In Season 3 Episode 5 of I So Appreciate You!, co-hosts Nadege Souvenir and Melanie Hoffert talk to Rammy Mohamed, the designer and founder of Ramadhan Designs who is making waves in the Twin Cities fashion industry and beyond.

From a young age, Rammy Mohammed showed a predilection for art and to this day, she credits fine art for much of what inspires her designs. Despite always having a clear eye for design, she wasn’t on the path to becoming a fashion designer when she went to school. Out of a sense of practicality, Rammy pursued a degree in business, yet found herself coming back to fashion in her early professional years, going to fashion school so she could learn how to make clothing and eventually have her own boutique. For Rammy, fashion is everywhere, and thus hard to avoid. She sees creativity behind everything, even in the functionality of seemingly unfashionable things, like a surgeon’s gown. She sees fashion and function as inseparable.

“Art and fashion are as important as the doctor. If the doctor is doing the surgery, he’s most likely wearing a gown that’s made by someone like myself. It came from our industry. You need creatives, you need innovation.”

But functionality is only one facet of Rammy’s intricate designs. She seamlessly blends her own cultural background into the very fabric of her clothes, bridging her East African heritage with her Midwestern community. As a Muslim woman of Oromo descent, Rammy acknowledges that the culture lends itself to modest designs, but she doesn’t see that as limited just to Muslim community members as people from all cultures may gravitate towards modesty. Rammy’s clothes are accessible to a broad range of people and are at the intersection of fashion where for some their imagination would never let them go before. In her eyes, she’s bringing cultural perspective to high-end fashion and doing it all in Saint Paul, Minnesota, her home that she credits for helping get her business off the ground.

In this episode, co-hosts Nadege Souvenir and Melanie Hoffert talk to Rammy about what inspires her—from the artists she follows to her cultural background that is woven through every piece she makes. They discuss her connections to Saint Paul, how she got her storefront in the downtown skyway, and how she’s not only helping to revitalize downtown but also her big plans to make Saint Paul the next epicenter of fashion. Rammy also advises on how to make fashion less intimidating and shares what exciting new projects she has up her sleeve.

Links

Website

Ferrari Sheppard – Artist’s Instagram

Marcel Duchamp “Fountain” 1917/1964

MIA

Facing Race Awards 2023

Follow Rammy on:

Instagram

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Nadege Souvenir:

Welcome, everyone, to I So Appreciate You!, a raw, funny, and uniquely insightful podcast about the issues and opportunities we all face as values-based leaders and humans. I'm Nadege.

Melanie Hoffert:

And I'm Melanie. We're colleagues at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, and we're friends. When we get together, our conversations can go anywhere, especially when bringing a friend or two along for the ride.

Nadege Souvenir:

So, we're inviting you to join us and some incredible guests as we explore the challenges and triumphs of people shaking up our community for the better.

Melanie Hoffert:

Hello, everyone. Welcome to I So Appreciate You! We're super excited for today. We have Rammy Mohamed from Ramadhan Design. She is... Well, she's so many things.

Nadege Souvenir:

She is, and I'm so looking forward to getting into her clothes and everything she does.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yeah. Fashion designer extraordinaire.

Nadege Souvenir:

Exactly, exactly.

Melanie Hoffert:

Well, this is an interesting episode for us, because I think of you as a fashion icon.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, God, that's... I find this too much.

Melanie Hoffert:

I know you're going to love this. You're going to love it.

Nadege Souvenir:

Settle down.

Melanie Hoffert:

But truly, I mean, fashion... We can talk about me in a sec maybe, but in your life, it seems to play a very particular role. Can you talk about what that is, if you're comfortable?

Nadege Souvenir:

I mean, it's not that serious. Or, maybe it is and I don't even fully realize it.

Melanie Hoffert:

That's what I think. I think we need to have a moment here.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah. So, I've never really thought of myself as a fashionable person in the sense that I see other people and I'm like, "Oh, wow, look at what they're doing. They're putting together colors and fabrics." But I have often been the fashionable... Oh my gosh, I can't even say that word... person in the space.

Melanie Hoffert:

You have an aversion. We have to have this moment.

Nadege Souvenir:

I mean, applying for a job at the law firm, they gave you the rules, right?

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes.

Nadege Souvenir:

You're supposed to wear a black suit, standard.

Melanie Hoffert:

I remember that.

Nadege Souvenir:

Skirts ideally. I was still in the era where they were telling you to wear skirts and not pants. Gross.

Melanie Hoffert:

Gross.

Nadege Souvenir:

And I broke the rules. I showed up in, it was black, but it had pink pinstripes and it was a three-quarter sleeve.

Melanie Hoffert:

Ah. Yes.

