Unveiling Fashion: Walk the runway with Shoe Designer Aminah Abdul Jillil

In Episode 3 of "City of Dreams: Unveiled," host Jeff Lund explores Aminah Abdul Jillil's inspiring transition from dancer to acclaimed shoe designer, her unique design philosophy, and the bold creativity that defines her brand.

Creators & Guests

Host

Jeff Lund

Jeff Lund is a seasoned professional with a multifaceted 20+ year career in the entertainment industry including iconic entities like Cirque du Soleil, Spiegelworld and Meow Wolf, where he has consistently demonstrated his expertise in fostering innovative ideas and driving significant business growth across the entertainment industry. With a keen eye for emerging market trends and a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Jeff has effectively leveraged his skills to mentor and guide aspiring Entrepreneurs, Artists, and Creatives towards realizing their full potential. In his latest endeavor, Jeff has embraced the world of broadcasting as the host of KUNV 91.5 radio show, City of Dreams: Unveiled. This platform is a testament to his commitment to giving a voice to Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Artists, allowing them to showcase their dreams and stories. Through this initiative, Jeff aims to inspire listeners by bringing to light the journeys, failures, challenges, and successes of today's visionaries, thereby fostering a community of like-minded individuals who are driven to make a positive difference in the world while creating more art.

Guest

Aminah Abdul Jillil

Aminah Abdul Jillil is the founder and creative director of Aminah Abdul Jillil and oversees all categories of the Aminah Abdul Jillil brand including design, marketing and development. Aminah was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska where she fed her early passion for dance and performing arts. She went on to fulfill a life long dream in dance and entertainment, performing with some of the biggest names in music including Britney Spears and Janet Jackson and later Cirque du Soleil. Aminah began her career as a footwear designer in 2012 when she first launched her namesake company Aminah Abdul Jillil. She used her love of costumes, movement and performance to transition into the fashion industry with no traditional training in business or design. in a symphony of style and passion, Aminah was able to bring her vision to life. constructing her very first prototypes by hand. early life experiences in dance and performance gave Aminah the tools to live in the creative space of expression and freedom and so began her journey... What makes Aminah's designs unique is her excitement to "try something different" believing that getting lost in the moment...the details... is a wonderful place to be found. Every shoe reflects an attention to detail that sets her apart in the vast world of fashion and footwear.

What is City of Dreams: Unveiled?

City of Dreams: Unveiled delves deep into the pulsating heart of Las Vegas creativity. Each month, I'll take the listeners on a journey through the vibrant, often untold stories of artists and creatives from various fields, all united by their passion and drive. The show is anchored in raw, unfiltered conversations that aims to unveil the real essence of what it means to be a creative soul in today’s dynamic city - Las Vegas. We're not just talking about the end product - it's about the process, the struggles, the eureka moments, and everything in between.

Unknown Speaker 0:00
This is a k u and v studios original program.

Unknown Speaker 0:03
The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 Jazz and more the University of Nevada, Las Vegas or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Good morning dreamers and creators. You're tuned in to the City of Dreams unveiled. Your monthly deep dive into the pulsing heart of Las Vegas is art and entertainment scene. I'm your host, Jeff Lund. Here to peel back the layers of creativity and inspiration that fuel our city's most innovative minds.

Unknown Speaker 0:42
Welcome to the next episode of City of Dreams. I'm thrilled to welcome an incredibly talented and innovative guest Amina Abdul Jalil, a celebrated shoe designer whose brand has captivated fashion enthusiast and celebrities alike. amoenus journey from professional dancer to a fashion entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. Her designs are known for their bold, artistic flair and unique blend of elegance and edge making a statement on and off the red carpet. Today. Amina joins us to share her creative journey, the evolution of her brand and the passion that drives her to redefine the boundaries of footwear design. Get ready to step into the world of high fashion and creativity with Amina Abdul Jalil. Welcome Amina.

Unknown Speaker 1:26
Hi,

Unknown Speaker 1:27
how are you today?

Unknown Speaker 1:28
I'm good. How are you? Jeff, I'm

Unknown Speaker 1:29
good. Thank you for coming on the show. And I know you're gonna inspire many, many people who have a desire to be in the fashion industry. Jeff,

Unknown Speaker 1:37
thank you so much for having me here today.

Unknown Speaker 1:40
My pleasure. So let's start with your story. Where are you from?

Unknown Speaker 1:44
I'm born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Okay,

Unknown Speaker 1:47
and then you left Anchorage and move to where?

Unknown Speaker 1:51
Yes, I graduated high school and moved to Los Angeles to pursue dancing along with my sister. Okay.

