In a fashion landscape where individuality and heritage often collide, JOSHUA MOHAMED stands as a testament to the power of unity through diversity. Founded by Joshua Fawole and Mohamed Abdourahman in 2020, the brand is a reflection of the founders’ shared belief in challenging the status quo while honoring their distinct cultural and religious backgrounds. Rooted in the intersection of luxury and streetwear, JOSHUA MOHAMED crafts collections that are both timeless and innovative, blending classic silhouettes with contemporary flair. Each piece tells a story—of identity, global citizenship, and the beauty of embracing contrasts.
In this interview, we dive into the philosophy driving JOSHUA MOHAMED, exploring how the founders’ diverse backgrounds influence their designs and how they approach fashion as a medium for self-expression and unity. From their creative process to their future vision, discover how JOSHUA MOHAMED continues to defy convention and create a brand that transcends fashion norms.
Could you describe your backgrounds and early career experiences leading up to the founding of JOSHUA MOHAMED?
Joshua’s journey began in the states, where he was born and raised, but his roots trace back to Nigeria. From an early age, he was captivated by the world of design. Joshua spent countless hours sketching, illustrating, and experimenting with sewing and various materials. These creative skills became a fundamental part of who he is, allowing him to channel his passions into tangible forms of expression. Mohamed’s background is a blend of influences from Djibouti and France, where his fascination with fashion took root at a young age. The dream of having something of his own has been a driving force, providing him with the freedom to take risks, express his creativity, and tell stories that reflect his upbringing.
We met at university in 2016, as we both played on the D1 soccer team. We grew to know each other very well, and connected on our African origins and love for art and fashion. The establishment of JOSHUA MOHAMED has given us the perfect platform to not only express ourselves through our designs but also to create a space where others can relate to our stories and experiences. Our vision aligns perfectly as we both aim to build a community of like-minded individuals who share similar values and ideas.
Together, our diverse backgrounds and shared passion for design and storytelling culminated in the founding of JOSHUA MOHAMED. We wanted to create a brand that not only embodies our individual experiences but also resonates with people around the world, fostering connections and celebrating unity through fashion.
What drove you both to come together and create JOSHUA MOHAMED?
We spent time separately creating and crafting our interests in fashion. The formation of JOSHUA MOHAMED was truly divine timing, as we were both thinking about how we could bring our ideas to life but had not proposed this to one another yet. Once we did, we used that moment to collaborate and drive us forward.
How do your heritage and cultural backgrounds influence the brand’s identity?
When we created the brand, we needed to decide its purpose. After narrowing down on the paths we could take, we ultimately decided for the brand to simply be a reflection of us. We come from different backgrounds, yet share similarities. We decided that blending our similar yet different backgrounds would be special and authentic. Therefore, we’re able to explore different ways to tell our story through our clothing, and when we fuse our views, we’re able to reach a diverse community.
JOSHUA MOHAMED is not only synonymous with our names, but also our beliefs.
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How did you navigate the challenges of building a brand during the pandemic?
As 2020 was mostly spent isolated, we spent time separately creating and crafting campaign ideas, clothing pieces, and advertising materials. Although we were constantly communicating with one another to ensure progress continued, we also worked simultaneously with manufacturers and partners to meet our self-assigned deadlines. During a time that was so unprecedented and uncertain, we harnessed those challenging moments to drive us forward. Most importantly, reverting back to our brand’s purpose gave us direction, as it still does today.
How do you approach the fusion of luxury and streetwear in your collections?
Rather than adhering to current trends, we strive to construct pieces with purpose that fuse luxury and streetwear through the use of classic silhouettes and high quality sustainable fabrics. Approaching design with this philosophy narrows our focus to creating with intent and finding the best ways to construct garments that are timeless.
What measures do you take to ensure high quality and production standards in your garments?
We take several comprehensive measures to ensure high quality and production standards in our garments. First, we source premium materials that are carefully selected, we test each fabric to ensure it meets our standards. This includes working with suppliers who share our commitment to high quality garments. Next, we have an ethical production process as we partner with manufacturers that adhere to ethical labor practices and environmental sustainability. Lastly, our garments are constructed by skilled craftsmen who have extensive experience in their field. We emphasize the importance of craftsmanship and attention to detail in every piece we create. No piece is released or shared with our audience, until it is perfected. This ensures that every piece of clothing we produce reflects our dedication to quality and excellence.
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Can you provide insights into your creative process, from the initial concept to the final product?
The initial concept starts when we solidify the garment piece we want to create and the theme we’d like that piece to represent. When designing, it is important for us to stay true to our brand identity and use elements from our core values in the process. Once our creative ideas are drawn out and designed, we determine the best combination of artwork, fabric, and garment finishes which together create the end product we envisioned based on the overarching theme of the collection. When all details are confirmed, we move into a sampling stage where we make adjustments, if necessary, to create the final product.
What does the future hold for JOSHUA MOHAMED, and how do you plan to evolve the brand while remaining true to its core values?
As we look ahead, we want to establish a global presence in world renowned retailers that align with our brand, and open a flagship store in New York City. In a world that often feels divided, we are dedicated to creating a positive impact by hosting community events and sponsoring projects that give back to those in need, emphasizing unity as one of our most important core values. These initiatives will be designed to bring people together, encourage collaboration, and celebrate our shared humanity.
As we evolve the brand, we will remain true to our core values by ensuring that every step we take reflects our commitment to unity, inclusivity, and social responsibility.
Discover JOSHUA MOHAMED’s latest collections at joshuamohamed.com and follow them on Instagram @joshuamohamedclo.
Presented by APG
