“Region's underlying premise is "The Paradigm is Shifting. "Being thin" as a determinant of beauty is changing. Body shape and proportion, not size, is the focus. Region designs clothing for women who have been neglected by the fashion industry, those individuals who can’t find clothes that combine proper fit, style and quality. Region makes allowances for hips, backside, and thighs. No longer will people blessed with a curvaceous shape be forced to buy clothing that do not fit the way they were meant to.” -regionusa.com

Classic, Afro, Chic, these are the words that Designer Zahiyya Abdul-Karim uses to describe her label Region. Zahiyya knows all about what it's like to do what she loves. At the age of nine she began making doll clothes, and by the age of twelve she was making clothes for herself. The ability to create what she wants with the only restriction being herself is what she says she loves most about owning her own label. The design house of her label “Region” is sketching up some not only beautiful pieces, but also rich in comfort, color and culture, and can fit the curves of curvacious figures beautifully .

Even though Zahiyya was faced with many challenges while starting up her own design house, she stuck through it all to achieve her dreams. Many may overlook many of the factors that relate to the start-up cost of starting your own label she says, suh as fabric, pattern makers and the grader to make the patterns in all of the needed sizes, the cost of cutting, sewing, warehousing, and shipping. She notes that time management is another major balancing act when beginning. “Dividing my time between designing, sewing, promotion and sales among other things takes discipline. Promotion, getting the word out, is something I have started to focus more on. If no one knows about your company, then what is the point.” she advices any aspiring designer to develop a solid and structured business plan. “Have a niche market, find your voice, know who your customer is and learn the business side of fashion. There are a lot of Designer's who are very talented but don't succeed because they don't want to be bothered by the business.”

We asked Zahiyya how she came up with the name of her label. She says: Region is the name of the business. Regionusa.com is the website. I wanted a name that was universal, that crossed all boundaries and that represented us. Region just fit.”

Zahiyya's wedding gowns, designs and textiles have been featured in The New York Times, DNR, Philadelphia Inquire, The City Paper, American Vision and Sew News Magazine. She has won various awards including the National Association of Menswear Buyer's "Excellence in Menswear" and "Best of Show" awards, and "Most Creative Collection" from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.

Region is definitely a label to keep an eye on, as Zahiyya continues to create fresh and culturally sound designs, we are sure to be offered endless amounts to choose from that embellish our bodies and our spirits perfectly!

Visit Region's website at: www.regionusa.com