Nadege Souvenir:

But I didn't feel confident and strong in a generic black suit. But I found that suit... I think I got it at Express probably, who knows?... and I was like, "This is me." And I know that I showed up better in those interviews in that suit than I would have had I worn the other suits. And I got plenty of offers, so I think that that bears out. So, I think I realized at some point, for me, fashion wasn't necessarily so much about being fashion-y, but it was about being in the power of the moment, whatever I needed in the moment. I still distinctly remember a deposition I had to take. I was terrified because opposing counsel was particularly just argued everything. Yes, I was a litigator. Yes, I know conflict and adversarial processes is part of what we do, but I don't like conflict for no good reason, and this was an opposing counsel that just like to start trouble. And it was a big case.

So, that day I wore a red jacket to the deposition because red is my power color.

Melanie Hoffert:

Power color, yeah.

Nadege Souvenir:

And red is not a color you expect lawyers to show up wearing. But I was like, "I have to show up as my biggest, baddest self. And the only way for me to do that is to wear the color that I believe is my power color." So, I don't know, for me, fashion is always about what is the armor I need for that day? And not armor as in, "I'm going to war", but what do I need today? Do I need softness so then I'm going to be layered, and baggy, and whatever? Do I need to be a badass? So, it's like here are the heels with the spikes. Those are my Valentino's. I love them. And the pencil skirt and the clearly sharp edges. I don't know, that's kind of how I think about it.

Melanie Hoffert:

Well, and the reason I bring it up, for those of you who might not follow Nadege on Instagram, you should, because you... And I think you described it perfectly, your mood factors in sometimes, from what I can tell, to what you're wearing, and you're very creative in terms of how you put things together. And you may or may have not gotten many photos from me in a dressing room having a meltdown and panic attack. So, I also trust your advice and guidance. "No, don't do that. That looks okay." So, I heed your advice. So, anyway, that's really interesting to hear. Fashion is important.

Nadege Souvenir:

I mean, it is, I think. And I think it's a big part of who we are. And I think even when you think it's not important, I think... I mean, I know you care about fashion.

Melanie Hoffert:

I, 100%, care, but I have meltdowns all the time around it. I'm kind of caught between two worlds. One is, I do like expression. I like my signature things that I like. And then over here I'm like, "But it would be so easy to have a uniform." I'm like, "Where should I be?" And it's an identity crisis that I have often with my clothes. So, because I don't have that path, I think I fight it more than I embrace it.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, that's so interesting, because I feel like I can always tell when somebody is wearing something that they love, because you just show up differently. Like you show in more energy.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh. And that's the truth when you look good.

Nadege Souvenir:

And good is defined by whomever. So, it's not even like, good is wearing these three things. It's, how you feel-

Melanie Hoffert:

You feel.

Nadege Souvenir:

Like, "You look like a rockstar." And it's like I can almost receive that energy. And I know I've said to people, "Oh my God, what is happening here? You look amazing to me."

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh, I've gotten that from you. And yes, that feels good, because you can read it.

Nadege Souvenir:

You're right, the reaction and then you get this joy back from the person because they put something together that was so them and you received it as them.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes. And it's interesting because you've called me in those moments and other times when I'm probably feeling like crap because I threw on whatever, or vice versa, I'm not feeling well, so I don't take time. So, you're like a fashion detective.

Nadege Souvenir:

I don't know. You know who's probably an actual fashion detective?

Melanie Hoffert:

Who?

Nadege Souvenir:

Rammy.

Melanie Hoffert:

Rammy is, yes.

Nadege Souvenir:

We should probably... Because she's like a legit expert and a legit fashion icon, so should we get to the conversation?

Melanie Hoffert:

That's a fit. Let's bring her on.

Nadege Souvenir:

All right.

By now you know, Melanie and I work for a community foundation. But what is a community foundation? How does it differ from other foundations and non-profit organizations? Community foundations, like the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, bring together the financial resources of families, individuals, and organizations who care about a specific place, and then invest those resources back into the community. Want to know more about us and how we do our work? Visit spmcf.org/blog and search, what is a community foundation?

Welcome back, listeners. We are super excited to be joined by Rammy Mohamed of Ramadhan Designs. Hi, Rammy, how are you?

Rammy Mohamed:

Hi. Good. How are you?

Nadege Souvenir:

Good, good.

Well, let me tell our listeners a little bit about you before we dive on in. So, for those of you who don't know, and you should know, but for those of you who don't know, Rammy is a highly acclaimed fashion designer. She is the founder, owner, and creative force behind Ramadhan Designs, which is a Saint Paul-based, and Rammy has dressed some notable Twin Cities change makers, including one of our recent guests, Seena Hodges.

Rammy Mohamed:

Oh, yes. Seena was-

Melanie Hoffert:

That was... Yeah.

Nadege Souvenir:

I know. So, all the connections.

Melanie Hoffert:

No, I know. So, I was Googling and I admired that dress before I knew it was yours. That was really gorgeous.

Rammy Mohamed:

Oh. Thank you.

Melanie Hoffert:

So, Rammy, before we get into the questions we have for you, we'd like to kick off our podcast with a little bit of a, this or that moment, just kind of loosen us up.

Rammy Mohamed:

Which I love.

Melanie Hoffert:

Okay. Okay, good. Oh, that's-

Nadege Souvenir:

She's a listener. Thank you for listening.

Okay. First one, dine alone or watch a movie alone, and this would be out in the world.

Rammy Mohamed:

Watch a movie alone. I can't do a restaurant by myself.

Nadege Souvenir:

Have you ever?

Rammy Mohamed:

Never.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh. Okay.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh. All right.

Rammy Mohamed:

I can do a coffee shop. A restaurant, I can't. No.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah. Oh. Yeah. When-

Rammy Mohamed:

It's on my list though, that and a movie.

Nadege Souvenir:

Okay, good. I mean, you could... I've done it before. Have you?

Melanie Hoffert:

Yeah, yeah.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah. But I probably spent way too much time on my phone though, although I was reading a book on my phone, so does that count as being-

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh, it does count.

Nadege Souvenir:

Okay. Yeah.

Rammy Mohamed:

I admire that.

Melanie Hoffert:

All right. The next one's a little bit of a seasonal question, apple cider or hot chocolate?

Rammy Mohamed:

Neither.

Melanie Hoffert:

Ooh.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, that was affirmative.

Melanie Hoffert:

Maybe coffee? We have a coffee sitting in front of you.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. I'm a coffee girl. Yeah.

Melanie Hoffert:

Okay. Yeah. You need to-

Rammy Mohamed:

Any way you serve it, I'll have it.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes. I love you already.

For an art project, crayons or glue?

Rammy Mohamed:

Glue.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh, that was really fast. You knew exactly.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. I could do so much with glue.

Nadege Souvenir:

Well, now I'm intrigued because you're actually super talented. So, you say that and I want to know what I'm not imagining with glue, because I would've picked crayons.

Rammy Mohamed:

Paper maches. You could do different shapes. You can make jewelry out of them.

Nadege Souvenir:

Right.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. And it's messy and it's nice when you clean up just peeling off the glue.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, that is satisfying.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yeah. Oh, that is super satisfying.

Rammy Mohamed:

It's super satisfying.

Melanie Hoffert:

Great. Thank you for that.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yes.

Nadege Souvenir:

All right. Well, let's get into it. So, I think that some of our listeners will be fascinated to learn that you have an accounting and finance background. You were a business person. And I know that we've talked to a bunch of folks with artistic backgrounds or who didn't necessarily start in those spaces. And we also know that there are people out there who are afraid to change course if their passion calls them elsewhere, which you did. You did change course after going to school for something else. And we'd love to have you talk a little bit about your journey into fashion.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. I've always been passion... I had a passion for fashion and I had an eye in terms of how folks put clothes together and how we identify folks based on their styles. I was lucky enough to witness my uncle create garments growing up. It was cool to see at one point his clothes to be featured on a local television in East Africa. And seeing these very famous people wearing his clothes, definitely ingrained in my brain. And my family and I were one of those lucky refugees to settle in Saint Paul, as many immigrants with first generation would understand, my family was very, not verbally necessarily, but had expectation of like, "You go to college, you get educated, you get a better job than we did, and you do very well. There's no question to it. We brought you here so you need to make something out of yourself."

So, the arts was out of question. I mean, you barely have health insurance let alone to live off of that. So, I think, and I, like many East Africans there into the medical field, I feel people's pain. I can't see blood.

Nadege Souvenir:

Me neither.

Rammy Mohamed:

No.

Nadege Souvenir:

Me neither.

Rammy Mohamed:

I can't see people suffer whatsoever, because I feel it physically in my body. I knew that was not for me, but I tend to excel in art. As an ESL student, I excelled in art to the point where I took an IB course in high school for art. I was like, "Wait, museums are a thing where I can go and look at these art that are made." And I got obsessed and I always try to find a way to combine art into what I'm wearing also. Eventually, I studied business, because it was a lot easy and I was lucky enough to get a job at an ABM company. It's a parking company that works in junction with the city of Minneapolis. I worked in their parking department for accounting. I learned a lot about hunting and fishing, because that's what my coworkers talked about.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh. Okay.

Melanie Hoffert:

No, I didn't expect that. I love it.

Nadege Souvenir:

Unexpected turn.

Rammy Mohamed:

It was completely male dominated industry and they were so sweet. And I learned a lot about baseball and things, because that's all they talked about. But I knew this was not the life I wanted to live, but I initially just wanted to open a boutique because I was also on a journey of discovering myself, and who I am, and just trying to find a place in this world. And I realized I need to embrace who I am as a Muslim woman and also as an American, because I grew up here, but there's always, it still is, huge different communities in terms of Muslim Americans as identity-wise in terms of clothing. And I shopped everywhere and I would get a lot of compliments. And I'm like, "You know what? I'm going to start a boutique where people can come and shop what I like." And I'm like, "Oh, I can maybe make them." And I'm like, "Oh, I can hire people to make clothes for me and I'll sell it in my store."

