BIBI STAR x Columbia Spectator

Bibi’s brand is making poetry from the stars

BY LUCIA AUERBACH • DECEMBER 14, 2022 AT 1:32 PM published by Columbia Spectator

Aishah Bibisarah Bostani, who goes by Bibi, CC ’21 and GSAPP ’25, has always been in love with the stars. As a student, artist, designer, and architect, she strives to use her identity and passion for social justice to change the world.

Bibi is the founder of BIBI STAR, a fashion company boasting an ethical, sustainable, radical mission—and many stars. The fashion brand produces a range of pieces, including knitwear, graphic T-shirts, “star art,” jewelry, and more. The company supports social campaigns for marginalized communities through donations.

Bibi’s presence in the quiet Journalism School library was one of pure stardom. Bibi sat down the day after she completed a studio final for an architecture course and showcased the photos of her piece of sustainable pod hubs.

Bibi created star-shaped sustainable pod hubs where people throughout New York City could stop, take baths, and spend time in a community garden to share in her architecture project. The architectural plans were saturated with a plethora of colors, contrary to traditional models destined to be grayscale.

Before her first year at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, Bibi took two years off to complete a design fellowship at Barnard, during which she conceived BIBI STAR. During the fellowship, she merged her interest in architecture with style to create a brand based on sustainability in multiple industries—like fashion and infrastructure.

“It definitely is more of an idea [than a brand] because it embodies a lot more than whatever stage it’s at,” Bibi said. “I see it as this evolving community.”

Bibi calls it “star philosophy.”

“We’re all made out of stardust, every atom is made out of a dead star,” Bibi said.

Bibi still considers the company to be in the startup phase, a “slow burn” since 2020. During all that time, she has sold wholesale clothing that is screen printed and dyed differently, all inspired by her belief in the star philosophy of the interconnectedness of humanity.

BIBI STAR donates a part of its profits and works side by side with many grassroots organizations. The selected organizations share BIBI STAR's mission to “radicalize and reject contemporary capitalism in an effort to redirect the wealth and raise awareness in the greater social discourse.”

Bibi also incorporates her identity as an Afghan American into BIBI STAR: “Even in Islam, you might see a lot of star iconography, moons, and symbols like that,” Bibi said. “Also my mom’s name always made me think about stars. Her birth name is basically like a constellation.”

The designs Bibi produces for the brand mirror its mission. BIBI STAR features a set collection of pieces with some limited edition and one-of-a-kind items. The more limited styles are usually made from scarcer materials or require an attentive hand-made process.

The star philosophy alludes to the idea of collective consciousness, with stardust at the root of it. Bibi wants BIBI STAR’s customers to understand their connection to the world in a different light: to remove themselves from their individuality and start thinking about the future, and fashion, collectively.

Bibi said that fashion trends, like an increase in thrifting, can indicate a lot about the current social, economic, and political climate. BIBI STAR is trying to change the direction the fashion industry is moving in.

Fashion, to Bibi, is about striking a balance between fitting in with the changing times while also remaining timeless. With fashion trends being a reflection of the world around them, fast-fashion culture and unethical manufacturing processes concern Bibi.

“I think that the whole culture needs to change. I’m more concerned about the process … and how that needs to be completely rethought and restructured to actually promote positive relationships between all segments of the chain.” Bibi said.

The process of sustainably making her products has not always been easy for Bibi. Sustainably making clothes requires using textiles without creating that much waste, among other things, to create a more eco-conscious creation process. While she confides that she isn’t an “amazing seamstress,” through trial and error and the facilities at Barnard’s design center, Bibi was able to pick up necessary techniques along the way.

Bibi’s inspiration for her techniques focusing on sustainability can be seen in her early education. When she was a kid, she was inspired by Indigenous traditions of using the entirety of a buffalo once it was killed for meat. She emphasizes environmental awareness of the human labor that goes into each shirt, as well as being aware of textile waste that is frequently produced but that consumers too often ignore.

When Bibi sees her pieces being worn in public, she beams with pride. Those who have seen BIBI STAR grow over time resonate with the brand’s mission. Currently, most of her customers are her friends and friends of friends, along with the crowd she receives at the Ludlow Flea Market.

Columbia has pushed Bibi to take advantage of the opportunities around campus and the larger New York City area. She has been influenced by diverse conversations on campus, and other students’ grassroots projects. She also every so often takes inspiration from the rare class.

One of her professors, Mahmood Mamdani, left her with a message that was an impetus to create the world of BIBI STAR.

“If you don’t see yourself, make yourself seen,” Mamdani said.

Staff writer Lucia Auerbach can be contacted at lucia.auerbach@columbiaspectator.com. Follow her on Twitter @l_primrosee.