Elif Kavakci on BBC World

Designer Elif Kavakci was interviewed a little while ago for a BBC World documentary called 'American Muslim - Faith, Fear and Freedom'. The portrayal is quite positive; here's a short clip from the programme, and you can click to watch the whole show in part 1, part 2 and part 3. What do you think of it?

Product Review: Princess Rockz

Princess Rockz is an online business selling hijabs and accessories, and is run by Aalia who you might recognise from the YouTube channel alz786uk. I was recently sent the Midnight Blue Maxi Crinkle Hijab to review.

First Impressions

Princess Rockz stock a range of Maxi Crinkle Hijabs in various prints. The product pages provide a link to Aalia's YouTube tutorial for these hijabs, which I think is very useful for customers since you get to see the scarf 'in action' before you buy.

The label 'maxi' is a very apt one - this scarf is huge! According to the website, it measures 187cm x 100cm, though the width may vary a little depending if the scarf has been stretched out. The fabric is 100% polyester and is very soft to the touch. The colour is a dark, denim-y kind of blue with a scattered leopard print. Here's a close-up of it:

Wearability

Being a 'maxi' hijab, there are a lot of options for ways to wear it; personally I preferred to fold the scarf over at least two-thirds of the way to make it easier to wear. The crinkle texture means that this scarf means that it lends itself quite well to creating hijab styles with volume, rather than sticking closely to the head. The fabric is quite robust and tolerates pins well; it also doesn't slip around too much, if you prefer not to wear undercaps. The style of the scarf is great for more casual, everyday outfits. This is just a quick shot of how the hijab looks like worn in a basic, wrap-around style from the back (no flower clips or extra scarves used!):

Overall

I love the colour and the print of the fabric, and the crinkle texture adds a bit of fun to your hijab style. I found the size a little too large for me, but it's great if you like to create folds and volume, and provides plenty of coverage.

Edit: It seems the Midnight Blue Hijab is out of stock on the website, but it's also available in brown and grey versions!

Friday Styleflash

Amirah Fashions have revamped their website and introduced a new loyalty points programme!

Haute Hijab have a Black Friday Sale starting midnight (ET), with $30 off all clothing and free shipping when you enter the code 30BLACKFRI at checkout.

Wahat Aljalabiya have a 25% off sale across their website until Monday 28th November.

Back to Basics: Maxi Skirt Style

A black maxi skirt may be a wardrobe basic, but there's no shortage to the combination of outfits you can put together with it. Cardigans, blazers, jackets, shirts and vests all work well; though I'm still loving blouses at the moment. I've paired this skirt with a grey silky blouse, patent black shoes and printed scarf for a simple work-to-evening outfit:

Black belted maxi skirt £25, River Island; Blouse with side knot £39.99, Zara; Grey tonal croc satchel £39, Dorothy Perkins; Grey abstract animal scarf £15, Wallis; Grey dome diamante ring £8, River Island; Bremen black patent shoe £69.99, Jones Bootmaker.

Jakarta Fashion Week 2012

Jakarta Fashion Week recently took place November 12th-18th, and Day 3 saw several runway shows dedicated to 'Muslimwear', featuring many prominent Indonesian designers. As always, there was no shortage of 'wow factor', yet more wearable designs were also shown. Here are a few of my favourite looks from the runway:

Dian Pelangi

Jeny Tjahyawati

Hannie Hananto

Iva Lativah

Merry Pramono

Monika Jufry

Tuti Adib

Images: Getty Images

Product Review: Sayrah

Sayrah is a new Singaporean company who have recently launched their website. They provide clothing including skirts, tops and dresses, as well as hijabs and accessories. I was sent the Serena lace top with belt to review.