And I realized there's a lot of middlemen. They don't understand the way I choose my fabric and things like that.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh.

Rammy Mohamed:

So, I was like, "You know what? Let me look into what if I just go to school, and learn all the tricks, and I can open my own boutique?" So, that's how fashion school came about. It wasn't a dream or anything. It was more of practical, I need to learn how things are made. And then that was the best decision I've ever made in my life. Fashion school and art school changed the way I see things. I changed the way I see the world. So, that was my journey into art school.

Nadege Souvenir:

That's fascinating. And I love that it was a practical thing that actually took you to art school, which is not normally what people think about as the inspiration.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes. Right.

Rammy Mohamed:

Correct.

Melanie Hoffert:

At that point in time, did you feel that pressure lesson with what you were supposed to do versus now you're pursuing something that you're passionate about? Because still, I think art school and even fashion might not be looked at in the same way as being a doctor going to business school in terms of how we are supposed to make money in culture and society.

Rammy Mohamed:

True. Which kind of sucks, because -

Melanie Hoffert:

Absolutely.

Nadege Souvenir:

100% sucks.

Rammy Mohamed:

And it really, really, really helped me see, okay, art and fashion is as important as the doctor, because if the doctor is doing a surgery, he's most likely wearing a gown that's made by someone like myself. Correct?

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah.

Rammy Mohamed:

It came from our industry. It's not like folks are walking around naked. You need creatives, you need innovation, and our study to wear the garments you're wearing.

Nadege Souvenir:

Right. Yeah. I really love that you said that, we need creatives and we need innovation. And you tied it to what a surgeon might be wearing when they're in that practice. And I don't think that people think, the medical scrubs, they don't think there's creativity there, but there's creativity in everything that we wear.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. Totally.

Nadege Souvenir:

Even in the functionality of clothes, wouldn't you say?

Rammy Mohamed:

Correct. Especially living in a state where we have four seasons, like the jackets you're wearing and to those tank top during the summer that you want to wear. Material matters. Who's making them matters, but... Yeah.

Melanie Hoffert:

I'm curious about your creative process. Looking at your amazing portfolio and the work that you do. I know it started somewhere. There was an idea, or you're inspired, or you picked up one piece of material. So, to get to those really elaborate end products, could you talk a little bit about where the ideas come from, how you put things together, that whole process you go through?

Rammy Mohamed:

Yes. It's not a secret, but I think it's only a few people that knows, but I think maybe your audience will know this time around. But every single thing I've ever created in terms of collection-wise, all is an inspiration from a painting. So, each season, each year, I choose a painter. A couple of painters I've chosen them, because they have multiple work that speaks to me. Again, that goes back to the love of art that I have. I have so much love for art and artist. In the past, I've done collection based on... Like right now the current collection '23-'24 is by Ferrari Sheppard. I don't know if you guys are familiar with him.

Nadege Souvenir:

No.

Rammy Mohamed:

He is young, so to speak. He's in his 40s. He's an African-American painter from Chicago. I stalk him on Instagram.

Nadege Souvenir:

I do that with my favorite folks too, so I get it. I get it.

Rammy Mohamed:

He's amazing. And I sent him a message too, saying, "Hey, you're my inspiration for '23-'24 collection." But previously I've done a Bossier collection and I've done a couple of Monet's. But so depending on what season it is, and it's usually I'm inspired by a painting that I've seen. I'm a frequent visitor at the MIA and there's just different artists. I've done Dali. So, different painters in different time. I've done Duchamp at one point. It's particularly the urinal. I don't know if you guys are familiar with him, but maybe that's something you guys could look into.

Melanie Hoffert:

Absolutely.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah. I feel like we got to share all these artists names with us.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes. I know. And we might have to have a little field trip to Monet. It's been a while.

Nadege Souvenir:

Field trip with Rammy to-

Rammy Mohamed:

Yes. Let's start at the MIA.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh my gosh.

Well, I just have to say that I love that answer and I didn't know that.

Rammy Mohamed:

Thank you.

Melanie Hoffert:

And so to hear that your love of art, just taking inspiration,,, because that's how we all... I write and I'll pick up a poem and there'll be a word or phrase in that poem that just will lead me to something new. So, it's fun to hear how that works for you.

Rammy Mohamed:

Well, thank you.

Nadege Souvenir:

So, I think one of the things that I love about your clothes and your collections is that they're so accessible to a broad range of people. You have clothes that are more modest. You have clothes that are all of your super high-end. You are somehow at the intersection of fashion where I think some people, their imagination never let them go before. Can you talk a little bit about bringing your cultural perspective to high-end fashion?

