Who is the Hanifa bride? A look inside Hanifa’s highly anticipated bridal debut

TheGrio was invited to step into Hanifa’s big day as the celeb-favorite label debuted its first bridal collection.

Earlier this month, Hanifa renewed its vow to innovate the fashion world, this time saying “I do” to bridal fashion. Just as Anifa Mvuemba trailblazed her way into the industry as a self-taught designer, bringing innovation and inclusivity to the forefront of fashion, the Hanifa founder enters the bridal space on a mission to make it accessible.

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theGrio.com — Who is the Hanifa bride? A look inside Hanifa’s highly anticipated bridal debut. (Photo courtesy of Hanifa)

“When you see those beautiful shows, it’s hard to kind of see yourself in those pieces because it’s almost like you don’t have access to it,” Mvuemba shared moments before the show. “So for [Hanifa Bridal], when see these gowns come down the runway, I want them to see themselves and [know] that it will be accessible to them.”

With the Salamander Resorts’ bucolic scenery in the background, Hanifa made its runway debut in the bridal fashion world. However, beyond showcasing the beauty of its designs on the catwalk, Hanifa created its very own ceremony, with theGrio as part of its extensive guest list.

“I just feel like it’s like a new era,” the Hanifa founder explained. “I’ve studied a lot. So just trying to see like, okay, if this is how it is, this is how we gon’ do it.”

Creating a culturally conscious space

True to the personality of her eponymous ready-to-wear brand, the Hanifa Bridal show was intentionally and stylishly centered in Blackness. From the luxe venue to the wine served at the event, all the key elements in bringing the show to life were Black women-led.

Salamander Resorts and Spa, owned by BET co-founder Sheila Johnson, is a top-rated travel destination and wedding venue in the DMV area (an acronym referring to the triad of Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia). In addition to offering its guests a unique Black-owned luxury experience, the Salamander Resort sparked nostalgia in Mvuemba. The Hanifa founder hails from D.C. and used to live near a Mandarin hotel in the city. One day, she recalled seeing the sign being taken down and learning the property had been sold to a Black woman. That woman was Johnson, who Mvuemba finally had the pleasure of meeting on the day of the show. Just as the designer remembers feeling inspired by Johnson, attendees echoed her feelings about the space.

“Every time I come to the Salamander, I just feel empowered,” said “Real Housewives of Potomac” star Charrisse Jackson Jordan. “It’s just an awesome feeling.”

Similarly, as a D.C. native, it was important for Mvuemba to amplify the wedding culture and industry talent that lives within the area. Accordingly, she tapped Melissa Williams, CEO and owner of B Astonished Events, a D.C.-based luxury destination wedding planning and design company, to curate the Hanifa Bridal show.

“I wanted to make sure that we did have a wedding planner because the DMV is also really known for wedding culture, and a lot of great vendors come from this area,” said Mvuemba, explaining her decision to collaborate with the wedding company. “So, I wanted to give that wedding experience, and I was like, ‘Okay, we need the best wedding planner we can get.’”

From drinks by the McBride Sisters Wine Company to the staff’s matching pink Hanifa jumpsuits to a Hanifa-monogrammed dance floor, walking into the event’s cocktail hour and after-party felt like walking into a wedding reception. Understanding that the wedding industry strives on word-of-mouth recommendations, the founder was very intentional about inviting the wedding industry, including bridal planners, makeup artists, hair stylists, and longtime supporters of Hanifa like Karen Huger of “RHoP” fame, “Love is Blind” star Lauren Speed-Hamilton and other former clients.

“I think it really speaks to who the Hanifa woman is, who I am […] it’s all about intent,” said Mvuemba about curating the space, event, and guest list. “I don’t do anything that I don’t want to do, that doesn’t make sense for my business, and that my customer can’t resonate with.”

The beauty behind the glam

In addition to helping create the ambiance, Black women-led brands assisted in creating the models’ runway looks. Collaborating with Mielle Organics and Fashion Fair for hair and makeup, respectively, Mvuemba opted for simple, classic beauty for her models.

“When it comes to hair and makeup, I didn’t want to take away from the gowns [by] doing too much. It was very simple,” she explained.

“Usually, wedding makeup is overstated,” added Khalia Braxton, Fashion Fair’s director of brand management. “And in this go-round, Anifa was just like, ‘I just want to focus on the beauty of the moment.’”

Though the runway consisted of “no makeup” makeup looks, Braxton explained that makeup artists “took the time to make every girl her most beautiful self,” using the legacy brand’s products to amplify their natural beauty.

A collection created for brides by a bride-to-be

For Mvuemba, a fiancée herself, her own experience informed a collection that is a one-stop shop for any bride. Imagining more than just a bride’s strides down the aisle, the designer created an assortment that could be worn for engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette festivities, wedding receptions, and honeymoons.

“I really wanted this lineup to be very unique to Hanifa,” Mvuemba said. “I want it to be like when you see [the dresses], you’re like, ‘yeah, that’s a Hanifa bride. That actually makes sense and looks like what Hanifa would do if they were designing gowns.’”

Wanting brides to feel their best, the designer explained that every piece is connected to each other to create a beautiful collection of distinct pieces. A culmination of traditional bridal designs, current trends, and signature Hanifa details, the collection’s diversity proves every bride can be a Hanifa bride.

“The Hanifa bride is drawn to timeless and minimalist design aesthetics,” said Mvuemba when asked to describe the Hanifa bride. “She embodies someone who admires the brand’s ability to create simple yet sophisticated wedding dresses, with attention to timeless silhouettes and impeccable tailoring. She appreciates the focus on quality and craftsmanship and desires a wedding dress that reflects the modern bride.”

Leading up to the collection’s official launch on Oct. 27, brides can join the Hanifa Bridal waitlist to receive exclusive announcements at Hanifa.co.