Somali Twin Sensations : Ayan and Idyl

They are gorgeous and young and they took the fashion industry by storm. Ayan and Idyl are Somali twins who have their own design line in New York. They were interviewed in the Oprah show and are role models for the young. Proud of their heritage, they have called their brand Mataano or twin in Somali and have underlined how proud they are of their Somali and American heritage. A product of Michigan and Boston universities, these Somali twin sensations are living examples of successful enterpenourship.

This is an extraction from their Mataano website:

Born to Somali parents and raised in both their native country and Washington DC, identical twins Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim are anything but ordinary. Having fled Somalia at the age of nine to escape the country’s civil war, both Idyl and Ayaan completed their college education at University of Michigan and Boston University, respectively, before making the bold move to Manhattan where they aimed to stand out from the rest in the world of fashion and design. Experiencing the industry from the ground up through careful study and practice, they slowly crafted their talent, weaving their cultural influence throughout each meticulously designed piece in their studio with only distant dreams of launching a collection

In 2008, the Mohallim sisters took their first step together, launching a new brand, Mataano (meaning “twins” in Somali) and furnishing a platform to express their vision and bring forth their creations to the marketplace. Mataano’s premier Spring 2009 collection launched in New York City on November 1, 2008 featuring a boutique preview of ten dresses, many of which received notice in the industry. Oprah Winfrey, the queen of daytime television, invited both siblings onto a recent show via Skype featuring the Olsen twins and young millionaire moguls. Paralleling their success with the Olsen sisters, Oprah lauded the duo for their inspiring story and much deserved success, and gave them the national credibility that will undoubtedly launch Mataano as an emerging brand with a rich cultural heritage.

Below is some of their collections - including the flowing Somali Diric dress:

Somali Bloom wishes success to the twin nomads!

18 Year Old Somali with Golden Foot

Every now and then we see new nomad faces in the news. This week some very young talent made his mark in the football area.

On the night of 12JAN10, Somali sports fans watching the Man City Vs Blackburn Rovers game were thrilled to see a Somali face sitting among the spare Man City players on the back bench.

The focus of their admiration is 18-year old Abdisalam Abdulkadir Ibrahim "Caddaay" who has been signed up by the Man City Italian coach Robert Mancini known for his "new blood" strategy.

Abdisalam did not play during the game which Man City routed their rivals 3:1. But recent sports reviews have been all praise for him and many see him as a promising asset for the team.

Apparently football runs in the family blood. Abdisalam's father was a prominent international referee in Somalia and son is perfectly following that old adage of like father like son.

As for the fellow Somalis, it was a sight to behold to see on the TVs a fellow nomad lining up in one of the premier teams. Abdisalam is marking his time and given a chance will grab his opportunity. He knows he is a sort of flagship for his family and fellow Somalis. And of course he knows he has to deliver a return of goals for Man City's investment in him.

Of course an early unexpected return for Man City's investment is the large number of fans from the Somali community.