Tucked along the vibrant stretch of Spring Garden Road, behind a wide glass window adorned with flowing lace and shimmering fabric, Michnat Fashion’s headquarters is brimming with creativity, compassion, and community.
Creative director and CEO, Funmilayo Odeniyi, guides fabric beneath the humming needle of her sewing machine. Her four children sit nearby, doing homework.
“Family is everything to me, and I want them to see what it means to work hard and give back.”
This prom season, Odeniyi decided to give back in a way that felt personal. Knowing how expensive prom can be—and how many families struggle to afford it—she announced on social media that she would be donating a custom prom dress to a deserving student.
“I wanted to give someone the opportunity to wear their dream dress,” she says. “To help create that dream, and make it a reality.”
The response was overwhelming. Stories poured in from across Halifax—nominations from teachers, parents, and friends sharing stories of students who had overcome hardship, excelled in school, and carried themselves with grace despite challenges.
After reviewing the submissions, Odeniyi selected Keisha Smith, a young Black student with a passion for academics and a story that deeply moved her.
“Her mother worked so hard to raise her and her siblings,” Odeniyi says. “They come from a struggling background, but Keisha is doing well in her studies, and she has such a good story to tell. The panel of judges felt that Keisha deserved to be celebrated.”
Nicole Smith, mum to Keisha, said, “I felt so blessed when I got the call…my niece had told us about the competition, and this helps me as a single mother, stressing about prom.”
Odeniyi is now working closely with Keisha to create a dress that reflects her personality and dreams. The process, she says, is about more than just fashion—it’s about affirmation and empowerment.
“People come into the studio to bring their dreams into reality… they’re creating a part of their story,” she says.
Keisha agrees, “I always want something sparkly, something unique and special, and I feel like I am getting that.”
As to whether Odeniyi will make this an annual project she says, “It’s something I hope to continue. By God’s grace, as we grow, giving back will always be part of what we do.”
Inside the cozy yet bustling studio, mannequins dressed in handcrafted prom and bridal gowns stand like elegant sentinels. Racks of couture gowns line the walls, their rich textures and hues giving the space an ethereal charm. Bolts of fabric are neatly stacked on open shelves, while sketchbooks filled with intricate designs lie scattered across a central worktable. Threads, embellishments, and beaded appliqués shimmer under the overhead lights and through boxes.
“For me, letting people see that they can dream big, and watch their dreams come to reality, is important,” Odeniyi says.
Odeniyi founded Michnat Fashion five years ago, but she has been sewing since she was just 10 years old. She grew up in Nigeria, where a neighbour who worked as a seamstress sparked her interest. “I used to sit and watch her for hours,” she recalls.
After immigrating to Halifax in 2016, Odeniyi pursued her passion professionally, blending traditional African aesthetics with modern couture design. Today, her studio is a local gem and a creative sanctuary.
It was community that helped Odeniyi get her start in the industry. Leaving behind her job as an accountant to pursue a career as a designer, a connection helped her get started. “I was working and learning from her for about three weeks—here I learnt how to run a business…and that’s how it started” she says.
As she threads another needle, surrounded by her children, sketches, and shimmering gowns, it’s clear that for Odeniyi, fashion is more than beauty—it’s a way to build community, uplift others, and stitch dreams into reality.
This article appears in May 1-31, 2025.