Halima Hamisu inherited more than talent, she inherited a legacy rooted in craftsmanship. Raised in Potiskum, she spent early summers watching local leatherworkers shape hides into footwear. For her, that was more than exposure, it was an awakening.
After experimenting with shoemaking in university to bridge academic strikes, she gradually built an artisan studio in Jos. She taught herself every stage of production, from pattern making to hardware sourcing. Today her brand, Hammy Collection, leads the market in Nigeria’s luxury shoes and bags.
Her studio is calm and focused. Shoemakers hand-stitch satchels, curve soles with old-school lasts, polish brass buckles to a soft gleam. Halima moves among them quietly, tipping seams, adjusting leathers. The quality speaks for itself. These are not mass-produced accessories, they are thoughtful pieces meant to last.
Her aesthetic balances bold and elegant. A clutch might pair structured leather with geometric stitching and warm brass. A loafer could feature a flash of Adire fabric along the inner lining, a nod to heritage without spectacle.
She seldom seeks celebrity endorsements. Her clients arrive by word of mouth, women in power who wear her pieces daily. Those who do say comfort and confidence come through in the details: soft leather handles, carefully-weighted hardware, interiors that cradle essentials without slipping.
Every collection is small, focused on timeless pieces. New designs emerge slowly, guided by Halima’s sense of balance, not by trend charts. She draws inspiration from local culture: Fulani motifs in bag folds, Hausa embroidery in shoe trims, urban minimalism in silhouette.
She mentors young women through training programs that span masterclass workshops and apprenticeships. Many leave with jobs, and some open their own micro-enterprises. Halima equates a stitch in leather to an opportunity stitched into a life.
Her brand exports modest volumes – London, Dubai, Accra. Luxury boutiques stock her work alongside global designers. Her pieces arrive wrapped, labeled, and noted for their quiet sophistication.
She is not just making accessories. She is building a legacy that honours craftsmanship, culture, and quiet confidence. And she’s doing it with clarity, discipline, and purpose.
