How do you combine Western fashion with a Muslim dress code?
Fashion is a form of self-expression. It's all about experimenting with looks and, in many cases, attracting attention.
The Islamic headscarf, or hijab, is exactly the opposite. It's about modesty and attracting as little attention as possible.
However, a growing number of Muslim women are successfully blending the two.
They get inspiration from the catwalk, the high street and fashion magazines, and they give it a hijab-friendly twist - making sure that everything except the face and hands are covered.
They are known as Hijabistas.
Jana Kossiabati is editor of the blog Hijab Style, which gets as many as 2,300 visits a day from across the world, including Africa, Middle East and the United States.
"I started two-and-a-half years ago," says Jana, who is British of Lebanese origin.
"I'd seen so many fashion blogs and so many Muslim blogs but hadn't seen anything specifically dedicated to the way Muslim women dress.
"I started my own site to bring together elements of what Muslim women are looking for and to make mainstream fashion wearable and relevant to them."
Fitting In
Jana says one of the reasons why so many young Muslim women are reading hijab fashion blogs is that the Muslim fashion industry is lacking inspiration.
"I get comments on my blog from people saying that the clothes offered to Muslim women are too Islamic looking - they look very ethnic, very foreign," says Jana.
"Young Muslims are increasingly looking for fashion that doesn't set them apart from the rest of society."
According to Jana, events such as 9/11 and 7/7 also had an effect on fashion-conscious Muslim women.
"Our generation became more aware of their identity when were thrust into the limelight after 9/11 and 7/7 and other events of the past decade or so. We were forced to deal with people questioning our faith, our identity and the way we look."
This may have prompted some women to choose to wear the hijab - but it also increased the urge among many young hijab-wearing women to fit in.
Experimentation
Hana Tajima Simpson is a fashion designer who converted to Islam five years ago.
In the beginning, she found it very hard to find her own style while following hijab rules.
"I lost a lot of my personality through wearing the hijab at first. I wanted to stick to one mould and look a certain way," says Hana, who comes from a British and Japanese background.
"There was a certain idea I had in my head about how a Muslim woman should look which is the black Abaya (baggy dress and scarf), but I realised that this is not true and that I could experiment with my looks, while being modest.
"It took a lot of trial and error to a find a style and a look I'm happy with."
Hana regularly blogs about her designs at Style Covered. While all her clothes are suitable for women who wear the hijab, she says she doesn't design with a specific group of people in mind.
"Frankly I design for myself.
"I think about what I'd like to wear and design it. I have many non-Muslim customers as well, so my designs are not targeted at Muslims alone."
Celebration
Designer Sarah Elenany's clothes are quite different from Hana's - more urban and sporty.
Islamic prints feature heavily on almost all of her outfits, including images of minarets and hands being extended to the heavens in prayer. They are religious, but far from traditional.
"My label is a celebration of Islamic culture and art and it's not apologetic. It says' this is it, this is us. I wanted to design prints and clothes that Muslims could look at and instantly identify with," says Sarah.
But doesn't the showy nature of fashion contradict the essence of Hijab?
Sarah disagrees. Fashion is about expression "and this is a legitimate part of Islam," she says.
Jana adds, "Islam doesn't prescribe rigid rules of colour or style it just says these are the areas you need to cover, the rest is really up to you."
Brothers & sister don't forget the 6 fasts of Shawwal
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari(ra) narrated, the Prophet(SAW) said, "Whoever fasted Ramadan with the then connect with the (fasting) six days in Shawwal, the (reward) as he was fasting for a year." (Muslim,Abu Dawood,al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaai & Ibn Maajah).
Re: Muslim designers mix the hijab with latest fashions
These are the people that we need to be aware of.
Sisters should stay away from such people. Hijab breathes modesty. What has fashion got to do with it? These sisters are lost.
May ALLAH(SWT) make it easy for all the sisters to wear Hijab properly & according to the Sunnah. Ameen.
