How a M’sian-Nigerian couple built a business around African culture

Malaysian-Indian woman Shantarubini Kalaithasan, also known as Rubini, and her Nigerian husband Zibai Williams Achi have combined their love for West African fashion into a successful business called Ankara by Sutra Trading. Based in Kuala Lumpur, the couple specializes in West African clothing, including Ankara and Adire textiles, which are made and tailored in Nigeria to support local artisans.

The business began when Rubini, a former banker turned financial coach, discovered African fashion through her church community and later started selling the unique pieces online. Zibai, who had been living in Malaysia for years, noticed Rubini's Ankara fashion sense and helped her turn her passion into a business. Their wedding, held in October 2024, celebrated both Indian and Nigerian cultures, with Rubini wearing a lehenga and Zibai donning traditional Nigerian attire.

Their business offers ready-made kimonos, skirts, dresses, and men's T-shirts, as well as custom-made pieces, all while keeping prices affordable for customers.

Brief written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.