Today we share in a powerful conversation with Rita Thara, who owns
Thara Fashions with her mother, Veronique. They import fabrics from Africa to design and create modern clothing, handbags and accessories with a traditional African twist.
Veronique learned to sew from her own mother at the age of 7 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She studied sewing and worked as a model in Switzerland before going on to start her own Business, JOLIE MODE, designing clothes for women and children back home in Africa.
Rita began following in her mother’s footsteps at the age of 6, dressing up, designing outfits, and dreaming of a career in fashion. But when JOLIE MODE was destroyed by the war, Rita and Veronique had to put their dreams on hold.
The two designers were given a second chance when they moved to Boise in 2012 and opened a successful retail shop in the Boise International Market. When it burned down in 2015, the two women were more determined than ever.
Veronique learned to sew handbags at Artisans for Hope, a nonprofit that helps new refugees gain skills to help them be self-sufficient and integrate in Boise. Likewise, Rita developed her talents sewing beautiful bags at Asana, where she works.
Now Thara Fashions is a thriving online and pop-up shop, creating unique designs and made-to-order clothing and accessories for women and children. Visit
www.thara-fashions.com/.
