From Iran to Milan: How Melika Built Lakilem from Scratch
At just 18, Melika Najafizadeh left her home in Iran and journeyed to Madrid, Spain—eager to pursue studies at IE University. She recalls the cultural shock as profound, but confirms it became the catalyst for immense personal growth. “The shock pushed me to grow,” she shared. This foundation in business would become essential for all that followed.
By age 21, Melika moved to Milan to pursue her Master’s in Fashion & Luxury at the prestigious Istituto Marangoni. While studying, she launched Lakilem, a luxury men’s sneaker and accessories brand she built entirely from scratch. Juggling a demanding academic load, cultural adaptation, and the logistical struggles of starting a business in a foreign country, Melika calls this period “incredibly tough” — but also the defining stage that shaped her into the resilient, purpose-driven entrepreneur she is today.
Fashion as Expression, Business as Heritage
Melika describes fashion as her personal language—a beautiful means of expressing elegance, strength, and identity. But she didn’t stop at the surface. She became fascinated by branding’s power and by fashion’s ability to shape perceptions across cultures.
Her drive is more than creative: it’s deeply rooted in a lineage of entrepreneurship. With business acumen passed down through generations—her father, grandfather, and beyond—the marriage of fashion and entrepreneurship felt natural. That synergy birthed Lakilem: a brand rooted in legacy, built with purpose, and anchored in personal expression.
Launching Lakilem: Persian Roots, Italian Luxury
In 2017, while still in Milan, Melika brought Lakilem to life. The name itself is highly symbolic—it’s her own name “Melika” spelled backwards, and in French, the pronunciation mimics “l’a qui l’aime” (“the one who loves it”), a clever nod to her identity and brand ethos.
Positioning herself as a young Persian woman launching a men’s luxury brand in Italy—a country where the fashion industry remains steeped in tradition—was a bold and unconventional move. She had no external funding or mentorship, only her own perseverance, focus, and ambition. This act of breaking into a male-dominated, foreign industry became her greatest achievement and a powerful statement of independence.
Cultural Bridges & Challenges Overcome
Her story is one of overcoming barriers. From managing language and cultural differences in Madrid and Milan to persisting past moments of doubt, Melika turned every “no” into fuel for determination. She describes the deep lessons learned: “Nothing meaningful comes without persistence. Talent opens doors, but discipline builds empires.”
As a woman from Iran, her heritage both challenged and enhanced her journey. She takes pride in Iran’s rich traditions; at the same time, she acknowledges that strong cultural norms can limit flexibility. Navigating these increased her capacity for resilience and creative problem-solving .
Gold Moments & Brand Identity
Gold isn’t just a stylistic choice for Lakilem—it’s symbolic. It ties directly to Persian cultural values of prestige, confidence, success, and warmth. Melika explains that gold speaks to royalty and empowerment, reflecting the “gold moments” she creates for her clients.
Lakilem’s sneakers, rooted in Italian craftsmanship, combine streetwear silhouettes with unique elegance and strong branding. The house logo repeats in patterns across shoes, with colorways like white, black, and gold embodying clean minimalism with a luxe edge. The brand is aimed at “citizens of the world,” men who appreciate deep cultural resonance in their style.
Social Media & Global Influence
Melika has cultivated a powerful presence on Instagram—with over 1.4 million followers and a signature engagement rate of 13% on her @lakilemofficial account . She leverages social media not just for marketing, but as a tool for storytelling—constructing a narrative around freedom, empowerment, and individuality.
She surrounds herself with a creative team that shares her vision and values. Together, they’ve leveraged digital platforms to grow Lakilem from a Milanese startup into a brand with international reach and meaningful emotional resonance .
Upcoming: UAE Concept & Social Impact
Always looking ahead, Melika says she’s “currently growing Lakilem into a globally recognized luxury brand while preparing to launch a new concept tailored specifically for the UAE market.” While details remain under wraps, she emphasizes that the expansion is deeply personal—rooted in identity, cultural richness, and empowerment.
She’s also committed to giving back. Future plans include humanitarian initiatives woven into brand strategy—like auction-based collections that support philanthropic causes.
Lessons Learned & Personal Philosophy
Several lessons emerge from Melika’s journey:
- Persistence beats talent. Discipline and consistency, she claims, are what truly build lasting success.
- Trust timing. Understanding that progress often unfolds gradually has helped her maintain perspective.
- Stay rooted in values. Despite success, she remains anchored in empowerment, culture, and elegance.
- Turn no into action. By reframing rejection as redirection, she continues to push beyond limits.
Legacy & Inspiration
Melika’s vision extends beyond sneakers. She aspires to establish a cohesive global ecosystem of brands centered on bold individuality, cultural depth, and timeless elegance. Most importantly, she wants to be remembered as a woman who redefined boundaries—someone from the Middle East who built global luxury brands with style, strength, and soul.
Her hope is to inspire individuals—especially women—to believe they can lead in traditionally male-dominated industries. She fights stereotypes through her story: of an Iranian woman who made sneakers in Milan, with gold-crafted passion and Persian pride.
Where She’s At Today
- Leading Lakilem as it gains global recognition
- Expanding to the UAE, with an upcoming concept launch
- Developing philanthropic collections for auctions and social good
- Inspiring future generations, particularly rising women entrepreneurs and designers
Melika Najafizadeh has mastered how to fuse heritage, innovation, and empowerment in her brand and her life.
Why This Story Matters
This is more than a profile of a young fashion entrepreneur—it’s a blueprint for breaking barriers. Melika’s story weaves together global education, cultural adaptability, entrepreneurial drive, and brand-building savvy. She proves that perseverance, creative vision, and rootedness in identity can transform personal passion into meaningful legacy—and that luxury fashion can carry profound cultural narratives. Do follow her on Instagram.
Read More: Emirates Airline Launches Free Shuttle Service for Economy Flyers
