Ibtihaj -Amatul Wadud

Ippy’s Islamic Fashions
Springfield, Massachusetts

“Running my business has taught me organization skills, as well as dedication to my business and to my clients.”

When Ibtihaj (Ippy) was ten, her mother bought her a sewing machine. At first, the young girl didn’t like sewing, but her mom kept after her, and eventually she got the hang of it. Because there are no apparel stores appropriate for Muslim females in Massachusetts, Ippy began sewing her own clothes. In 2005, Ippy took a NFTE class at Springfield Technical Community College, and turned a hobby into a business. She now gets orders from women in several states. Ippy, who was home-schooled, is currently finishing a correspondence program that will allow her to get her high school diploma.