Ahmed’s First Rodeo: Midwest Cowboy
June 20, 2023 — Interviews
Starting a brand wasn’t on Ahmed Ali’s radar. With a background in health science and business, there was no intention to launch a label in the fashion industry; he fell into it. During a 2018 trip to NYC that coincided with National Cowboy Day (July 28th, to be precise), Ahmed started to refer to himself as a Midwest Cowboy throughout the day—so much, in fact, that he got to the point where he wanted to put it on a shirt.
“When the name originally came to mind in 2018, I kept telling myself I NEED to get this on a shirt. I didn’t do anything until August of 2019.” Ahmed had a friend from a summer ‘19 internship in Milwaukee that kept encouraging him to buy a sewing/embroidery machine. “It was something I kept pushing off. Until one random day, instead of an impulsive purchase on airpods, I bought a sewing machine. Best decision ever.”
![Two models pose against a bright red background. Each wears blue jeans, boots, and the same Midwest Cowboy white crisp button down.](https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=2400&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=13b08c6b6cc65ff14caab7dfab3e9ce2 2400w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=2160&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=aedf2a21af0c3d3051496d315ee64f99 2160w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=1920&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=e6063cd984b6c076d51b6ec150d3fe34 1920w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=1680&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=cad3321b80ed33985a5e3b009a43ba46 1680w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=1440&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=d2b3aae87388df85e02c191567f80e3f 1440w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=1200&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=4cb69803e68686055ec55ccd2cd1a133 1200w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=1080&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=be9b1f30c9f9ab0482f2bd15864c9954 1080w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=554e9583557726dbe25a1ebc05f8ae4e 960w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=65737196e2ea476bb786508fd93d5555 720w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=640&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=7ae79cc3a98f3923afaca4a190112895 640w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3889.jpg?w=480&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138731&s=89aa4f6af9bf8403cdf95ffb8b2409fb 480w)
![Model wears blue jeans and a white Midwest Cowboy daisy top with their hands behind their back.](https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=2400&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=1426524dafe27e4181c63d38752235e4 2400w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=2160&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=7bfa8affd11d8f1144237bcdfb872bb3 2160w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=1920&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=5a1068f2559c63a5d54335a3c98394ac 1920w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=1680&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=7dde509fdc76db914f566f800eef037e 1680w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=1440&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=f4c39cf58a336a2d33a44c29723d3e62 1440w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=1200&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=7c53bdd721755080f302d1d25aebbc6e 1200w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=1080&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=247be526a5e9236fd209718b47777561 1080w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=ecdadc065e99edd3105faf19386d5ba9 960w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=cadf7497e527a9350881d9b7fe7bd07f 720w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=640&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=943fd1273ed3fca8b46c8e0e6d17ab4b 640w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3890.jpg?w=480&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215701&s=458c8b52c7a3b510fadcc256d531e007 480w)
Photographed by Isaiah Joseph
From there, Ahmed started to embroider and sew everything he owned with MIDWEST COWBOY. Soon his “whole wardrobe was tagged with it.”
“I started to have friends and strangers ask about it, and I knew I had something special. During that time I could only make a few pieces, which was fine but I wanted to offer more. So I picked up screen printing in Feb 2020, which is where everything really started. When I started screen printing in my bedroom during COVID, I was able to sell shirts and buy essentials like groceries. That’s when I knew I wanted to go all in and make this thing work. Mind you, I never had an interest in starting a business or anything, but Midwest Cowboy lit a fire in me to build something bigger than me.”
![Ahmed in the studio](https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=2400&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=9ae6667ef338e7e7ceea33374f1fb183 2400w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=2160&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=3f712ff19fea9523da4a10757058f443 2160w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=1920&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=51a810a9d3ad8f6f1437697d865b5035 1920w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=1680&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=bc6fb5c2eeb0da36ebacf5098dee8ed2 1680w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=1440&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=a6c20e795d8efe26d16e94eaf1ba22f8 1440w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=1200&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=459399feeea9b1678f8db46b4d4daf47 1200w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=1080&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=f343e204cf6ddc3d4dd5c2c05c5390f1 1080w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=b95d9d496433cac0a13288fa54a48fcb 960w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=b540b5d5c4d83cd0c58c8b75e86c6417 720w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=640&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=5d6bc0c759dbde93b4127d358afb7c44 640w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3892.jpg?w=480&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138742&s=7a94f4fd6bb9755a0a7db19f1d2f8e78 480w)
![Ahmed stands in his studio next to a giant screen printing machine. He holds a bag full of Midwest Cowboy t shirts.](https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=2400&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=d434d33d6a6839705f4a97b8c440e660 2400w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=2160&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=ca0f85575249b89f936470d8c340135f 2160w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=1920&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=3639ae30a9990ae56f18d455d6830507 1920w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=1680&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=4f015d7b1640e5339c6a8880e632d85c 1680w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=1440&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=c542e5887b579541ca7141151ca235fb 1440w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=1200&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=e762d6b6e33f1948240e6fcb706f2fb9 1200w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=1080&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=5c2e692bdd8f024fa54d590b97525ad7 1080w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=67bdc3420bb090ccd87aaa67355f484c 960w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=72b8ac9b2ae5f9b20fa2c7807c45f988 720w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=640&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=232c3e26f60263f1c649b3bb4c63abe3 640w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_3891.jpg?w=480&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138766&s=60eec006b1a22095ef5879c2b87808b3 480w)
Ahmed, originally from Somalia, grew up in Minnesota. For university, he moved to Milwaukee to pursue a degree in health science. “My background is completely health science/business and zero experience in the arts whatsoever, so everything you see from Midwest Cowboy was all due to Youtube University. I dipped my toes in the fashion industry because I wanted to have my own unique pieces, whether it was a screen print logo on my shirt or some embroidery work on a button up. I only wanted stuff that no one else had, which meant a lot of experimenting and repurposing clothes I already owned.”