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. And I do see my privileges in terms of that. I have multiple layers to me in my identity. So, I'm an East African refugee in the city of Saint Paul. And I am a Muslim woman, who grew up here in America. And also, I'm a Black woman. So, it's my perspective as a refugee Black woman. So, culturally, yes, I am Oromo from East Africa. So, our region wore more one-shoulder style, one of the things where me and Seena bonded over. She loves the one-shoulder. So, that's my cultural aspect of it. And in terms of modesty, it's a one billion religion, so there are multiple women that can identify. But I realize that it's not just Muslim women who want to wear modest, although that's how we see it as it's many faiths, Abrahamic faith, that, who practice, who liked modest clothes. Or, some people just naturally gravitate toward modesty.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah, absolutely.

Rammy Mohamed:

So, just that gave me more room for me to play around with. So, I make a lot of sheer clothing and everybody's like, "You're a modest." I'm like, "No, I'm not telling you to wear it with nothing, but you could..." Sheer gives you an opportunity to layer, right?

Nadege Souvenir:

Yes. Yeah.

Rammy Mohamed:

Some people like to show off their arm, but not their neck. So, you could wear a turtleneck with no sleeves on it. So, I feel like sheer gives you a room to play around with. So that's what I mostly I try to do. And in terms of for folks, I do a lot of custom clothing. Or, if I make just one piece, I'll save a bigger portion of my fabric stay. So, then if Nadege likes it, but she's like, "Rammy, I love this, but I would want it like that", then I could just make it for her. That's the advantage and that's the privilege you would have working with a local is that they can make it for your size. And I want every woman to feel beautiful, but I never wanted to put my beliefs or what I think is fashionable on folks, because that's what the industry is trying to do in most stores also. But see, you can use fabric and silhouettes to express yourself, because I think everybody has their own style and we can embrace it all by just giving into what they want or what they need.

Melanie Hoffert:

You mentioned Saint Paul, and we were talking just before the show that you make everything in your store in Saint Paul, and also seem very passionate about getting people over to where we are at right now.

Rammy Mohamed:

The fun side.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes, the fun side. So, could you talk a little bit about... Well, I have so many questions in here. I love that you're making your own stuff in the store, so we could go there. But you had also mentioned the history of fashion in Saint Paul, and we were looking forward to a little bit of a history lesson. So, could you tell us what we should know?

Rammy Mohamed:

Sure. I'm not going to say I'm an expert in this.

Melanie Hoffert:

Of course, yes.

Rammy Mohamed:

So, if I have made a mistake, please correct me. I would love that. So, what I've learned is that... Everybody's like, "Why Saint Paul? Why do you talk about Saint Paul so much?" Yeah, I've never lived in Minneapolis or any other city. I've lived in Saint Paul on purpose.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah.

Rammy Mohamed:

My family and I've called Saint Paul home since we've migrated. This city has given us so much. So, I want to give back to that. And I start researching and growing up learning about the Randall neighborhood and what happened there, or how can I contribute to the city I love so much and also contribute to community that fought so hard to bring African immigrants in this community. And I'm referring to most of the African-American communities who were educated and were in a lawmaking space and made room for African immigrants and refugees to come into Saint Paul. So, I really wanted to give back to that. And that also led me into researching. So, then I keep researching and I keep learning that.

Well, in the 1930s, Saint Paul was a sanctuary city, so all the mobsters used to come into Saint Paul. And being on the Mississippi River also gave us a big... An advantage, of course. So, there's ships. Not like they're flying or anything like that. So, when those mobsters would come, there's a lot of speakeasies, there's a lot of tunnels and things like that. And that also gave rooms to creatives. So, all the best fine wool, and silk, and things like that were also getting imported into the city of Saint Paul. And that means there were artisans that are making these coats, and suits, and things like that. So, I wanted to highlight that part. I think that's the part I want to bring back into Saint Paul.

So, we have Heimie's around the corner for the dappered guys. So, I wanted to have that for the ladies that you could come in here. So, I wanted to make my mark in the city saying like, "The most fashionable clothes come in from Saint Paul, Minnesota."

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, that's-

Rammy Mohamed:

So, that's my passion and I want to-

Melanie Hoffert:

I love that you're continuing that tradition.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yes. Absolutely.

Nadege Souvenir:

I love that so much. I love that you've tied it back to the history of the space and now you're in a storefront in the Saint Paul Skyway. So, part of the revitalization of the... Post COVID, we're trying to do everything we can to get people back downtown.

Rammy Mohamed:

Correct.

Nadege Souvenir:

What is it like to be a part of that and to be in a space like that, because not in a little boutique on a street level. You're in the skyway, in the sort of hustle and bustle of the business day.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. I know. I love that. And I am so grateful for that opportunity. That goes to show you networking is so important.

Nadege Souvenir:

All right, folks, you've heard?

Rammy Mohamed:

It's so important getting out of your comfort zone, because I was working for my basement. And I'm sure Seena remembers the many fittings that we've had in my basement studio. But so, for me, it was my very first storefront/studio. For me also as a journey as an artist, discovering or learning the boundaries between a workspace and a living space, where I live, separating the two was so important and I didn't know what that meant mentally. So, for me to have a space where I can go in, create things and be like, "Okay, I'm tired now I'm going to go home, rest, and then come back with the fresh mind in the morning", that's definitely has helped me a lot.