Unknown Speaker 2:00
How does someone from Alaska make that transition to the big city, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco. Like what what was in you to just be like, I'm, I'm, I'm gonna go out and just explore the world.

Unknown Speaker 2:16
I wanted to be a dancer for as long as I could remember. From probably the age of three or four, I just knew what I wanted to do. And that stayed with me and drove me until I reached high school. Like there was nothing more that I wanted to do. Even before I started taking dance classes. I was glued in front of the TV watching music videos when I came home from school. So it was just a deep passion. Nothing I didn't want to do anything else but dance. So

Unknown Speaker 2:58
and was there iconic music videos back there. That really was the one that you were like, This is it. Oh,

Unknown Speaker 3:06
there were several. The first probably Janet Jackson if every day practicing the choreography, like I knew the choreography by heart. Yeah. In front of the TV in front of a TV in the living room. Not a big space. Okay. Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 3:22
So you graduate high school and you just venture off? Did you know anybody in Los Angeles,

Unknown Speaker 3:26
there was a teacher that came to do like a performing arts festival and Alaska. And he just kind of really jived well with us. He loved us and invited us to come to take classes and Los Angeles. And so we did. We did that while I was still in school. And from there, we were introduced to several dance studios out there, made some connections. And so when I graduated high school, that was where we felt we needed to be right

Unknown Speaker 3:59
one ticket or a direct ticket to Los Angeles and no return.

Unknown Speaker 4:04
Yeah, one way. Yeah. I was not coming back. There

Unknown Speaker 4:08
you go. So you got to Los Angeles. You're training. You're going out on auditions. What did that look like?

Unknown Speaker 4:15
Oh my goodness. Very, very nerve wracking. It's like someone just kind of dropped us in the middle of this. Just pond of Oh, my goodness, it was literally next to training to dance. There's like training for auditions. So we would in that not that there was a class for it. But we would go and we would watch first. Like we went and watched our first audition and then maybe watched a couple more and then you know, we finally gave it a shot. Back then when I started it was kinda like you would see on TV where the lines were wrapped around the building, you know, and dancers who I looked up to when I was watching music videos. So they, you know, they were like my idols. And so we were thrown in the mix with them, you know? And yeah.

Unknown Speaker 5:18
And then so did you go out on hundreds of editions? Or were you you know, after 10? Like you were found by somebody or now?

Unknown Speaker 5:28
Yes, we went on several, I don't know if it were hundreds, but it felt like hundreds, because we were constantly being told, Oh, you're too tall, or you're really good, but, and we just thought, what were like, What do you mean, you know, we didn't get that concept. You know, hard work if you're good equals this, but not in the entertainment world. Yes. So I was I auditioned a lot. I'm saying we because my sister and I, we were together and we did everything together. We auditioned together, we danced together. We booked jobs together. But so yeah, I went on several auditions, I was told no because of this, and that, and this and that. And finally a teacher that I was regularly taking from he it was not even an audition, he called me at home. He called me at home. He had booked a big job, which was the MTV Video Music Awards as the choreographer for Britney Spears. And he called me at home one Sunday and asked if we wanted to join him. And I was like, of course, yes. And that was like the first. The first big that was my first big job that I gotten since you know when I

Unknown Speaker 6:52
moved. Yeah. And Britney Spears. Yeah, she did better than

Unknown Speaker 6:56
that. Well, the thing at all of us were kind of new. She was she had just come on the scene. Boom, the industry, like she had to her career had just like, exploded. And so this, this was her first MTV Video Music Awards.

Unknown Speaker 7:13
Yeah. So I know you toured with a few different artists. What was the first tour you did?

Unknown Speaker 7:18
My first tour was with Britney, it was a dream within a dream. Yeah, it was dream within a dream world tour.

Unknown Speaker 7:26
How was that?

Unknown Speaker 7:29
It was a dream come true. And not just, you know, a play on words. It was a dream come true. The best. The best choreography, the best stage direction, the best costumes, the best dancers. And you can ask for you can't ask for more than that when everyone? Is that the top of their game, and you're getting the best. So yeah, I that tour, that part of my life will stay with me forever. Like we built relationships. You know, we were in our, oh my god, I'm telling my age here. But I was I want to say 20. We were like 19 and 20. All of us dancers and we've stayed in each other's lives. I'm godmother to some. Yes. You know, we've been to each other's weddings. So yeah.