![Ahmed stands in his studio wearing a Midwest Cowboy shirt with a cowboy lassoing the night stars.](https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=2400&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=7de4a667daba4d6634e1bd0e36df036a 2400w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=2160&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=c05a948798da0c09817bf038e56ccd0e 2160w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=1920&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=0ee73a6e071de71e812baca470065308 1920w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=1680&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=a20ec5090c97a769980f40aca13bf1bd 1680w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=1440&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=233008e6c3a6313d78ce038d4a5e28b1 1440w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=1200&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=4c438451b2a4aeb615474104de91f62f 1200w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=1080&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=d8a750e5fd2be708c9d8126b471288b4 1080w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=689eca000d0ca2b3e47ddab7f2558585 960w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=eec849e5339644ae20a22e5407977a89 720w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=640&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=731476df3322f0e1f7d85c3afd144faf 640w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-5.19.48-PM.png?w=480&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687215877&s=82cdcb99b6363f6c9482934d0f5042a9 480w)
"Midwest was used as a term to refer to the Midwest region as Unidentifiable, and as a first generation immigrant I’ve always felt ‘unidentifiable’ growing up. Midwest Cowboy was created to combat the feeling of being unidentifiable and through the brand I want to create a community of people, not only from the Midwest, but for people everywhere who have felt unidentifiable. Midwest Cowboy is a state of mind that can be expressed through anyone."
![Ahmed sits on the floor of his studio wearing a red t shirt and jeans. Next to him is a template for another Cowboy screenprint.](https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=2400&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=f884e5131eee5b6fe5c0e61e3f70d388 2400w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=2160&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=9bab74ee82d0314514a3c251c8d4ff12 2160w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=1920&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=432c3d90a3ce744861c13b5e62e36ef3 1920w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=1680&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=fef7c724befa9cc441216fcb4c645cc7 1680w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=1440&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=b5ab2f66a70a727c4a8605e505ecedc7 1440w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=1200&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=880a64d3008e861f8bd1691bca0ff0d4 1200w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=1080&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=c7638e6743f57daa50f565ff8ee2ccf8 1080w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=6d52d344dbfb0217cea2c6dad4dfad73 960w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=06c8f816755a73f2292870e8ba875380 720w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=640&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=02e66e9f42ddcc6e642e5fe47393109f 640w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG-2719.jpg?w=480&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687284152&s=b8933364709f0cb17b32503abc0ded84 480w)
Rapid fire questions with Ahmed...
Last TV show you watched?
Severance on Apple TV
Do you like cowgirls?
Yes!!
Would you rather wear cowboy boots or a cowboy hat?
Boots
Favorite article of clothing right now?
Born To Howl T-Shirt that I recently cropped
What is the purpose of life?
Enjoy the little things and be unconditionally you.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
George Heaton- Founder of Represent
![White Midwest Cowboy shirt with a green snake and two skeleton cowboys leaning back to back.](https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=2400&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=0e23db6b2ddd9b545b4a53cef557a478 2400w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=2160&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=8fd9ba05535a795f06672cc378566850 2160w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=1920&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=3d1fc4cd43a87b40dd47d08a6235084d 1920w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=1680&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=1c727f39ba855f4fcf2b65ab8c2a9d9f 1680w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=1440&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=8cb8f7eb5237c2ce048c6fb3b48c7e93 1440w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=1200&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=991dd23d34ccc23f7c563a5714daed47 1200w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=1080&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=f4ad0054afa69987866dca21cf312cd5 1080w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=515c044b8f121d917b1bb00e52ed8978 960w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=328b4c8bb8c99bcf25b01e56c16ca395 720w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=640&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=2b8c53cca5a87814dc429bada2915307 640w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5514.jpg?w=480&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138846&s=ce16368de3b44eeff88b790ef08f9f20 480w)
![A stock image of two corduroy tote bags. One is white with a sketch of cheerleaders on it. The other is a black back with sign language letters.](https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=2400&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=21b258c320508357e0155df48e033ad0 2400w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=2160&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=ffb4040e583f3e0974b435ae63c925a2 2160w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=1920&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=2bd8421e48090074016868044d05b961 1920w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=1680&q=60&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=2bf6fb1bd51e2b7b738f59d8abb384bf 1680w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=1440&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=b4542ea229d6aa2468b4e38f3cbb6265 1440w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=1200&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=824b272e43f29b62ef8e67bde08c1aa8 1200w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=1080&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=a301b8a4c4742f4b0be1e5aa1175e4bc 1080w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=2388850385146cb504d74cffde1b693b 960w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=cc15658df676c8d7b4a77c182722823e 720w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=640&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=150efb042e20f283e0a9ecff87cba442 640w, https://transforms.noihsafbazaar.com/production/uploads/IMG_5515.jpg?w=480&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1687138894&s=436ce94579045173fb19e9f3cf7cf6ab 480w)
Part of Midwest Cowboy's next installment: a limited run of an Ouroboros shirt and corduroy totes
Stay tuned for Midwest Cowboy's next drop, happening June 22nd. Set your clocks; you won't want to be late to this rodeo.
Follow Ahmed on Instagram for more.