Brothers & sister don't forget the 6 fasts of Shawwal
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari(ra) narrated, the Prophet(SAW) said, "Whoever fasted Ramadan with the then connect with the (fasting) six days in Shawwal, the (reward) as he was fasting for a year." (Muslim,Abu Dawood,al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaai & Ibn Maajah).
Re: Muslim designers mix the hijab with latest fashions
You "could" dress nice while being modest but in this video, that's not exactly happening lol :/ The main area is not even covered on them! I won't say what part but you get the idea...
*Without Allah, without Islam, life would be meaningless. If I've ever learned patience, it's because of this. Alhamdulillah...*
Re: Muslim designers mix the hijab with latest fashions
format_quote Originally Posted by Ummu Sufyaan
hijab and fashion
can it get any more contradictory?
Heh, like the first two sentences:
Fashion is a form of self-expression. It's all about experimenting with looks and, in many cases, attracting attention.
The Islamic headscarf, or hijab, is exactly the opposite. It's about modesty and attracting as little attention as possible.
In the video, the sister talks about how it's okay to be plain and that you could always be more fashionable and by being more fashionable you'll fit in more. (urgh.)
The video is unbelievable. It's all about fitting in the society and being up to date with the latest fashion. How is that modest?
You "could" dress nice while being modest but in this video, that's not exactly happening lol :/ The main area is not even covered on them! I won't say what part but you get the idea...
Tell me about it. It reminds me of this video I saw on Muxlim, it was basically the same thing but with the swim wear. La huwla wa la quwatta ila bila.
So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).
Surah al-Ĥijr(The Rocky Tract) 15:98
Re: Muslim designers mix the hijab with latest fashions
I read the header on BBC few days ago. And I didnt even bother clicking on it because it does not make any sense. Its just ticks me off when they do all these fashion shows and claim to be muslim.
Then how can you avoid the punishment, if you disbelieve, on a Day that will make the children grey-headed?
Sura Al-Muzzammil 73:17
Re: Muslim designers mix the hijab with latest fashions
format_quote Originally Posted by shuraimfan4lyf
I read the header on BBC few days ago. And I didnt even bother clicking on it because it does not make any sense. Its just ticks me off when they do all these fashion shows and claim to be muslim.
They are Muslims though? Your comments seem to imply they are not. Be very careful with your words brother.
Back on topic, I hope this trend doesnt 'catch on' as its going against the whole purpose of wearing the hijab which is to not attract attention.
Re: Muslim designers mix the hijab with latest fashions
format_quote Originally Posted by Troubled Soul
They are Muslims though? Your comments seem to imply they are not. Be very careful with your words brother.
Back on topic, I hope this trend doesnt 'catch on' as its going against the whole purpose of wearing the hijab which is to not attract attention.
Brother what they are doing is not in the boundaries of Islam. They are not following the correct way of covering and making hijab a "fashion". Khayr I did not intend any harm in my words. Forgive me for anything insha'Allah. Jazak'Allah khair. Wa salamu alaykum.
Then how can you avoid the punishment, if you disbelieve, on a Day that will make the children grey-headed?
Sura Al-Muzzammil 73:17
Re: Muslim designers mix the hijab with latest fashions
format_quote Originally Posted by Troubled Soul
Back on topic, I hope this trend doesnt 'catch on' as its going against the whole purpose of wearing the hijab which is to not attract attention.
It's a sad state of affairs when they get such coverage and sisters who have lack of knowledge will think its OK. If I'm not mistaken this trend has already started. It's far worse then what these sisters are promoting.
Brothers & sister don't forget the 6 fasts of Shawwal
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari(ra) narrated, the Prophet(SAW) said, "Whoever fasted Ramadan with the then connect with the (fasting) six days in Shawwal, the (reward) as he was fasting for a year." (Muslim,Abu Dawood,al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaai & Ibn Maajah).
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