OUR STORY
Khanum’s is not just a clothing brand, it’s a brand that aims to celebrate and empower women through clothing and community. This can be seen from the very meaning of the name ‘Khanum’ which holds strong connotations to women of class, honour, high ranks and social status.
At Khanum’s, we consider our Founder, Rokeya Khanum a true testament of female empowerment through her eponymous brand. She's an example of kindness, genourosity, fairness and dedication.
Why? She was a young girl from a predominantly Bangladeshi, working class community in East London. Her parents were Bangladeshi immigrants who migrated to UK in the late 70's and spent their lives working in clothing factories as tailors. She was exposed tp the garment making industry throughout her life.
She later became a young mum, who had to move from hostel to hostel, facing financial difficulties which led her struggling to make ends meet. Despite her circumstances, she was determined to oppose stigmas against her young teen mum status.
How? She completed her Law degrees and pursued the corporate world with ambition and hunger to create stability for her son. Fast forward to today? Rokeya is now the Founder of Khanum’s, a clothing business that not only produces beautiful garments, but one that gives back to the Bangladeshi community by acting as an Ambassador of The Bangladesh Education Trust. The trust aims to eradicate child labour in Bangladesh. Rokeya helps fundraise as well as donating to the trust to enable young children to access to education.
Khanum's is a brand with great achievements and strong milestones selling luxury womenswear worldwide, stocked with prestigious luxury retailers and featured in the likes of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Tatler to name a few and adored by A List celebrities. But its greatest achievements would be the efforts it carries behind the scenes to empower women.
Through an act of defiance, consistent relentlessness, unwavering focus and a clear vision, Rokeya has undoubtedly shattered countless glass ceilings and proven anything is possible regardless of your background or circumstances. She's a great inspiration for many other ethnic minority women that despite things being impossible, they can be possible.