The New Muslim Woman and Fashion

Islam is a religion of culture, and I daresay with its code of dressing, particularly for women as its biggest subculture. For the Muslim woman, the hijab represents an unmistakable cultural identity as well as a hallmark of religious modesty.

In simple terms, the hijab (also referred to as a head/face/body covering) is a veil or headscarf which covers the head, most parts of the face, the neck, and the chest. The hijab which I have nicknamed ‘the darling of Muslim fashion' is usually complemented by an apparel popularly known as Abaya.

Although not a Muslim, I was graced with the rare opportunity of witnessing the evolution of the combination of hijab and abaya over the years, as part of my growing up in the northern part of Ghana. Most of my female Muslim friends had often expressed the desire to uphold their virtue and decency in dressing as expected of them as Muslim women, while still avoiding that “one way'' look all the time. These conversations ignited my deep and sincere interest in fashion appropriate for the Muslim woman.

Generally, the use of hijabs allows women to be outdoors without drawing unwanted attraction from men. The world has however advanced, and fashion for the Muslim woman should not in any way be stagnant. The modern Muslim woman should thus be allowed to wear clothes that afford her comfort and confidence. The bottom line: the modern Muslim woman can actually look fashionable and chic in many ways even with the hijab, abaya or chador without compromising her modesty and decency as a Muslim woman.

Anam Shahid, a Muslim fashion blogger once posted that “my faith (Islam) teaches me that modesty is the best jewel of a woman, but modesty is a mindset”. I very much believe that besides appearance, modesty is also about how one carries one's self (I will talk more about my concept of modesty in another post).

As a fashion designer, I am of the opinion that women should dress in whichever apparel makes them feel comfortable and confident, and advice that clothing should be bold and vibrant yet not defying any cultural, religious or moral values. I thus understand the dilemma of the Muslim woman, and it is for this that I try my best to provide my Muslim clients with elegant and stylish look that does not compromise any religious values.

Below are images of some designs perfect for the modern day Muslim woman: