How Qalbi Came to Life
Qalbi started long before it actually started. It was an idea, a vision—a small spark in my heart when I was a teenager obsessed with Pinterest. I would scroll endlessly, seeing hijabi women styled in the most beautiful outfits. Meanwhile, I was struggling with wearing a full-sleeved inner under my half-sleeved V-neck dress. Yep, it was a task to find something decent. Even when I did find something I liked, there was always a problem: no sleeves, too sheer, too tight, too short, too deep-necked, or even backless. I had to make do, even if it didn’t look nice. But 13-year-old Fatema made herself a promise: “One day, I’ll design clothes as beautiful as the ones I see online—clothes that are modest, stylish, and easy to wear. So that no girl has to compromise the way I did. So she can feel confident and happy in modest clothing.” And that’s how Qalbi was born in my heart.
Taking the First Steps When I finished my fashion studies, I knew exactly what I wanted to do next. I had been sketching and brainstorming designs for years, but it was finally time to bring them to life. Step one was fabric sourcing—and it was harder than I imagined. Coming from a small city meant fewer options, so I explored online suppliers and even considered traveling to textile hubs. I ordered countless fabric and button samples, compared them, and finally found materials that felt right for my first collection. But fabric alone doesn’t make a garment—patterns do. And to bring those patterns to life, I needed a good tailor. Experienced ones were far too expensive for what I wanted Qalbi to be: stylish and pocket-friendly. So, I made a bold decision—I trained one. I taught them patterns, tolerated their mistakes, corrected them a hundred times over, and slowly but surely, we figured it out together.
The First Collection Next came branding and packaging—one of the most fun yet frustrating parts of the journey. (Like the time 300 packaging mailers arrived in the wrong color—they were supposed to be pink!) Finally, with samples approved and packaging ready, I did a little photoshoot with my sisters and best friends. The pictures captured the joy and heart behind Qalbi. When I launched, the love I received was overwhelming. Orders poured in, and I couldn’t believe that a dream I had as a 13-year-old was finally real. Soon after, I participated in an exhibition in Hyderabad, which turned out to be a huge milestone. I sold out completely, and even had more online orders waiting. My followers grew, and for the first time, I felt like Qalbi was building a real community. ⸻ The Challenges Of course, the journey wasn’t always smooth. After the initial hype, sales slowed down. I hit a designer’s block—I wanted to create more inclusive designs based on feedback, but I was overwhelmed. I had to pause, breathe, and remind myself that I couldn’t do everything alone. So, I shifted gears. I experimented with barters, giveaways, and collaborations to keep my audience engaged. I started working with influencers, which not only brought new energy into Qalbi but also introduced me to so many inspiring women who now feel like family.
The Heart of Qalbi Through it all, I’ve been blessed with the support of my sisters, my friends(i have won the lottery here), and most importantly, my Maa. She has been my biggest cheerleader, my rock, and my constant source of encouragement. I truly couldn’t have done this without her. Qalbi is not just clothing—it’s a dream, a promise, and a reflection of my heart. From teenage struggles to late-night sketches, from fabric sourcing to photoshoots with loved ones—every step of this journey carries a piece of me. And this is just the beginning. I have so much more to bring to all my modest girlies who, like me, just wanted clothes that made them feel beautiful without compromise. From my heart to yours, Love, Fatema Founder & Designer at Qalbi
