AQILA “MIMI” BENJAMIN

Written By Queen Size Magazine

FROM DARKNESS TO DAZZLE: HOW ROOTS OF FATIMA CROWNED A NEW BEGINNING

In a world saturated with trends, Roots Of Fatima offers something deeper: a story of resilience, cultural pride, and the transformative power of creation. More than just a fashion brand, it's a testament to the healing spirit, born from the depths of personal struggle and blossoming into a beacon of bold, authentic self-expression.

 

For Aquila "Mimi" Benjamin, the lead designer behind Roots Of Fatima, the journey began in the throes of a dark depression. "I did not want to go on. I wanted the pain to end," she confesses. But in a moment of 3 AM inspiration, a glimpse of a fascinator sparked a creative fire. Fueled by curiosity and a desperate need for focus, Mimi began crafting her own. Hours melted away, replaced by the rising sun and a profound sense of accomplishment she hadn't felt in ages. That night, Roots Of Fatima was conceived, a brand that would literally save her life.

 

Today, Roots Of Fatima reflects the rich tapestry of Black culture, infused with iconic and timeless fashion sensibilities. The brand's mission is to offer an embodied experience, where creativity adorns the cultural muse. Tracing its roots to the matriarchal influences of Fatima, Mimi's mother, the brand embodies the power and strength passed down through generations. Inspired by her mother's teachings, Mimi crafts pieces that dare you to be bold, fearless, and authentic, each design a powerful statement of self-worth.

 

Beyond individual pieces, Roots Of Fatima delivers an embodied experience of cultural depth and daring beauty through fashion shows and custom collections. Committed to sustainability, the brand specializes in upcycled fashion, transforming existing garments into unique and stylish creations. However, it's the brand's signature millinery and bold headwear that truly capture the essence of Roots Of Fatima. Mimi creates custom crowns, not just as accessories, but as powerful reminders to wearers of their inherent worth and divine presence.

 

The brand's impact has resonated with a diverse audience, gracing the heads of notable figures like Queen Latifah, Tazah the Model, and being featured in music videos by Kayne the Lovechild and Black Assets. Even Netflix has embraced the brand's unique aesthetic, showcasing Roots Of Fatima creations.

 

From the runways of Africa Fashion Week in London and Seattle, to the stages of Noir Fashion Week and Harlem Fashion Week during NYFW, Roots Of Fatima continues to captivate and inspire. With upcoming showcases at African Fashion Week Nigeria, the brand is poised to further amplify its message of resilience, empowerment, and the enduring power of creativity.

Roots Of Fatima is more than just a fashion brand; it's a testament to the strength within us all to transform pain into purpose, and darkness into dazzling beauty. It's a reminder that even in our most challenging moments, we possess the power to create, to heal, and to crown ourselves with the inherent worth we often forget we possess.

 

QSM: Ok madam fashion designer!!!! That’s quite the title! Has it always felt natural, or was it something you had to grow into embracing?

Mimi: Dare I say… no, it did not feel natural at first. Honestly, I was more comfortable calling myself a creator or even a crafter. For a long time, I didn’t feel like I’d earned the right to be called a designer. And if this is a safe space—cool, safe space—it’s because I genuinely didn’t feel worthy of the title. I hadn’t gone to school for it, hadn’t been doing it “long enough,” and people would hit me with those backhanded compliments like, “Oh, that’s cute, your lil craft” or “your lil hats.” That word “lil” made me feel small. It made me question myself.

I finally started embracing the title when I realized that what I am doing is designing—whether I’ve been doing it for a year or ten, whether I’m making full garments or just pieces, I’m creating looks that people wear. And that’s what a designer does. It took a lot of unlearning, letting go of comparison, and building up my own confidence to truly own that title.

 

QSM: Thinking back, what first sparked that fire in you to explore fashion design? What was that initial step you took to start bringing your own pieces to life?