Unknown Speaker 8:31
Amazing. What are their tours? Did you go move on to Oh, my

Unknown Speaker 8:35
I toured with Britney a few times. I've also toured with Janet Jackson, twice. The first time was just kind of a promo promo tour with her. It didn't go world. But Britney is probably the one recording artists that has kind of spanned through my my life, my my adult life. So yeah. Amazing.

Unknown Speaker 9:01
How did you end up in Las Vegas?

Unknown Speaker 9:04
Oh, my so the choreographer actually, that asked me that. My first job asked me if I wanted to, you know, work with him. He and I worked together for a very long time throughout my dance career. And so I was kind of at the end, kinda, I felt like I had done everything that I wanted to do within the industry as a dancer. And the very last thing, I was just kind of out running errands and he calls and he's like, sir, just delay I'm choreographing. He was like, I have this role that would be perfect for you. He was like, I really want you to meet the director. He was like, Can you come down? I was like, okay, yes, you don't. You don't say no. Well, I don't say no to anything he would ask. So I come down to the audition. I think I ran home real quick to get some sweats and they kind of just wanted to see me it wasn't your normal audition, where your throne choreography, it was more so they would give me scenarios that they wanted to see me act out. So, yeah, that was kind of the start of it. So

Unknown Speaker 10:19
that role was maybe a little bit more theatrical. Yes. In the sense of playing a character and not just being a dancer. Yes, a dancer, a dancer on stage, that sort of thing. So you got to explore maybe a little bit more acting? Oh,

Unknown Speaker 10:31
so sure. Yeah, it was a full. It was an artist's dream. So yeah, I was. When I did get the job. They trained me in like character, like character study, because my character was kind of animalistic woman meets animal type of nature. And so I would have classes on how to create movements that fit this character. They decided once that they wanted me to have a sword when I entered the stage. So they brought in like, a world class swordsman to teach me moves. And so yeah, amazing.

Unknown Speaker 11:12
So you're wrapping up your dance career? It sounds like then how did you transition into becoming a fashion shoe designer?

Unknown Speaker 11:24
Oh, my. So it wasn't a stop and start type of thing. Okay, I was still dancing and performing. And kind of, I guess, honing that side of it. So anytime I wasn't dancing or doing a job, I would take classes. So I enrolled in a fashion program at Santa Monica College at the time, I had some downtime. And so I kind of fell in love with art, with illustration with color analysis and construction. And I didn't get to finish the courses. So I took everything that I learned and would practice on my own. So I specifically I was working with Cirque du Soleil at the time and whenever we were not on stage, I would be in the back sewing. Okay. So that's kind of how I started. Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 12:25
That's, that's great. Do you feel your background in dance influences your designs that you make now?

Unknown Speaker 12:33
Oh, yeah. And not always in the such a, I guess literal way. I feel like with dance, I was introduced to different cultures while traveling, you know, on tour and things like that. I was exposed also to a lot of wardrobe stylist and costume stylist or costume designers. And so all of that. It's like, I felt like I had like a lifetime of inspo just kind of pouring into me. And so it. Yeah, it just showed up. It just showed up. And I felt like it was a need that I you know, it was kind of inside that I wanted to express myself in a different way. Because for so long. My expression was movement and performing on stage live on stage. And so it was just another avenue to Yeah, express.

Unknown Speaker 13:37
Talk about your first initial designs. Like how did you like, Do you have a signature design?

Unknown Speaker 13:44
I do. My first design was a bow sandal, like a flat bow sandal. And I had gotten a gift, the same year that I designed that I had gotten a gift earlier that year for my birthday. And it was this beautiful leather bag. And it had this abstract bow on it. I don't know why I was so moved by this because up until that point, I felt like my personal style was kind of edgy. A little bit of masculine meets feminine, but there was something just really feminine about this bag that I loved. And so I was just playing around with ideas. And from that inspiration on this bag, I created my first sandal and I did it by hand. Yeah, it took me a minute to to construct and develop to get it to pop the way I wanted. Because up until that point, all of the bows that I've seen were kind of one dimensional. So I just kind of played around with it and and out of playing out of what do you call it? Yeah, kind of like freestyle when you freestyle dance, you discover things. And so I kind of just discovered the shape Keep.

Unknown Speaker 15:02
And then you make it sound really easy. Like you just put together this shoe. And then like, what was the process? And it must have been a steep learning curve of like, where did you go to manufacture this?

Unknown Speaker 15:15
So my I feel like my experience or my I don't know, I feel like I'm a little bit raw. It's unconventional, for sure. Because I don't know all of the techniques, I took classes and things like that, but it's just a visual. I just saw him. I don't know able to create the things that I see in my head. Yes.

