a physical space that celebrates African culture and serves modest women everywhere.
Beyond that, I want to ship globally—to Europe, Asia, everywhere. I want ZanNabi pieces to reach women all over the world who are looking for modest, beautiful clothing.
What legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of Muslim women and girls?
I want them to know that being true to your faith and being celebrated are not mutually exclusive. You can be hijabi, you can dress modestly, and you can still be seen and recognized. Modesty is powerful, not limiting. I started this journey in my forties. I’m not afraid to take risks, to build something, to keep going even when it’s hard. I want them to see that and know they can do the same. Challenges will come in whatever you pursue—school, business, life. Don’t run from them. Face them with courage and trust in Allah. That’s the legacy I want to leave.
À Moi Silhouette (left) and the Éclat de Soie (right) | ZanNabi Boutique
Ok, just for fun…what is your favorite dress in your closet right now?
Right now it’s the Aisha Wrap Dress from our newest collection. It’s beautiful and so versatile. You can wear it however you want—tie it different ways, rock it different ways. That’s my favorite right now.
Coffee or tea?
Tea, definitely. I do drink coffee, but I’m much more of a tea person.
Favorite city you’ve ever visited?
Istanbul, Turkey. The architecture is stunning, the vibe is incredible. The food—oh my gosh, the food! And there’s something special about being surrounded by Muslims, by that culture and faith all around you. It just charmed me completely.
One word that describes ZanNabi Boutique?
Boldness.
One word that describes your journey?
Resilience. Throughout building ZanNabi, it’s been a long journey with lots of learning and challenges, but we keep going. That’s resilience.
If you could sit down with every woman reading this article, what would you want them to know?
It would be an honor to help you find the perfect piece for your special occasion! This is your moment, your celebration. Let’s figure out together what makes you feel beautiful, confident, and true to yourself. Whether you’re looking for modesty, elegance, or both—let’s create that together. That’s what I want you to know: you’re not alone in this journey, and I’m here to help you shine.
Mariama, thank you for sharing your story with us and offering such a thoughtful look into the heart of ZanNabi Boutique. Your journey is a beautiful reminder that some of the most meaningful businesses grow from personal experiences, a clear vision, and the courage to pursue something new at any age. With The Luxe Edit, you’re creating more than a collection of gowns; you’re making space for women to celebrate life’s special moments in pieces that reflect elegance, confidence, and cultural heritage. I look forward to seeing ZanNabi continue to grow and bring its distinctive vision of African fashion to women around the world!
Explore The Luxe Edit and discover your next special-occasion look at zannabiboutique.com.
XOXO,
Jamillah
