Friday Styleflash

New Collections

SixteenR have recently launched their SuperSonic Collection of scarves. Check out our collaborative style feature, Edited by Hijab Style, on their blog!

Zeena have just launched their Fall 2011 clothing collection including skirts, shirts and suits.

Sale Alerts

Amirah Fashions have a sale on their jilbabs, as well some new flower brooches in stock.

The Maysaa sale is ending midnight this Sunday 2nd October.

Style Spotlight: Cobalt

Gareth Pugh, Fall 2011 (Image: Style.com)

Cobalt blue was a big hit for summer, and it looks like it's here to stay. I absolutely love this dress pictured above by Gareth Pugh; the colour is rich yet not overpowering like other bright shades can be. This season, I'm loving cobalt pieces paired with black, white, grey and silver for a smart, chic look. Here are a few hijab-friendly pieces you can find on the high street:

Colbalt pea coat £80, Wallis; Plisse maxi skirt £35, Warehouse; Tie front shirt £69.90, Mango; Blue shawl collar blazer £50, River Island.

Four Years On

Verona, June 2011 (Image courtesy of Sana Faruq)

Hijab Style is four years old today! It's interesting that I started blogging at the exact same time that I started at university, and I guess a lot of what I post here reflects that. I realise that readers will have noticed a significant decrease in the amount of new content I've been posting each week over the past year. It seems a bit redundant to apologise for that, as it really is an inevitability that with each year, medical school demands that much more of time, and I have that much less to dedicate to 'extra-curricular activities'. It also seems inaccurate to say that it upsets me, because whilst I do love to blog and post about new ideas, inspiration, and up-coming designers, at the end of the day I'm loving the learning process of becoming a doctor. That will (inshallah) be my vocation one day; not blogging.

That said I do hope you will still stick around and read whatever I do have the time to post up here. The Facebook page now has over 64,000 members so is a great place for everyone to share ideas and links. I can't say I know what the future holds for Hijab Style as a blog, but I'm content with enjoying the journey for now.

Happy Anniversary, HS.

Friday Styleflash

New Collections

ILoveModesty have released a new range of beautiful hijabs called the Volume Collection.

Haute Hijab have just launched their new clothing range for Fall 2011.

Bokitta's Voila! scarves are now available to purchase via their Facebook page.

Sale Alerts

Al Kawthar have an Eid sale on with up to 40% off their hijabs, abayas and accessories.

Style Staple: The Blouse

When it comes to deciding what to wear with a maxi skirt, I gave up on plain buttoned shirts a long time ago. I can never quite find one that fits well; without gaping at the front and bunching up at the back. Instead, I love lady-like blouses, which tend to be a looser and more flattering fit than the usual cotton shirts. You can also layer a thin t-shirt underneath for opacity if necessary. This season there's no shortage of beautiful blouses to choose from, which are ideal for work and evening wear. Try silky fabrics for a glamorous look; strong block colours for statement style or experiment with fun patterns like this star print:

Long Sleeve Teardrop Blouse £36, Topshop; Frill blouse £69.90, Mango; Light brown long sleeve tie front blouse £30, River Island; Star Print Blouse £45, Oasis.

Friday Styleflash

So the Friday Styleflash is a new weekly feature here on the blog. With an ever-increasing number of brands and companies catering to Muslim women, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest news and goings-on. So I decided to post once a week the links that end up in my email/Twitter/Facebook accounts, but never quite make it to the blog for various reasons. I'll try to include news of new collections, new brands and sales alerts, so without further ado...

New Collections

Akhawat Abaya Couture, who I previously blogged about here, have just launched their new website with online shopping facilities.

Elenany have just released their A/W 2011 collection, including coats and hooded dresses.

Maysaa have introduced their signature snoods and scarves in new colours (cream, white and navy), and have a sale on across their clothing line.

Aab abayas will now be available to buy in Dubai at the Soirée boutique.

And a quick reminder that Haute Hijab will be launching their new clothing range on Tuesday 20th September.

New Kids on the Block

There's been a large number of new hijab businesses set up on Facebook recently, often providing bespoke and handmade scarves. MH-Couture, Bb-Hijabs and NAS Boutique London are some that caught my eye. Anyone tried these companies out yet?

Sale Alerts

Setrms UK are having an end-of-season sale with up to 60% off selected items.

Masoomah have a sale on with up to 50% off their jilbabs.

Haute Hijab Clothing Line Launch

Back in December 2010, I posted an interview with the CEO of Haute Hijab, when they first launched their collection of re-conditioned, original vintage scarves. But as promised, their new clothing line will now be launching on Tuesday 20th September! I know I've been looking forward to this for a while; here are a few sneak previews of their Fall 2011 collection:

Style Notes: Antonio Berardi

Pre-Fall 2011

The holidays are over, and most us are probably back to our usual daily school/uni/work routine. But if anything, I think fashion does take a turn for the better around this time of year! Antonio Berardi included some beautiful modest looks in his Pre-fall 2011 collection. Using a few of my personal favourite looks this season - mixing luxe satins with plainer fabrics for daywear; and tailored wide-leg trousers, the style is grown-up chic but with a pop of colour to keep things interesting:

Images: Style.com

September Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to Tayibah T. from London, UK; Afeefah A. from Ontario, Canada and Sameena A. from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for winning the September Giveaway!

Your prizes will be making their way to you shortly. Keep an eye out for the next giveaway coming up soon!

High Street Hijab Finds

I can't recall the last time I bought a scarf from a high street shop; but every now and again you do come across a few gems; here are a few of my favourite picks for this season:

Top left to bottom right:

Claret blurred floral scarf £10, Dorothy Perkins; Grey butterfly print jacquard scarf £15, River Island; Leopard jersey stole £25, East; Pink floral print scarf £12, Wallis.

Banner Design Competition Winner

Congratulations to Nadia A from Antwerp, Belgium who has been chosen as the winner of the Banner Design Competition! There were over 100 fantastic entries, and it really was tough to pick just one winner. This design was chosen for its sheer elegance and simplicity, the beautiful colour scheme, and that it fits in with the overall style of the Hijab Style website. The final design will be uploaded as the official Hijab Style banner in a few days time.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered, but there is still time for you to choose who you think should be the runner-up winner!

Visit the Hijab Style Facebook page and 'Like' your favourite banners in this photo album. The banner with the most 'Likes' will win the runner-up prize! The deadline is 8pm UK time (BST) on Thursday 8th September - get voting!

September Giveaway

For the first giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving three readers the chance to win a scarf of their choice from the newly-launched Nora Collection at Noor D*Izar!

To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question: "What are the names of two of the scarves in the Nora collection?"

Send an email in with your answer, which scarf you prefer to win, along with your full name and city with 'September Giveaway' in the subject line to hijabstyle@hotmail.co.uk. Please note that if any of this information is missing, you will not be entered into the competition.

Extra Entries:

You can get an extra entry into the giveaway when you follow Hijab Style on Twitter! Simply send in a separate e-mail with your full name and link to your Twitter profile. The deadline for entries is midnight GMT on Saturday 10th September 2011. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted via e-mail.

Don't forget to tell all your friends and family too - the giveaway is open to entrants from all countries! You can check out Noor D*Izar on their Facebook page too!