Inspired by her great-great grandmothers century old cloth box, Imam undertook preliminary exploratory research on traditional bridal trousseaus in Kano, Nigeria where she faced the sad reality of vanishing customs due to colonialism. Having realised the importance preserving these wedding rituals, Imam interviewed her mother and grandmother- two Afropolitan brides. These interviews propelled Imam to create a modern day trousseau unique to her family history.
Imam's time in Nigeria greatly influenced her choice of materials. Research revealed it was customary to use cotton for the creation of Sakake (the woven one) Arewa bridal cloths. These cloths would then be embroidered or dyed at local dye-pits using natural indigo pigments.
To give the sakeke a contemporary twist, Imam used natural mercerised cotton to weave jacquard samples that werre later dyed to reveal patterns and mark-making from her family mosque. It was a great way of paying homage to the creative customs of ancient Arewa while bringing in elements of her family history to the fabrics.
Imam's mother's re-imagining of Eurocentric fashion ideals by merging Nigerian styles with imported fabrics helped inform her design process and propelled Imam to select a silk wrap. the light-weight soft and glossy nature of silk yarns provided a luxurios touch while showcasing the saturated colours within her primary research.
Imam's final collection consists of contemporary bridalwear fabrics for special occasions. By exploring her mother and grandmother's intergenerational legacies, Imam not only preserves the past but also defines her own future of becoming an Afropolitan Arewa bride.