Meet Passionate Rebel Lifestyle Brand Owner, Warith EL-Amin Jumu’ah

Meet Warith EL-Amin Jumu’ah, a Morgan State University graduate, fashion, and lifestyle brand owner, and a true inspiration to many. He firmly believes in following your passion, which is why he’s known as a Passionate Rebel. Through his clothing and lifestyle brand, Warith motivates and encourages people to rebel against settling for less and pursue their dreams with conviction.

Warith’s personal experiences growing up in an urban community have driven him to create change and inspire others to pursue their passions. Through Passionate Rebel, Warith provides a platform for individuals to connect and support each other in their entrepreneurial endeavors. His leadership style is one of empowerment, encouraging others to take risks and follow their dreams.

Passionate Rebel has become a community where individuals of all ages can find inspiration and guidance. Warith’s dedication to helping others has made him a role model for young aspiring entrepreneurs, who can look to him for guidance on how to navigate the challenges of starting a business. He reminds them that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. At Passionate Rebel, Warith’s message is clear: be a rebel for your passion. By encouraging individuals to pursue what they truly love, he is creating a community of people who are living fulfilling lives and making a positive impact on the world.

Passionate Rebel provides students and adults with the tools and resources they need to follow their passion through fashion and workshops, surmounting obstacles and distractions. It’s an essential initiative that enables young people to unlock their full potential and make a positive impact on the world.

What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion design?

I always believed fashion connected people. My inspiration came out of a desire to fulfill a need in my community, which was to provide hope and inspiration. My goal was to design apparel not only appealed to the eye of various age groups but also would aid in reinvigorating the spirit of people looking to feel uplifted.

Can you tell us about your creative process when designing a new collection?

When designing a new collection, my creative process begins with an intense level of critical thinking while giving thought to what’s taking place in society at the time. I always say, “This collection has to provide a solution to a problem”. I think about the need for positive reinforcement for young people, specifically those who are struggling to find an identity or identify with something that addresses their needs.

How do you stay up to date with the latest fashion trends and incorporate them into your designs?

I’m visible in my field of work. Such is achieved by a daily practice of actively maintaining communication and engagement by attending networking events, working closely with peers, and working within various school districts. I rely more so on my communication with the younger generation, who in turn conveys “what’s hot, what’s not, and what’s needed”. Often, I direct my focus on what’s needed. A great reason is that a lot of what’s needed isn’t conveyed by many brands, i.e., following your passion. It’s important for my collections to speak to that very need because that’s what aids my brand in encouraging people to tap into their Passionate Rebel.

Can you walk us through a project you worked on that you are particularly proud of?

Our Passionate Rebel Day is a project I’m particularly proud of. We launched our 1st Annual Passionate Rebel on August 22, 2022. We collaborated with the Selfie Museum in Westfield, NJ to do something great for people throughout the community. This event not only provided a day of connecting with our supporters but allowed our brand to celebrate 8 years of existence since launching in June 2014. Passionate Rebel Day showed me how far my team and I have come. This event was combined with providing back-to-school items for students, showing appreciation to our community, and more importantly, bringing joy to the world.

As an educational philanthropist, how do you see fashion contributing to education and social development?

Fashion is a great outlet that connects people within society. By way of the Passionate Rebel mentoring component, I’ve been blessed to collaborate on a project with an administrator who oversees fashion design within the School of Fashion in the Newark, New Jersey School District. That project allowed me to speak on various ways fashion can be used to inspire people. Also, that opportunity displayed how those students who participated in the project were able to connect Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with their career interests which served as a positive motivator for them to continue to learn more about the fashion world.

How do you balance maintaining your brand’s identity while also meeting the demands of your clients and the industry?

Balancing is achieved by prioritizing my brand. By making sure we have a strategic plan of action in place, we maintain a great deal of success. As a leader, individual and team member, I want to provide the best brand experience. From a business and personal perspective, I want to do right by my clients and those I cross paths with. Passionate Rebel was derived from a place of genuine care. As we continue to advance in the fields of community work, fashion, and education, I want to continue to provide a genuine feeling our supporters have known us to generate throughout our years of operating.

What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers?

“Your Passion Stimulates Your Hustle!” -Warith Jumuah.

From the onset, determine a need that has to be met. From a strategic business perspective, my advice would be to strategize in terms of developing a plan and finding ways to implement the mechanics to execute your plan of action. Connect with someone who can mentor you on various ways to navigate your path! Always remember why you started….

How do you think fashion can be used as a tool for self-expression and empowerment?

The fashion world has a voice of its own! Depending on who you are and what you do, your voice and actions can influence people to conduct themselves in a certain way.

I’ve learned that fashion allows people to express their thoughts, ideas, and beliefs, which in turn, gives a sense of achievement and builds on other components such as self-confidence/ self-direction.

Can you discuss any future projects or collaborations you have in the works?

Passionate Rebel is currently working on hosting our 2nd Annual Passionate Rebel Day for 2023. We want this one to be bigger than the last! We’re working on hosting this year’s Passionate Rebel Day with a school of our choice to get a lot of students involved.

We’re prepping for our 2023 fashion collection to be displayed if New York Fashion Week 2023. We’re just in work mode!

How do you see your work with Hustle and Soul magazine contributing to the fashion industry and beyond?

Hustle and Soul Magazine serves as an example and motivation that an entity can become a voice and platform for creatives throughout the fashion world. Like Hustle and Soul Magazine, I see Passionate Rebel carrying the torch to be an inspiration for people looking to “Rebel Against Not Following Their Passion”.

Someone will read this Q&A and become inspired to research how they can be the next teacher, fashion brand, magazine, or next Passionate Rebel!