Today we’d like to introduce you to Aliyah Day.
Hi Aliyah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am from Arlington, TX (shoutout to the AGG), and I started designing really at the age of 6. My mom noticed I was trying to make my Bratz Dolls outfits from face rags and paper, so she taught me how to sew by hand to be able to put the pieces together. From there, I went full force into sketching and making doll clothes. Once I graduated high school, I went to Houston to attend fashion school and ended up pregnant and had to return home, not realizing that my daughter was the very motivation I needed to change the industry. After having her in 2016 I started at Wade College and received my Associate’s degree in fashion design. Thinking that was enough, I opened my fashion brand JOURALI and started making customs for clients, doing photoshoots with local celebs, and just really trying to find my place in the industry.
In 2019, I even went to NYFW with Society and showcased my “Redemption Collection”. At the moment I felt fulfilled but shortly after, I wasn’t selling anything and honestly didn’t truly know what I was doing. Even though I have a degree, the Fashion world is so much more than textbooks make it seem. After praying and soul searching I decided to go back to school and stop JOURALI, so I could learn the ropes. Luckily, I ended up becoming an intern and design assistant for Project Runway Venny Etienne of Levenity. Might as well learn firsthand while attending school right? Little did I know this exchange would change my life forever. On the first day of work, he told me to sign a nondisclosure and he had big news for me. In my head, I’m like what could this possibly be since we are in Texas. Once I signed the disclosure, he explained that we would be making a custom dress for Beyonce! AHHHHHH, I think I fell to the ground and cried, because who really gets that opportunity, especially at the age of 22. After the dramatics, we ended up creating a Dress in 48 hrs and shipped it directly to her stylist. After that, we went on to creating looks for Niecy Nash, and a collection for Essence Magazine NYFW in 2020.
With everything going in the right direction, I graduated from college again with my bachelor’s in 2021. During my last few weeks of school, God told me that I was going to go to NYC. At first, I didn’t believe it because I still had my daughter, no job opportunities and was working for Amazon as Delivery Driver. After weeks of this overwhelming feeling, I decided to trust God and try. I started packing up my house in April of 2021 and didn’t tell anyone. I started applying for jobs in NYC (which I had to fly in for interviews frequently), and quit my job at Amazon. After graduation, I started telling close friends about my plan. I didn’t know when I was going to move but I just listened to God and kept preparing.
In July, finally, God told me to buy a plane ticket. I immediately began to panic, I only had $150 to my name no job, no place to live and no plan. I asked others what I should do and all I received was negative feedback to not go. But something inside me was burning, and told me to trust the feeling. Coincidentally enough, I checked for flights and the plane ticket was exactly $150. Astonished, I booked the ticket and asked my parents if my daughter could stay with them for 3 months just to see if this was really God and see what I could do. They agreed, and I packed the rest of my house up. 2 days before I left for NY, I woke up crying because I still had no place to stay, no money, and no job. How could this be God if he hasn’t provided? Literally, a couple of minutes later I opened my bank account and found $2000 was deposited into my account. It never said where it came from and most people didn’t know I was leaving. I called all of my family asking if it was them and it wasn’t. I took that as THE SIGN from God to go. I was able to buy my daughter clothes and everything she needed to stay with my parents and I was able to book an Airbnb for a month to live in.
Once I got to NYC, my whole life changed. With a degree, sewing skills and passion I started reapplying to jobs in search of the one! Within 5 days of me being there, I ended up getting a Designer Job and started working immediately. During that time I met celebrity Stylist Aaron Hawkins and we quickly hit it off and became friends. We started tag-teaming with celeb clients and making custom looks. Fast forward 11 months later, I am currently the Assistant Women’s Dress Designer for The Kasper Group (Macy’s), and I also still create Customs/ Tailoring for celebs while living in New York. The moral of the story, trust your gut and trust your faith. Failure doesn’t mean stopping, it’s really about shifting your perspective and becoming the best version of yourself. It won’t always make sense but if it’s for you, it will all work out in the end.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not lol. Going to NYC was magical but actually living and surviving is a completely different thing. First, when I got to NYC I lived in the Dominican hood (because the Airbnb pics were nice) and didn’t know anything about NYC. After a month I had to find a new Airbnb because you can only stay 1 month at a time. I ended up living in a hotel for 3 weeks, but quickly realized it was way too expensive to live. Finally, I got enough courage to ask one of my co-workers could I live with her (I didn’t even know her really) and she allowed me to live on her couch for a month. During this time I was able to stack money and get my apartment in Brooklyn. Thankfully my daughter was in Texas so I only had to worry about myself. But there were days when all I ate was TV dinners, and PBJ sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But I knew that I could really make it if I kept going.
The second struggle would be the mental health of being alone in a city you know nothing about. I didn’t have anyone to show me the ropes. So there was a lot of trial and error to everything I did. I also missed my daughter, family and friends and would cry myself to sleep most nights which caused me to go into depression spells and anxiety attacks. It was hard! But every day I had to get up, dust myself off and keep trying until I made my dreams come true. Plus the people and the environment are not friendly so there were a lot of times when I had to figure things out and pray it would work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Women’s Dress Designer. I create gowns, dresses, costumes really anything that my clients are interested in. I also do tailoring to celebs’ gowns and looks for special events. My latest alteration client was Miss NYC Andrea and I tailored her gown for the MET GALA in May. I am most known for my contributions to the Beyonce Dress with Venny Etienne. What really sets me apart from others is my drive and work ethic. I never wanted the shortcut route. I want to be filled with knowledge and learn how to do things the old-school way. There are not a lot of designers who know how to make patterns, sew, sketch and tailor… I rather take my time and learn before rushing into the spotlight.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m really into The Know For Sure podcast right now!! I love how they get into real women’s issues and share different perspectives. But what really has shaped me was watching sermons from Transformation Church. You can love God and still be dope and that’s what really is motivating. It’s okay to be different!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @fashionmeali
- TikTok: @fashionmeali
