Zakkiyya Jahaan of Atlanta on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Zakkiyya Jahaan and have shared our conversation below.

Zakkiyya , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day look like, waking up to a beautiful three year old. Either she wakes me up or I’m waking her up, getting her out of bed and into the bathroom to brush her teeth and get her ready for pre school. Then I’ll go to the gym, and or hurry home to make a quick breakfast to get the gains in after my workout, shower and create content of my “Get Ready With Me” every morning before I head into my day job.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Zakkiyya Murarah, and I’m a fashion designer and beauty entrepreneur based in Atlanta. I’m the creative force behind a growing fashion brand “The GAWDS,” meaning ‘the girl/guy always wearing dope sh*t’ that merges bold, nostalgic aesthetics with modern femininity, and or masculinity. My work is rooted in storytelling, every collection I create reflects a chapter of my journey as a woman, a mother, and an artist carving her own lane in the industry.
Over the years, I’ve expanded from creating custom looks and revamping wardrobes into being accepted on major platforms like New York and Dallas Fashion Week, which has been a dream
of mine. The next step is to make enough to actually go. What makes my brand special is the intention behind every piece; it’s not just about clothes, it’s about confidence, transformation, and tapping into that main-character energy we all have.
Right now, I’m working on my next collection, which continues to push boundaries in texture, silhouette, and storytelling. I’m passionate about inspiring other women, especially those balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood, to bet on themselves unapologetically.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious, fearless little girl who loved creating beauty out of anything. I didn’t have titles or expectations… I just had this raw passion for design, style, and making people feel good about themselves. I was imaginative, expressive, and unafraid to dream big, even when the circumstances around me said otherwise.
That version of me is still at the core of what I do today. She’s the reason I build my collections with such intention, why I focus on transformation and confidence, and why I take up space in rooms I could only imagine myself belonging in. My work now is a love letter to her and proof that you don’t have to lose yourself to become successful; you can grow and still keep your essence.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power when I realized that my struggles weren’t weaknesses, but
were lessons. For a long time, I tried to appear like I had it all together, especially as a new mother and entrepreneur. But it was exhausting, and it felt like I was dimming my own light.
The turning point came when I decided to embrace my story instead of running from it. Every setback, every disappointment, every “no” fueled my creativity and my drive. I began to pour that emotion into my work, my designs, brand, and approach to life. That’s when people started to really connect with me and my vision, because it was real.
Pain became my power the moment I understood that it didn’t have to define me; it could refine me.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Everything about me is raw and authentic. I’ve even gotten to a point where I’m able to share on my platforms my very vulnerable side.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace with a good ass sketch pencil and some markers, coming up with a new idea.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TheGawds.com
• Instagram: Zathegawds and thegawds_

Image Credits
Most photos were taken by me or a friend, and if not, I’m not sure of the photographer.