Unknown Speaker 15:43
But how did you how did you take it to get it manufactured?

Unknown Speaker 15:46
Oh, okay. So how did I take it to get it manufactured? My, my great friend, Jeff introduced me to a convention that would frequent Las Vegas every year, because I had the samples, and I didn't really know what to do with them. They looked pretty, I was proud of them. But I didn't know what to do with them. My great friend Jeff gave me the information to this convention. And this convention was called wsa. At the time, I don't think they still have it, but back then it was called wsa. And this convention had several manufacturers that basically were looking to get new clients or new whatever. So I walked the floor all day, being again, turned down, left and right, because nobody wants to work with someone who has nothing, or someone who's new, or you know, they were all concerned about volume and this and that and walked the floor the whole day. And there was this little tiny man who he gave me the time of day, you know, he stood there and talked to me, he didn't care that I was new. And that was my start. He they took me on. i Yeah, that was the very beginning. What

Unknown Speaker 17:09
what's interesting is, you experienced the same thing, in dance with audition being turned down being turned out, you're too tall to this, you're to that, and you transition to a shoe designer. And now you're faced with that, that same reality, you're not big enough, you're not going to produce, you know, 10,000 pairs of this style. So we can't work with you. What advice, you know, for someone who, who's following their passion, whether it's dance or fashion, it doesn't matter. Like you just keep getting up and going, what is in you? Or what advice do you have for people who are like, Oh, this is, you know, I'm just going to run into another roadblock? Like, why do you continue to be successful in what you put your mind to?

Unknown Speaker 18:00
Oh, thank you. Number one, Jeff. And I just, I have this in me where I feel like I can do it. And it really doesn't matter what other people say. And so my advice to anybody out there wanting to do, it doesn't matter what it is. It's as simple as just do it. Like, you just have to do it. You have to believe in yourself more than anybody. You have to work hard. And I believe first the passion. So

Unknown Speaker 18:38
yeah, yeah, it is. And you have to, you just have, like you said, you have to go for it and buy that one way ticket and just trust that the process is going to work out. Yeah, there will be bumps in the road, roadblocks, all that. But those that continue to show up can be successful. And whatever you put your mind to. Yeah, so you're a great example. You live in Las Vegas, you run your company out of Las Vegas, right? Yeah, yep. And your shoe brand is worldwide. So that's I think it's a great acknowledgement that you can live in Las Vegas and have opportunities to be a worldwide brand and not have to live in New York or, you know, la like you can really make it here. And what keeps you here in Las Vegas.

Unknown Speaker 19:25
What keeps me here is I feel like I have I've created my own little worlds. And I love my workspace. And you know, it's it's interesting because everyone has their own opinion about what success looks like and how you have to arrive at it. I even from the start, I come from a place that is not very well known. There's not that many people you know, and I work from within out, in out like outward, you know, instead of the other way around like the world influencing you in a way. Anyway, I Yeah, it doesn't matter where you are, you can do whatever you want from wherever you are. So

Unknown Speaker 20:18
that's very true, especially with social media, right? Where do you find that you watch future trends? Or, you know, where are you getting your inspo from now? Hmm.

Unknown Speaker 20:31
You know what? I can't always put my finger on it because I'm still like music. Music is a huge part of my life. And people think it's always so literal inspiration, but it can be a feeling for me, it's always a feeling. So it doesn't matter if it's a song that I'm listening to order a movie that I saw in a mood that was created. Or I saw a dress or a jacket or a buckle on a belt, you know, it's inspiration comes from everywhere, for me, I can I feel like it. It's not limited. I kind of get it from everywhere, and I can't never put my finger on it. And it just pops up. So I guess I'm, I stimulate myself with travel. With music. Like I said, I love watching shows. So within that there's costumes and moods everywhere.

Unknown Speaker 21:32
That's right. Like I always say art is all around us. It's what you wear. It's the conversations you have. It's the food you eat. So that can be you know, any found anywhere, especially in Las Vegas with so much entertainment. I know you you go to quite a few shows, just to see what's happening. Oh,

Unknown Speaker 21:50
yes, I I've been to all my. We've been to so many shows last year, this year. So far. My show was at Disneyland. But I went and saw Beyonce. I saw her twice. We saw Taylor Swift Katy Perry. Usher. Oh, my. And that's

Unknown Speaker 22:12
the beauty of living in Las Vegas. Goodness access to the best in the world,

Unknown Speaker 22:17
the very best, and it's in our backyard. Yep. Talk to

Unknown Speaker 22:21
me about a collaboration you did with Macy's. How did that come about? Oh,

Unknown Speaker 22:27
that was during the pandemic, when life was kind of turned upside down. I had gotten a email from Macy's. And they were just interested in the collaboration was first highlighting black owned or black entrepreneurs. Yeah, that was the start of my partnership with Macy's. It was a beautiful collaboration that was birthed in the middle of the pandemic. And they just basically created a playground for me to play. They were amazing. And their support. And yeah, it Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 23:12
So you did that first collaboration? Yes. Then, like it was you got into it. And then what happened next?

