We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kadira Abou Said a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kadira , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I First Realized, I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally when I was about 17. Fashion wasn’t just something I admired, it became the way I expressed how I see the world. I found myself constantly thinking about design, colors and how clothing can reflect identity and culture. Over time, I understood that this was not a hobby for me, it was something I wanted to build my future around. That realization pushed me to start taking fashion seriously and eventually build my own brand, Takke_one_second_

Kadira , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I first realized I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally when I was around 17. Before that, fashion was something I admired visually, but I didn’t fully understand it as a career path. Over time, I started paying closer attention to how clothing can communicate identity, culture, and emotion without words, and that really shifted something in me.
Growing up, I was influenced by a blend of cultures, especially Middle Eastern vibrancy and the modern, diverse energy of the United States. I think that combination naturally shaped my creative eye even before I had the language to describe it. I would find myself observing people, textures, colors, and silhouettes in everyday life and imagining how they could be transformed into something expressive and meaningful.

At 17, I started exploring fashion more intentionally. What began as curiosity quickly turned into commitment. I realized I wasn’t just interested in fashion as a consumer, I was interested in building and creating within it. That was the moment it became clear to me that this wasn’t a temporary interest, but a direction I wanted to grow in professionally.
From there, I began taking steps to develop my skills, understand the industry, and eventually build my own brand, Take_One_Second_. My goal has always been to create designs that feel inclusive and expressive, and that reflect a fusion of cultures rather than a single perspective.
Looking back, it wasn’t one single moment that changed everything, it was a gradual realization that creativity wasn’t just something I enjoyed, it was something I needed to pursue as a career and identity.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A key part of my resilience came during the early stages of building my brand, Take One Second, which I officially founded in 2024. While my passion for fashion had been developing for years, actually stepping into the industry as a founder was a completely different experience, it required turning ideas into real execution, often without a clear roadmap.

One of the biggest challenges was learning how to navigate everything that comes with starting a fashion brand from the ground up. It wasn’t just about designing, it was about production decisions, planning collections, preparing for shows, and figuring out how to present my work in a professional space while still staying true to my creative vision. There were moments where I had to make decisions quickly, adapt under pressure, and trust my instincts even when things felt uncertain.

As a new brand, there is also the challenge of visibility proving yourself, building credibility, and continuing forward even when progress feels slow or invisible. I’ve had to learn patience and consistency, understanding that building something meaningful takes time and persistence.

What I have learned through this process is that resilience isn’t just about overcoming one big obstacle it’s about showing up repeatedly, refining your work, and staying committed even when the outcome isn’t immediate. Every challenge in this early stage of my brand has strengthened my confidence in my creative direction and my long-term vision for Takke_One_Second_

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative for me is seeing an idea that once only existed in my mind become something real that people can experience and connect with. As a fashion designer, I spend a lot of time thinking in concepts about culture, identity, color, texture, and emotion so when those ideas turn into physical pieces and are worn by real people, it feels very meaningful.

Another rewarding part is seeing how people from different backgrounds interpret and relate to my work in their own way. My brand, Takke_one_second_ inspired by a blend of Middle Eastern vibrancy and American diversity, so it’s especially powerful when I see that fusion resonate with others. It reminds me that fashion is not just about clothing it’s a form of communication that goes beyond language.
I also find it rewarding to see my growth reflected in my journey. Since founding my company in 2024, every collection, every fashion show, and every challenge has added another layer to my development as a designer. There’s something very fulfilling about building something from the ground up and watching it slowly take shape into a brand with its own identity. Ultimately, what makes it most rewarding is knowing that my work can inspire confidence and selfexpression in others. That’s what keeps me creating.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://takkeonesecond.org/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaASYIVdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacYA8KSOW0G3y7RJ0LHf-_0PFKoqVsyY4rdmT2bOJr5SXvgK0zt6oAM87almg_aem_lViLg1Gtv1R80u4BTFOWAQ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takke_one_second_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Roccc1mZ6/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abir-abousaid-42316bba

Image Credits

All images Credit – David Bailey