First Impressions

The top arrived from Singapore in just 6 days, and Sayrah also provided a tracking number for the order via SingPost. The package also came with a little shopper bag, which is currently being sent with orders over $60. The top itself is made of polyester chiffon, in a lovely deep purple colour, which is true to the photo on the website. There is a lace trimming around the neckline and the hem, and it also comes with a removable skinny black belt. Here's a close-up of the neckline and sleeve:

Sizing

According to the website, the top is only available in sizes 12-16 UK, though these feel like they run small, and realistically the 16 is more of a 14. I ignored the actual numbers and just requested a size according to the meausurements on the size chart, and found this to be a really good fit. Although the top has an elasticated waistband, the fit around the top is still quite loose. Here's a photo (albeit in low lighting, so the colour isn't accurate) to give you an idea of the fit:

Wearability

This top is really comfortable to wear and is fully lined, so you can get away with minimal layering. The sleeves are opaque although they don't have an extra lining, though in strong light and flash photography they may appear sheer. On me, the top hits just above the knee, so is great for wearing with straight-cut trousers.

The lace along the hem, especially where it overhangs the fabric, is very delicate and easily damaged, and threads do have a habit of coming loose.

Overall

I was really impressed by this top from Sayrah and it's definitely become one of my wardrobe favourites. The design is simple yet the little touches like the lace and button sleeve make it feel really special. And not forgetting of course the fact that it ticks all the boxes in terms of being hijab-friendly!

Friday Styleflash

New Collections

IloveModesty have just launched a range of new abayas.

Demure Look are stocking a new range of Salamanje 'scarf in a box'.

New Kids on the Block

Saby H is a New York-based designer who has just launched her range of luxury scarves.

Offers and Sale Alerts

Bokitta have a competition on their website to win 10 of their Voila! ready-to-wear scarves.

Bonus November Giveaway

For the second giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win a Flower Burst Skirt from Zeena!

To be in with a chance of winning, you must do two things:

1. Become a fan of the Zeena Facebook page.

2. Answer the following question: 'Where would you wear the Flower Burst Skirt?'

Send an email in with your answer, along with your full name and city with 'Bonus November 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. The deadline for entries is midnight GMT on Thursday 24th November 2011. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted via e-mail.

Don't forget to tell all your friends and family too; but please note the giveaway is open to entrants from the UK, USA and Canada only.

Rabia Z Tutorials

All you Rabia Z fans will be eager to know that the website has recently been redesigned with online shopping facilities, though stock is still in the process of being added. A lot of you also requested tutorials for the hijab styles that Rabia Z herself wears, as well as the models in her fashion shows. And you've got just that; check out the Rabia Z. TV YouTube channel.

This video below shows how to wrap the Signature Jersey Sheyla. I can vouch for the fact that these scarves are brilliant; the fabric is really high quality and soft to the touch, and best of all you don't need pins to keep it in place! Strangely enough, when I received my jersey sheyla from Rabia Z, I was experimenting with styles and came up with something almost identical. I really am a wrap-and-go kinda girl, and this style I also found is ideal for when using a stethoscope, so I'm wrapping it like this quite often these days.

SnS 2011 - The Fashion Show

The fourth annual Smoky not Smudgy charity event took place last week on Saturday 5th November at Imperial College. For the first time I was able to sit back and enjoy the event, and it was great to see so many of you there, as well as get to meet the people behind some of our favourite brands. I must say it's also a bit surreal to have such a large souk area (with hijabs, clothing, jewellery and lots of cupcakes) on the medical school campus! This was the second year that a fashion show was held at SnS, and things were clearly a lot calmer backstage than they were for us the first time round! A variety of designers showcased their clothes, including Nisaa, Ayeda Couture, ZNZ Fashion, Moroccan Kaftans, Dina Toki-O and fellow medical student Emma Amoafo.

I know these photos have been long coming, so apologies for the delay! I was limited in the number of photos I could put up here for various reasons, but enjoy anyway. Many thanks to the awesome Nadiah Hashim for snapping them:

Nisaa

Moroccan Kaftans

ZNZ Abaya

Dina Toki-O

November Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Nehan S from Dubai, UAE for winning the November Giveaway!

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

Friday Styleflash

Website Updates

The Rabia Z website now has online shopping facilities so you can purchase pieces from her collection direct.

