To begin, I immersed myself in the world of fashion, visiting malls for inspiration and seeking out wholesalers to build valuable connections. I dove deep into learning about pricing, the market, and the fabrics that would bring my vision to life. It was an overwhelming yet exciting time, filled with discovery. During this period, I spent over three months exploring every detail, while also enjoying the process of trying on different abayas and sharing my finds on TikTok.

The next phase was finding the right wholesaler, a process that required careful consideration. After meeting with several, I built strong relationships with a few, ultimately choosing one for the abayas and another for the hijabs—it felt like the perfect fit. I was also learning about their production process, as I knew once I returned to America, I wouldn’t be able to visit as easily. I truly appreciated their attention to detail, which made all the difference in my decision-making. My mom also loved the one I was leaning toward, which gave me the confidence to move forward. This was the stage I enjoyed most—selecting fabrics, sharing designs, and crafting exclusive pieces that felt personal to me. It was incredibly fulfilling, and it helped ease my anxieties as I brought my vision closer to reality. I am actually giddy writing this, because it reminds me how I was feeling.

This was the month I was preparing to return to the United States, and the reality hit me all at once. I had originally planned a short visit. However, with my contract ending unexpectedly, I found myself packing up my entire apartment while managing orders with my wholesaler. Despite the whirlwind, they worked tirelessly with me, delivering the pieces even faster than the timeline we had agreed upon. I truly appreciate their dedication and the seamless collaboration, and I look forward to continuing our partnership as I move forward with my brand.

From the very beginning, I knew the brand would be called Designs by Dagan, but the visual identity still needed to come together. After much thought, I finally settled on a logo that felt true to the essence of the brand. The next step was building our social media presence. Posting on my personal TikTok wasn’t enough, so I created a dedicated Instagram page to share the journey. This website is the final piece of the puzzle. And now, we’re on the edge of something exciting—awaiting our official launch.