And also, being on the Skyway, you never know who you run into. And Angela Davis walks every day. I'm just like, I wonder if I'll have the courage to say hi.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh. Just say-

Rammy Mohamed:

And I see her-

Nadege Souvenir:

Okay. Angela, if you're listening, please say hi to Rammy.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes. Yeah.

Rammy Mohamed:

I've helped her when she purchased a dress a long time ago, so I'm familiar with her, but I was just like, "Oh my God, I think it was Angela Davis."

Nadege Souvenir:

I love it. Just so you know, there are people who walk by your shop and they're like, "Oh my God, that's Rammy's shop. I don't think I can go in there."

Rammy Mohamed:

Why not? Please come in.

Nadege Souvenir:

Because I said it, you're highly acclaimed and there are people who are intimidated by your creativity.

Rammy Mohamed:

Oh my God. Oh my God, really?

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah. In the best way. They'll get there. They'll get in the shop.

Rammy Mohamed:

Please, come say hi.

Nadege Souvenir:

But in that sort of way.

Rammy Mohamed:

I love that.

Nadege Souvenir:

So, I just want you to know there's this whole circle of life here happening as you-

Rammy Mohamed:

Oh, wow.

Melanie Hoffert:

Can we talk about intimidation with fashion for a second? Maybe I'm talking to both of you.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah.

Melanie Hoffert:

For people, who even just getting dressed in the morning, maybe I might be speaking for myself, making the selections and figuring out what looks good, and it isn't... Well, it's an art. And I'm just wondering if you could give some of us some advice on how to make fashion less intimidating.

Rammy Mohamed:

I think listening to these blogs on these so-called fashion experts and the things that you've heard, forget it.

Melanie Hoffert:

I was going to say, "Mm-hmm. Okay."

Rammy Mohamed:

No, forget it. There's no such a thing as somebody just was born with that or whatever. They just wanted to dictate things. That's their opinion. Even what I'm about to tell you is my opinion, right?

Melanie Hoffert:

But I'm going to listen.

Rammy Mohamed:

But I think with fashion, and I think a lot of Muslim women also suffer from that is what's considered modest, because not a lot of items are available for you. It takes a little imagination. And now what I always say is, where's the one photo you have of you that you don't mind posting over and over again? And then I always say, "What do you have on that day? What was that item that you were wearing?" And I always say, "Buy something you like, not what other people think is nice." There's so many cool things that Nadege wear that I wish I could wear, but I just don't have the torso for it. So just like... So, understanding your body, what part of your body you want to show off that you love. And also, getting things that are just whether shopping local or shopping somewhere that will remind you of that person or that thing or that feeling all the time.

Melanie Hoffert:

I love that.

Rammy Mohamed:

Not your layer pieces, perhaps not. But I think shopping like that would help. And there's no rule.

Nadege Souvenir:

No.

Rammy Mohamed:

There's no rule.

Nadege Souvenir:

I mean, other than that you have to put clothes on.

Melanie Hoffert:

That, you have to do.

Rammy Mohamed:

Geez, yes. Geez, yes.

Nadege Souvenir:

Like you have to [inaudible 00:30:13]. No shoes, no shirt [inaudible 00:30:13] sort of thing, but...

Melanie Hoffert:

Right. Right. That kind of thing, yeah. Thank you.

Rammy Mohamed:

Even for that, there's new shoes now.

Nadege Souvenir:

[inaudible 00:30:19].

Melanie Hoffert:

Yeah, right. That's a good point.

Rammy Mohamed:

But yeah, I think-

Melanie Hoffert:

Those are very tangible, concrete things that people, including myself, can do. First of all, the shoe, the rules, bye-bye.

Rammy Mohamed:

You look very good, [inaudible 00:30:31]. I love the color.

Melanie Hoffert:

I'm gloating.

Rammy Mohamed:

Seriously.

Melanie Hoffert:

I'm floating.

Rammy Mohamed:

I think that's so beautiful.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yeah. Thank you. I think that I kind of match you two. Is there some green [inaudible 00:30:39]?

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. We're green.

Nadege Souvenir:

We do have a color coordination going on today.

Rammy Mohamed:

We do.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh my goodness. So, you are doing, I think, some really interesting partnership work. I mean, one, you're in that storefront. I know you were doing, and I'm going to get this wrong, something with Metro Transit.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yes.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yes. Cool. I want to hear about this.

Rammy Mohamed:

I think there's an advantage of being in this city. You get to work with fun individuals and fun organizations. So, once in a while I get a fun opportunity such as I had an opportunity to work with you guys.

Melanie Hoffert:

Right.

Nadege Souvenir:

True.

Melanie Hoffert:

That was big hit. Can you talk about that?