Mimi: So, I’ve told this story before, and it’s on my website and in interviews, but I’ll share it again. When I moved from the D.C. area to North Carolina, I went through something really traumatic that broke me down—my spirit, my faith in people, humanity, all of it. I fell into a deep depression, and truthfully, I didn’t want to live anymore.

One night around 3 a.m., I was up crying and scrolling on social media when I saw someone wearing a headpiece. And I just said to myself, “Wow, that’s beautiful. I wonder how you make that?” I stayed up the rest of the night, grabbed whatever materials I had at home, and tried to make one. That was the first time in a long time that my hands stopped shaking. It gave me something to focus on. I couldn’t believe I had made it with so little, but it lit something in me.

And while that was my first creative spark, I’ve always had a love for fashion. I worked in retail for 18+ years styling, learning fabrics, merchandising. That experience definitely laid the foundation. But that night? That was the night it shifted from fashion interest to fashion as healing.

QSM: Talk to me about the very first garment that you made. I can barely sew a button; Where did you find the patience – and the sheer will – to teach yourself how to sew entire garments?

Mimi: Sewing was something I always wanted to learn, even just basic stitching or mending holes. But more than that, I’ve always been into upcycling, taking something old and flipping it into something brand new. Like, turn a blanket into a bomber jacket, a curtain into a skirt, or an old blazer into a cape. I love that stuff!

What really pushed me to start sewing full garments was needing full looks for my shows. I was showcasing my headpieces, but sometimes the models wore things that didn’t really bring the vision together. I realized I needed more control over the full aesthetic. So I said, “Let me stop waiting for someone to help me and just figure this out myself.” I went to YouTube University, got myself a sewing machine—randomly one day in August, I woke up and texted my sister like, “I’m going to buy a sewing machine.” And I did!

Next thing you know, I had a couple of pieces in Harlem Fashion Week during NYFW. They weren’t perfect, but they were mine. Then I made more pieces for London Fashion Week, and that’s when it clicked—I loved bringing my vision to life from headpiece to heel.

And shoutout to the designers that keep me inspired—John Marc by Zac, PAINT by Shawn Denise, Designer DeAngelo, Vintage Thrivals by Rich Rocket, A Plus LA by Arri Burris, Mylk and Honey by Tiffany Rice, Fat Meats Fashion by Katherine Hamilton, Picaso Designz by Carlton Marshall and A Goddess Experience by Lola Pierre. Y’all are nasty with those machines and custom looks—and your work continues to inspire me to level up and push my creativity every single time.

QSM: Headpieces were your starting point, which is so cool! And I know this because I have seen them. I have watched you perfect those pieces, and they are amazing! What was it about headpieces that first grabbed your attention and made you want to create them?

Mimi: Thank you so much! It really started with me always wanting to wear a cute hair accessory—whether it was a hat, a beret (which I now make myself, by the way!), or something extra. I’ve always loved accessories.

To me, a headpiece elevates everything. You could have on a simple black dress or a muted outfit, but then you throw on a bomb-ass headpiece and it takes your whole look, your whole energy, to another level. It introduces your creativity before you even say a word. I love that.

I’m big on helping people stand out in rooms that are dull and dim. Accessories, especially headpieces, bring things together in a powerful, bold way. They turn “cute” into unforgettable.

QSM: Is Roots of Fatima primarily focused on plus-size fashion, or is inclusivity across all sizes a core part of your vision?

Mimi: I love this question. Roots of Fatima is all about size inclusivity and gender freedom. Me being a fat, Black, lesbian woman—I know what it’s like to be judged for how I look, what I wear, how I move. I want people to live free.

There are no limits here. No size restrictions. No gender boxes. No racial or cultural barriers. I’ve created custom pieces for folks from size 0 to size 28. Male, female, nonbinary—if you want to wear it, baby, it’s for you. Roots of Fatima is for everybody.

QSM: We’ve connected on a deeper level, and I admire your openness about mental health. I’m especially drawn to something you said: that creating has literally saved your life. Can you delve a little deeper into that and share how your art has played such a vital role in your well-being?

Mimi: So, earlier I shared how creating got me out of that dark place. But what I haven’t talked about publicly is how it continues to save me—every single day.

I’ve been battling some physical health issues over the past couple of years that I don’t always talk about. And on top of that, I’m open about my bipolar disorder, anxiety, and recently diagnosed ADHD. Dealing with all of that? It can be exhausting. Sometimes I wake up in a funk, crying for no reason, overwhelmed with sadness I can’t explain.

But when I create—whether I’m sketching, sewing, or planning a piece—it quiets the noise. It soothes me. It gives me a sense of purpose that I know is divine. There have been so many moments where I’ve had to literally tell myself, “Get up, Mimi. Go create.” And once I do, the energy shifts. I’ll be watching YouTube or TV, working on a piece, and suddenly I’m laughing again.

Sewing and creating aren’t just art for me. They are survival. It literally soothes my mania. 

QSM: Seriously, huge congrats on everything, and especially this solo showcase! How’s the planning whirlwind going? And, be honest… how many times have you wanted to throw your hands up and say, “forget it!? (laughs)

Mimi: Literally two minutes ago! And if you’re reading this an hour from now, then probably two minutes before that too. There have been moments where I’ve tossed my phone and just said, “Forget it!”

I plan events for a living—conferences, festivals, symposiums, you name it. But when it’s your own event? It’s a different beast. You’re harder on yourself. I’m juggling 47 models, group chats, measurement spreadsheets, marketing strategy, graphic design (which I do myself), a production team, communication, and more… and I’m still planning events for clients at the same time.

But this whole process has taught me so much—how to set boundaries, how to ask for help, how to give myself grace. It’s a challenge, but I thrive in that chaos. I always say: I choose violence… but I always win. Plus I set boundaries to help me achieve a healthy work life balance. Which wasn’t always a thing for me. I knew burnout like it was my partner. 

QSM: I’m so excited about the show! Give me the inside scoop – what’s the overall theme, what’s the inspiration behind it, and what’s the main message you’re hoping to share with everyone?

Mimi: Yes! So the theme of the show is called Embracing the Elements. It’s inspired by twelve powerful forces—things we see in nature, feel in energy, and embody in spirit. Each scene explores an element: shadow, fire, water, thunder, wind, and so on—each one bringing a different mood, texture, and story to life.

We open in mystery—black-on-black, layered textures, quiet power. Then we ground ourselves in melanin-rich earth tones and structured blazers. Next, the runway explodes with chaos and color—upcycled fashion and clashing prints. We float into dreamy fabrics, shimmer in metallic armor, and drop into icy sculptural pieces. Fire comes alive with seduction and intensity. And we close with Time—pure, all white, stillness.

This show is about evolution. It’s about the elements within us and around us. It’s proof that fashion has no rules, no limits—only purpose, creativity, and power.

QSM: Now word on the street is that you are going to Africa. And we know the streets be lying, so tell me…. Are they right about this one? Spill the tea!

Mimi: The Motherland is calling, and baby, I’m answering that call every single time. I can’t wait to share the details—it’s about to be beautiful.

QSM: Mimi, I am so proud of you and how far you have come. What is next for you?

Mimi: Thank you so much! What’s next is more intentional creativity. I want Roots of Fatima to be a safe space for limitless expression—through art, through fashion, through design. I’m going to keep building, keep experimenting, and keep helping people express themselves with no restrictions.

We’re growing, evolving, and staying true to our roots while expanding into everything we’re destined to be.

QSM: Remind the folks where they should be following you please?

Mimi: Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported me. Roots of Fatima was born from one of the darkest times in my life, and it’s become my light—and a light for others.

You can find me on:

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook – @rootsoffatima

And the official site: www.rootsoffatima.com


CREDITS

Photographer: Rains World Photography @rainsworldphoto

Designer: Aqila “Mimi” Benjamin

Models:

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