Our Story
I'm the owner of Valabasas, a men's fashion brand that I founded with the goal of inspiring others to challenge the status quo. Valabasas is not just a brand, but a symbol of hard work, dedication, and excellence. Our mission is to inspire people to believe in themselves and reach for their highest aspirations.
The name Valabasas is derived from two words: "V" which stands for Five, representing my five brothers, and "Alabasas," which means clothing in Arabic. For me, Valabasas represents loyalty and brotherhood, which were central to our family growing up. My parents and brothers always supported me and pushed me to work hard, and it's because of them that I'm where I am today.
My journey in the fashion industry has been one of ups and downs, but I never lost sight of my vision to innovate and provide something new to consumers. From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted to create a product that would inspire and empower people. My wife, who has always been my biggest supporter, encouraged me to pursue my passion and take risks.
My path to success has not been a straightforward one. In fact, I dropped out of high school to help my brother in my family business. It was a difficult decision, but I knew that I needed to focus on my future. I started working in retail, and it was there that my love for fashion began to grow. I learned the ins and outs of the industry, and I knew that I wanted to do something different.
Starting Valabasas was a daunting task, but I was determined to make it work. I knew that I had to rely on myself and my own hard work to bring my vision to life. With the support of my family, especially my wife, I dove headfirst into the world of fashion design.
Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do at Valabasas. We strive to create products that are not only stylish but also meaningful. Our brand is built on the simple idea that if five brothers from Memphis can achieve their dreams through hard work and determination, then anyone can. That's why every pair of Valabasas jeans comes with inspiring quotes meant to motivate and empower our customers.
Our journey has not been without its challenges. When I first started Valabasas, I invested $32,000 in a manufacturer in Los Angeles, only to lose everything. It was a tough blow, but I learned from my mistake and decided to rely less on others and more on my own dedication and hard work. My brother and I even traveled to China to find the right manufacturer, getting lost for weeks and coming back empty-handed. But we never gave up, and after three more passport stamps and a year of hard work, we finally had our first sample in hand.
Throughout our journey, we've learned that failure is a natural part of the process. It's through our failures that we've grown and succeeded. As a father of three, I encourage my kids to embrace their failures and learn from them. In the words of a wise man, "It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."
For us, Valabasas is more than just denim. It's a way of inspiring others to be their best selves and reach for the stars. To be inspired is great, but to inspire others is an honor. With the support of my family and the determination to innovate and inspire, I'm excited to see where Valabasas will go next.
A.Ibrahim
Valabasas-Worn to inspire.