Today we’d like to introduce you to Meriam Chedli.
Hi Meriam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Meriam, the creative director and founder of Bahaari, a local fine collection of handbags and fashion accessories made out of rich African wax prints in small batches in Orlando. Bahaari is a globally inspired lifestyle brand celebrating the beauty that surrounds us, culture and ‘joie de vivre’. Thanks to my parents who are from Tunisia, in Northern Africa, I have a multicultural background. I was actually born and raised in the most beautiful place on earth, in the South Kivu Region of Democratic Republic of Congo. My story started in the heart of Africa, in a small town called Bukavu, where mother earth showcases her most breathtaking elements! I’ve always had the chance to live and evolve in different cultures and I consider myself privileged to have been raised in this type of environment where diversity, curiosity and tolerance were our values. It influenced the way I live and the choices I made my entire life. It was in my time as a child in central Africa that my love for bold and vivid colors started. Surrounded by a unique nature, I remember having my dresses floating in the rhythm of the breeze from Lake Kivu, amongst the most beautiful and colorful roses and dahlias, my mom’s favorites.
Early on, I learned from my mother the beauty and the powerful messages behind the fascinating textile worn with pride and elegance by women around me, called African wax print. Being a daughter of Africa with influence of Mediterranean and North African culture, I grew up with the love for unique and rich textiles with bold and dainty prints along with a culture and art of embroideries. After leaving Africa because of the civil war, my family and I started a new chapter of life in Europe where I got my MBA.
Afterwards, I started a successful career in public relations and in the European public administration in various positions from international relations to career and talent management. Even while working in this environment, I continued being drawn to my African heritage and the vibrance and joy the African Wax prints brought to me. As life is full of surprises, I’ve recently moved to United States. It’s then that I finally decided to bring to life a project that I’ve always had in my mind: a distinctive collection of fine handbags and lifestyle accessories inspired by my own experiences and rich ideas I’ve been collecting throughout the years. In 2018, I’ve launched Bahaari, my new chapter of life here in Orlando.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When my husband and I decided to move to the USA, I felt the need to start something different in my life. I really needed to create something for myself but also for other women, raised in multi-cultural environments, searching our own voice, the expression of our identities. I knew it was my calling and I started questioning myself on how to start this project! So, just to put everything back in the context of that period of time, I was about to complete a 180 degree change of career paths. I was about to start all over, with a new life in a foreign country, launching a business, Bahaari. These were gigantic challenges and it hasn’t been always easy and smooth! Through my life experiences, I’ve always learned to stay humble and curious but most of all cultivate resilience.
Starting a business is a huge leap of faith, a labor of love but also a mission, a purpose we want to share with people. Launching Bahaari, I found myself challenged by different aspects of this new adventure… Was I going to find the good business model? Could starting a hand-crafted and slow fashion brand be sustainable? How to source the highest quality of fabrics from overseas and be able to please the local market in terms of designs and colors? When you are an only person behind a business, it takes a lot of courage, dedication, passion but also determination to make it happen.
Starting this type of venture in a new country where you don’t know anyone, still adapting to the local culture and market, has been an incredible journey full of wisdom, patience and trials and errors. I started building this life adventure from the ground up, with no backgrounds or system in this new country. However, when I think back, I wouldn’t want it any other way! The Bahaari journey has only be a path for growth, discoveries about myself and others but most of all the ability to be creative and becoming comfortable pivoting with agility in situations that don’t always turn out the way you envisioned. Through Bahaari, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of an amazing local community of creative, business owners and most of all, meet women that move the needle in the business world!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Bahaari Collection is a globally inspired fashion and lifestyle brand for you and your home. We offer distinctive small-batch collections of handbags, clutches, fashion accessories, jewelry and we recently launched a new line of duster kimonos. We also offer a joyful and colorful collection of home goods and original pieces that bring ‘joie de vivre’. All our pieces are carefully hand-crafted with vibrant and colorful African wax prints. We are inspired by the slow fashion movement. I believe true quality takes time. All pieces are handmade with Dutch wax prints which is the highest quality of African wax prints that I source in limited quantity. I deeply value each product I release, which is why my handbags and accessories are limited editions. I design and handcraft all collections in my studio in Orlando. All our designs are bold and elegant handmade luxury statement pieces that are personal adornments for a lifetime. When I design I always integrate three elements: high quality and durability of the material sourced a beautiful versatility and functionality to complement your style. We create for the modern woman and we want her to feel empowered to embrace her inner strength, express her vibrant self and cultivate her ambitions through a fine line of distinctive accessories.
I take pride in designing and hand-crafting our line. Working with such textile is a celebration of universality, culture and identity. But most of all, the vibrant colors of the African wax print is a women affair, a real empowerment tool for women where each print is a story, a symbolism shared by many, a code of communication. I always say the African wax print evolves with our society and reinvents itself through time. All the handbags and accessories are definitely a beautiful way to express yourself and add joy to your everyday life! This passion for cultures and global heritage has become the story of Bahaari. My hope is that you feel that same connection – that warmth of diversity – and that these one-of-a-kind pieces will complement your own story and style. You can discover the Bahaari collection on www.Bahaari.com and follow our journey on instagram.com/bahaari_ea
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I have indeed learned a lot during this Covid-19 crisis, both at a personal and professional level. Being able to stay open and adapt to situations that were unthinkable only months before. I’ve had to come up with new ideas and ways to stay in touch with my customers and be able to serve them intentionally. Pivoting the business has definitely changed the way I do business today. When the pandemic happened, I had to think on how to continue serving my customers but also how I could help and give back to the community. In Orlando, Bahaari was among the first brands to start making masks and donating to the healthcare workers and people in need.
This has definitely been a defining moment in the business journey, I’ve been contacted by many people outside of Florida and the online side of the business really took a different dimension. I’ve always been very close to my customers and the Bahaari local community but these events have definitely reinforced that sense of community, and it works great for the business I’m creating. Also, I realize how going back to the simple things that make us truly happy has to be a more central part of our routine, and how important it is to live more consciously in the environment and with the people of our community. The past year has definitely brought me wisdom and gratitude.
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@bahaari.com
- Website: www.Bahaari.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/bahaari_ea
- Facebook: Facebook.com/bahaari.ea
Image Credits
Photo 1&2 by Taylor H. Photo 3-8 by Disruptive Studio Models: Heather K. , Rachel D. Makeup Artist: Lynne Schaffer
