Women from Somalia have taken an ever so small leap into the labor market. Halimo Ali wants to continue that trend. She started sewing to help the most vulnerable get a job.
The curtain at the back of the store is pulled aside. Between sewing machines and fabric rolls, a model wearing a long party dress in red and ocher walks forward. Halimo Ali made the dress. It’s not quite done. She straightens her back. Inserts some needles. Attaches a woven ribbon that goes over the bust and shoulders.
Halimo Ali (51) is both a designer, educated from Esmod in Oslo, and a social entrepreneur. In August last year, she opened Halimo & Co. in a bright shop in Greenland in Oslo. Here, dresses for parties and weddings are sewn, inspired by traditional Somali patterns and western fashion. They also perform repairs, take on assignments.
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