In this episode, we're excited to welcome Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka — the mother and daughter design duo behind House of Aama. Established in 2015 and manufactured in Los Angeles, House of Aama designs timeless pieces infused with heritage, history and storytelling. House of Aama is also the 2021 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist.

Rebecca serves as Director of Business and Legal Affairs and Akua is House of Aama’s Creative Director. It's not every day that an independent brand has in-house legal counsel from day one. Discover how having legal expertise early-on has shaped House of Aama’s journey and witness their real-time strategies for navigating today's economic and political uncertainties. And while currently manufacturing in Los Angeles, co-founders Rebecca and Akua share insights on how President Trump's sweeping tariffs could affect sourcing costs, especially for independent brands. As Rebecca noted on the podcast, “The fashion business is not U.S.-based. The fashion business is really based from international sources.”

We also explored crucial labor questions: While garment worker protections receive attention, what about supporting fashion employers who create these jobs? How can state and local governments help to make it easier for brands and designers to manufacture locally? Tune in for this timely conversation at the intersection of fashion law, business and policy.

Connect with House of Aama: Instagram and Website

Connect with Kenya: LinkedIn and Instagram

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