Aliya Boutique Store, established by Shagufa Maitullah three years ago, has become a go-to destination for traditional clothing in the Greater Portland Metro area. Shagufa noticed the lack of access to traditional Afghan, Arab, Indian, and Pakistani clothes, which inspired her to start her business from her home’s garage. “It clicked with me that there was a need for a boutique that serves our community”, she recalls. Aliya Boutique specializes in offering a diverse range of traditional wear to cater to the Afghan and Muslim diaspora.
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Afghan Traditional Handcrafted Clothes – These garments are sourced directly from Afghanistan, working with women artisans from rural areas. The boutique supports local craftswomen by offering their creations, which are designed with intricate embroidery and traditional Afghan patterns.
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Abayas and Arabic Clothes – Imported from the UAE, this collection features elegant, modest clothing, including a range of Abayas, popular within Arab and Muslim communities. Each piece reflects Arabic tradition, offering graceful and flowing designs.
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Punjabi Clothes – Sourced from India and Pakistan, the Punjabi collection includes vibrant and colorful outfits adorned with intricate embroidery. These pieces are perfect for festive occasions and casual wear.
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Pakistani and Indian Traditional Clothes – These garments combine the richness of both Pakistani and Indian cultures, featuring beautiful embroidery, luxurious fabrics, and diverse styles perfect for celebrations and everyday wear.
Shagufa credits her family, especially her husband, for supporting her through the journey. “This is a difficult journey and you have a lot to manage both with the new business and kids/home/family, but you have to stand-fast and persevere through all, as I am here to help you in this journey“, she recalls him saying. Her inspiration also comes from Prophet Muhammad’s wife, Khadija, who was a businesswoman, empowering Muslim women to succeed in both personal and professional lives.
Balancing her roles as a mother of three and a business owner, Shagufa has managed her family responsibilities while building a flourishing business. “Running my business from home gives me the flexibility to manage both work and family.”
The biggest challenge Shagufa faces is expanding into a physical marketplace, a goal she’s determined to achieve in the next few years. “I want to establish a physical store in Portland to further specialize in our unique clothing lines”, she shares.
Shagufa’s advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple yet powerful that you must trust yourself, move ahead and never backdown in the face of problems.
Founder and Owner of Aliya Boutique Store
Aliya Boutique offers a range of traditional clothing including Afghan dresses, Abayas, Punjabi clothes, Pakistani/Indian and Turkish wear, with the added benefit of supporting women artisans from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the UAE.
What makes Aliya Boutique unique is not just its carefully selected collections but also its commitment to supporting artisans and their families. “We work directly with women artisans, paying them fairly and supporting their craftsmanship”, Shagufa explains. This commitment to ethical fashion ensures that every purchase contributes to a bigger cause, supporting the livelihoods of those who make the clothes.
Although the business operates from her garage, Aliya Boutique has an expanding online presence through its Shopify store and Instagram page, where customers can explore the latest collections. As the boutique grows, Shagufa envisions opening a physical store in Portland, where her carefully curated clothing lines can be displayed in a dedicated space. “I want to further specialize in our traditional and cultural lines, offering more variety and serving a larger community,” she shares.
For inquiries, you can contact Aliya Boutique at 971-371-8572.