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah, it was... Oh, I'm so glad. So, for me, it was so much fun just creating something that doesn't exist and getting an inspiration from their logo. So, for the audience that didn't know, I had an opportunity to custom-made a scarf that's inspired by the Saint Paul Minnesota Foundation logo. So, I was able to make something custom for them. So, in that realm, I had an opportunity to work with Metro Transit. There's a new proposed map, there's a new line, it's called the Blue Extension Line that's going to be going from downtown Minneapolis... I was going to say Saint Paul... go from downtown Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park. So, there's a lot of controversy on where it's going to go through, because we don't want another 94 again going through Broadway.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yeah. Understood.

Rammy Mohamed:

So, all of that and what that means. So, there is a proposed map. I don't think it's official yet, but so I used that to create... I used the maps, and I print them, and created a garment out of them to educate the community or the folks around that this project is coming along, and if you have any question, you can reach out to them. And now I get to work with the NEOO Partners and that's really cool.

Melanie Hoffert:

Well, that really speaks to where inspiration can start, which is anywhere.

Rammy Mohamed:

Anywhere.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yes. We're talking about a bus line and a map, that's just a really, really cool leap. And also, you work as a cultural consultant it sounds like. Can you talk a little bit about that work and what it looks like?

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. So, I think earlier on it's still in terms of how to talk to companies and organizations who are either... One, my expertise as a Muslim woman, again, in the Muslim community in terms of fashion-wise, I worked with Rosedale Center where we're trying to see these malls... Every end of Ramadan, there are thousands and thousands of Muslims in Minnesota who are shopping, but advertising and special coupons or any accommodations are not being met, such as a place to pray in the last 10 days of Ramadan in these malls, because we're shopping and we're fasting, and there's no designated place for us to pray. So, I want to thank Rosedale Center to work with me.

Another one I did was, I'm working with a company called Mawadda. I created, I designed them hygienic hijab. So, they're use and throw hijabs for medical. It's a company based in Saint Paul also. The Twin cities, I should say because I'm not sure where they're registered. I like the thing is in Saint Paul, but so having these disposable hijabs available for medical employees. So, I designed that through that system also. So, what does innovation looks like? Providing different things for different communities and not cultural.

Nadege Souvenir:

That's great.

Melanie Hoffert:

And that really brings to home the example you used earlier with medical personnel and what they're wearing. And this is a very practical piece that they need. So, that's-

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. And now we're hitting another one, which is medical scrubs that are modest.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, yeah. Okay.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. Because there's a lot of women who are forced to wear pants who, religiously, don't-

Nadege Souvenir:

Wear pants.

Rammy Mohamed:

Pants. So we're making skirts and we're making shirts that are long enough. And also, my cousin is a nurse. So, if she's wearing these cloth hijabs and sometimes they're in a ER, they're in top of the gurney, and they're giving CPR.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh.

Rammy Mohamed:

You don't want these scarfs touching wounds and things like that, because they are materials, and they will move, and they're soft. So, thinking an innovative way of covering their body without being exposed yet giving assistance and also being modest or having a respected attire for their religion also. But non-Muslims are also loving it because if you are in the ER or anywhere, you want to cover your hair, at least you could get to use it and throw it. So, it's use and throw it for... Yeah. So, we've been doing that for the last two and a half years and it's rigorous work, but it's fun. So, that's another side, adding to the economy locally. And I'm very passionate about creating clothes. So, another thing that I'm working on, it's possibly opening something like a manufacturer in Saint Paul.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, wow.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. That's where I'm at.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh my goodness.

Nadege Souvenir:

Great. You are doing so much.

Rammy Mohamed:

A lot.

Nadege Souvenir:

It's fashion. It's commerce. The things that you're talking about are so great. And we personally love that you're talking about Saint Paul so much in the work that you're doing. So, this is going to go a little off of fashion, but it's going to stick to Saint Paul. What are some of your Saint Paul favorites? Because you're clearly a Saint Paul girl.

Rammy Mohamed:

Oh my gosh.

Melanie Hoffert:

Great question.

Rammy Mohamed:

I'm a Saint Paul girl. Yeah. I am. Some of my favorite things in Saint Paul? Oh, other than... Okay. First, I love the Randall neighborhood, so I like to try all the restaurants there. Revival is one of my favorites.

Nadege Souvenir:

Okay. All right.

Rammy Mohamed:

So, I go there quite a bit.

Nadege Souvenir:

Nice.

Rammy Mohamed:

And I am a habit walker around on Grand. So, there's an Indian spot over there that I think my sister is sick of. So, anything on Grand really. Salut is one of my favorite also. I go there quite a bit, especially during winter. Yeah. So, I'm always over there.

Nadege Souvenir:

All right. So, if we're looking for something to do, we hang out on Grand and we'll see you eventually.

Rammy Mohamed:

You probably will see me there. Yeah.

Melanie Hoffert:

Well, I'm going to see you at your store, because I'm going to walk by and turn and come in, and... Yes.