Pinz Pinz Pinz have added lots of new hijabs and accessories to their website.

Offers and Sale Alerts

Akhawat Abaya Couture have a end-of-season sale on their designs.

SixteenR are giving 10% off all their scarves, just use the discount code 16RFBFan at the checkout.

Zeena have a sale on with up to 30% off selected clothing.

Effa AW 11/12

Effa Al Dabbagh is a Saudi designer, based in the UAE, but who studied here in the UK. She launched her first prêt-a-porter collection in 2006, followed by abayas in 2007. Her latest collection for Autumn/Winter 11/12 has just been launched, and is based on 1940’s glamour. I love the luxurious feel of both the abayas and dresses, with rich silks and satins in jewel tones a main feature, as well as pleat detailing and floral patterns.

Many modest clothing designers tend to stick only to 'hijab' clothing, and ignore the fact that a lot of women also want fairly modest cuts even for ladies' only events. But I love the fact that Effa uses her talent to provide both abayas for outerwear, and beautiful evening gowns for special occasions. Effa's designs can be bought online at the 3abaya website.

Abaya Couture

Ready to Wear Collection

Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak to everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends. And congratulations to all those completing their Hajj!

Friday Styleflash

New Collections

Hijab Fashion Shop have just launched a range of new abayas.

Offers and Sale Alerts

Al Kawthar have a Hajj sale on, ending this Sunday 6th November.

Canadian brand N-ti have a sale on selected hijabs, tops and skirts.

Symmetry Fashion have a site-wide Eid sale on with 25% off their pin-free scarves and headbands, when you enter the code EID25 at checkout. Sale ends November 11th 2011.

Imzadi Couture are giving Hijab Style readers 10% off all orders with the code ummah10. Valid until February 28th 2012.

Abaya Inspiration - Hanbok

Traditional Korean dress or 'hanbok' lends itself well to modest dressing. Check out these photos from the HanBok fashion show which was held on October 21st in Seoul. These modern designs make awesome abaya inspiration:

Images: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Product Review: SixteenR

The philosophy behind SixteenR is that "the scarf can be a tool of empowerment". Founder Nancy Hoque doesn't just sell scarves through her website, but works to promote this concept. With an innovative take on style, design and photography, SixteenR really stands out amongst other hijab brands. I recently worked on a collaborative style feature for their blog called Edited by Hijab Style, and was later sent the My Blue with Spots scarf from their Supersonic Collection to review!

First Impressions

The scarf arrived in a regular brown padded envelope, and came with a business card and a little badge as below:

The scarf itself is very lightweight, made from a smooth, mesh-like fabric, which I'm pretty sure is polyester, though there is no fabric label, nor any information on the website. I measured it at about 198 x 55cm. The scarf is quite see-through at one layer thick, but long enough to wrap twice or three times so not too much of a problem when worn. What I did notice is that the black polka dots are not as vibrant against the blue background as they appear on the website. The scarf is a dark royal blue, and I've tried to take a picture as close as possible to the actual colour:

Wearability

Due to the fabric, the scarf tends to 'rustle' a little when worn, but does keep it shape well. It also looks neat and the print isn't overpowering - just adds a hint of interest to a plain outfit. I found that I needed to wear a cotton undercap (as I always do anyway) as the scarf was a little slippery on it's own. The delicate fabric also means care is needed when using pins.

Overall

Generally I really loved the colour and the print of the scarf, which is more unique than the usual hijabs being sold. Although the fabric is also quite nice, I found the stiching at the edges to be poorly done, with holes already appearing on one edge. I'd also like to see more product information on the website, including fabric, size and care instructions.

November Giveaway

For the first giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win a Pleated Ruffle Belted Dress from Modern Mary!

To enter all you have to do is become a fan of the Modern Mary Facebook page, and 'Like' this photo on their page. Send an email in with your full name and city with 'November 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.

The deadline for entries is midnight GMT on Thursday 10th November 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!