Suma Designs; A Labor of True Love

Words by Imthishal

One could say this local apparel and clothing brand is a beacon of elegance and individuality in the world of wedding attire. Nestled in the heart of our community, this independent label is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and personalized service. With a passion for creating timeless pieces that captures the very unique essence of each bride, Suma Designs offers a diverse range of wedding dresses, from traditional and classic interpretations to the more modern, all meticulously crafted with an intense attention to detail.

Suma Muneer; the namesake to Suma Designs, lives by certain laws. One of which is embracing the importance of harvesting an intimate atmosphere, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration between her and the bride-to-be. Ensuring that every gown embodies the dreams and desires of those who wear them.

The passion for clothing and fashion had always been ingrained in her. Like many Maldivian households Suma grew up to the sound of sewing machines, and days spent bunking school to go fabric shopping with her mother. Hours spent touching and understanding fabric from a young age, it is only natural that a spark was ignited.

After pursing a bachelor’s degree in marketing her marketing journey eventually led her to Villa Hakatha, where she works as the Director of Marketing and Communications. With years worth of experience in the field of marketing, fashion was oceans away but yet always so near to her. She knew for certain that creating her very own pieces were in the cards, all she had to do was wait patiently for the right time to cross that road. Come 2022 Suma decided to make her pave her own path, and jaywalk through every social norm that told her otherwise.

Suma elaborates; “It’s true, there will never be a right time. Stop waiting and start doing”

She initiates the process by inquiring about the bride’s personal inspirations and preferences, allowing Suma to gain insight into their actual desires. Subsequently, she shares her own ideas and suggestions, working hand in hand towards reaching a final satisfactory conclusion. To visualize the concepts, a mannequin is brought forth during almost all consultations, allowing Suma to drape fabrics right then and there, enabling the bride-to-be to envision the potential appearance of their wedding dress in real-time. In simple terms she highlights; “The process is more like showing (clients) a catalog but on a mannequin”.

Though a consultation typically spans 2 to 3 hours, this is the very essence of its charm. Despite its extended timeframe, this method resonates deeply with clients, as it grants them an immersive experience with the product. This level of involvement enables them to actively participate in the creation of a dress that will grace one of the most significant days of their lives, ensuring utmost satisfaction with the end result.

Furthermore, Suma underlines that while entrepreneurship may seem appealing from afar, it entails significant sacrifices. From persuading the dean of Polytechnic College to allow her to enroll mid-semester to balancing the demands of studying Tailoring and Fashion Design alongside a full-time job, her journey reflects the challenges inherent in pursuing one’s dreams. Walking evidence that with a little bit of faith dreams do come true

Suma is acutely aware of the challenges associated with pursuing artistic endeavors in the Maldives. Given her background in marketing, she recognizes the significance of alliances and partnership. From the creation of her logo to the photographs and models featured in her content, she exclusively utilizes local talent. Even when sourcing original audio for a reel, she ensures it originates locally. Suma engages in numerous collaborations with photographers, makeup artists, and upcoming models, ensuring fair compensation for their contributions, regardless of the scale of their involvement.

She comprehends and brings to light the necessity of cooperative-working, especially in the Maldives, where financial stability within the arts remains elusive for many, she advocates for collective efforts among artists to navigate these hurdles and foster a supportive ecosystem, where working together, just might fix the issues faced by local artists.

Suma Designs has yet to ride many more waves, eagerly waiting to stir up a movement of artists, with much more in the works and a fist full of faith Suma emphasizes; “I want people to know that even if you don’t see a path, there is always a way to create your own opportunities, your own path”.