Rammy Mohamed:

You should come. Yes. Come wave.

Nadege Souvenir:

We're going to get Mel some glitter pants.

Rammy Mohamed:

We should.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh, can we do that?

Rammy Mohamed:

I just sold one. But totally, I can make you one.

Melanie Hoffert:

Okay. Yeah. I think-

Nadege Souvenir:

Okay. Now, this is the 2024 goals.

Rammy Mohamed:

Have Mel in glitter.

Melanie Hoffert:

I can't wait for my glitter pants.

Nadege Souvenir:

But she's going to rock out to maybe the next Facing Race, who knows?

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh, goodness.

Rammy Mohamed:

I know.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh. Oh.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, look at that. All tying the bows together.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yes. Which is incredible, by the way.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, thank you.

Rammy Mohamed:

I was moved.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah. So, glad you were able to join us this year. So, you can share with folks next year and future years, they should come if they have the opportunity to come.

Rammy Mohamed:

Absolutely. My goodness, you would leave from that event... I was so uplifted. It was a rough week and I was so uplifted.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh.

Rammy Mohamed:

You need that sometimes and seeing what folks are doing in different areas and, again, seeing women contributing to our city too... Those women were just incredible. Just incredible. Yeah. I was moved.

Nadege Souvenir:

Yes. Great event.

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. Very empowering.

Melanie Hoffert:

Well, our Facing Race Award recipients always give us a new lens to look at everything through what they're doing and how making pies can be a moment and to change a perspective.

Rammy Mohamed:

Exactly. Yeah.

Melanie Hoffert:

You've done the same for us today, and I really appreciate that. I just-

Rammy Mohamed:

Oh, thank you.

Melanie Hoffert:

No. I'm just really thinking through the lens that we all bring to our work anywhere, making it even more inclusive. And I think the work that you're doing is really an example of that. Appreciate.

Rammy Mohamed:

Oh, thank you. Appreciate that.

Nadege Souvenir:

And this conversation has been... You all can't see, but we've all been grinning from ear to ear during this conversation.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes. We have.

Nadege Souvenir:

So, we have been sort of wrapped in joy, but I would love to close with giving you just a chance to share, these days, what is bringing you joy?

Rammy Mohamed:

All these different documentaries I've been finding-

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, really?

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah. I'm a documentary junkie.

Melanie Hoffert:

Me too.

Nadege Souvenir:

Okay. That's [inaudible 00:39:59].

Rammy Mohamed:

Yeah, documentaries and some ginger tea, that's what I've been doing. I've been just carving a little time for myself just on the couch and just watching documentaries.

Nadege Souvenir:

Oh, I love it. I love it.

Rammy Mohamed:

It's been really good.

Nadege Souvenir:

That sounds perfect.

Rammy Mohamed:

That's, for me, joy.

Nadege Souvenir:

Rammy, thank you so much for joining us today.

Rammy Mohamed:

Thank you. I appreciate you guys for having me.

Melanie Hoffert:

Yes. Wonderful time.

Rammy Mohamed:

I so appreciate you.

Nadege Souvenir:

I love it.

Melanie Hoffert:

Nadege, she's a delight.

Nadege Souvenir:

Right?

Melanie Hoffert:

I mean, she is really, really a delight. And I am going to get those sparkly pants.

Nadege Souvenir:

I mean, you have to now.

Melanie Hoffert:

We have to-

Nadege Souvenir:

We've said it. We've spoken it into existence.

Melanie Hoffert:

No. We have. We need... What do I have to do though?

Nadege Souvenir:

Well, you're going to walk to her studio, and then you're going to talk about it, and you're going to figure it out.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh, goodness. Goodness.

Nadege Souvenir:

I think it'll be great. Just that conversation was so much fun because I think often when people think fashion, they think frivolity. If you say, "I'm into fashion", people kind of... Just fashion.

Melanie Hoffert:

Right.

Nadege Souvenir:

But clearly, it's so much more. It is and can be so much more than that.

Melanie Hoffert:

Clearly. I mean, she uses it as a tool to open people's mind. Even connecting it from the history of Saint Paul to looking at functional clothing, to looking at culturally appropriate and specific clothing and practices, she really showed us how fashion can be so much more than, like you said, people often think...

Nadege Souvenir:

Yeah. I mean, it's the fabric of community.

Melanie Hoffert:

Oh, can we even go on from there? No, we must close.

Nadege Souvenir:

No, I think we got to call it done at this point.

Melanie Hoffert:

All right. All right.

Nadege Souvenir:

Thank you for listening to, I So Appreciate You! You can find us on Facebook at I So Appreciate You podcast and on Instagram @soappreciateyou. We'd also appreciate you taking a moment to write us a review. And if you like our show, be sure to follow I So Appreciate You on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you're listening to us right now.

Have a question or topic suggestion, email us at podcast@spmcf.org. Thank you for listening to I So Appreciate You!