Unknown Speaker 23:18
So from that collaboration, the collaboration did really well. For them. I did three special three special design, capsule collections. And they all sold really well for them. And from that, the success of that they asked me to join them on a more permanent partnership, where my brand would live at Macy's. So I created a sub brand to my main luxury brands, exclusive for Macy's. And I had my first collection under that label. My second label, I had my first collection it dropped last spring. So yeah,

Unknown Speaker 24:11
that's amazing. Okay, we've got a couple minutes left. I always like to do a lightning round of questions of death. Yep. Just you know, whatever you feel. I'll ask five questions. Okay, okay, we're gonna start heels or sneakers in the dance off. If you found yourself in an impromptu dance off, which would you which would be your battle gear? Sky High Heels for a glam edge, or comfy sneakers to bust out your best moves? Oh,

Unknown Speaker 24:39
my goodness. Is that me answering this question right now. Yes, heels all day. I'm a different person. Okay.

Unknown Speaker 24:48
Superhero footwear. If you were tasked with designing footwear for a new superhero, what special feature would the shoe have?

Unknown Speaker 24:57
Oh, it would have wings. So that If I could fly

Unknown Speaker 25:03
Okay, runway or deserted island? Would you rather design an exclusive collection for a runway show? With no audience? Or create a survival shoe line for living on a deserted island?

Unknown Speaker 25:17
I would have to go with the runway with no audience really? Why? Oh, I that's not my vibe deserted, deserted island where?

Unknown Speaker 25:30
There's no no showers and bathrooms. No. Okay. Okay, next one shoe transformation magic. If you had a magical power, would you rather have your shoes change color to match your outfit? or have them adapt to comforter comfortability in any situation?

Unknown Speaker 25:53
I'm gonna have to go with change colors to match the outfit. All right. Yeah. Just because that's fun. Who you? You can't always be comfortable. There you go. Rather look good. Some. It's terrible, but we would rather look good.

Unknown Speaker 26:07
There you go. Yeah. Celebrity shoe swap. If you could swap shoe closets with any celebrity for a day. Who would you choose?

Unknown Speaker 26:16
Oh my goodness. Maybe Tracee Ellis Ross, her style is unmatched. She goes from one vibe to the next. And I just know that closet has something in it that I would love. So her hands down. Tracee Ellis Ross.

Unknown Speaker 26:39
Any last advice or parting words about following your dreams?

Unknown Speaker 26:44
Um Can I just say I'm grateful to be here? Absolutely. I'm grateful to be here. Thank you so much for having me, Jeff. You followed your dreams. I followed my dreams and we're here together and I think it's great. And my message I feel like it's always the same. Just be true to yourself. And keep going no matter what you're gonna get knocked down 500 times. And you just keep just keep getting up and keep moving forward.

Unknown Speaker 27:20
Amazing. Thank you, Amina. It has been an honor hosting you today. I admire how you're always taking bold chances pursuing your dreams with unwavering determination. Your story is a beacon for dreamers everywhere, illuminating the path of creative transition and the courage it demands. Your narrative is a testament and the transformative power of embracing change, regardless of the uncertainties that lie ahead, your transition from a professional dancer gracing the stage with precision and grace. To the visionary shoe designer crafting pieces with bold artistry with wearability speaks volumes about the fearless pursuit of your dreams. Your designs characterized by their boldness and innovative mirror your your own life's philosophies to stand out to be different and to make every step count. This conversation with you today has served as a powerful reminder for the fleeting nature of life and the importance to seize every opportunity to make our own dreams a tangible reality. Your story is a call to other dreamers urging us to step out of our comfort zones to dance through the uncertainties and to design the lives we all yearn for. It's up to us to make every day count to embrace the dance of life with all of its twists and turns and to never shy away from designing our own dreams. In the city of dreams. You I mean a stand out as a shining example of what it means to live fully to dream boldly, and create relentlessly. Remember to join us for the next episode on April 28 at 9am. Until then keep embracing the creativity around you and support your local artists. This is Jeff Lowen See you next time.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai