Hijab Style

Friday Styleflash

2012-01-27T17:20:00.000Z

New Collections

Amirah Fashions have lots of new arrivals online, including jersey jilbabs.

Offers and Sale Alerts

Dramafree have a sale on with up to 30% off selected items.

Helay are giving Hijab Style readers a 30% discount off all orders, when quoting the code hijabstyle. Valid until February 10th 2012.

Bonus January Giveaway Winner

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000Z

Congratulations to Selma I. from Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina for winning the Bonus January Giveaway!

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

Malaysian Style: Najjah Boutique

2012-01-24T09:47:00.000Z

Without a doubt, there are a lot of great brands here in the UK that cater for hijab, but that doesn't stop me from being curious about what's going on further afield. Malaysia is one of the leading countries in the international Muslim fashion scene, so I was definitely interested to find out about Najjah; a Malaysian company established in 2009. They also participated in the Islamic Fashion Festival in KL last year. From what I've seen, Malaysian style is colourful and fun, and Najjah's designs really reflect this. I know that a lot of us are hesitant to order from companies so far abroad, and Najjah recently approached me to review a few things for them, and let you know what I think.

Knit Tunic

This tunic was by far my favourite item. It's made in a simple, denim-blue coloured jersey, with a high round neck and gathered sleeves. The large sequin trim at the bottom adds a bit of glam and means you can easily dress this up with a blazer and black trousers for an evening out. The only issue I had (and this is a recurring one) was with the sizing. Although I was sent an XL, it was still quite fitted, and I probably wouldn't wear it without something over the top.

Buckle Dress

This dress consists of a red jersey long-sleeved top, attached to a brown cotton skirt, with buckle detailing on the left side at the waist. It is actually part of the teen collection (13-18 years) so again, there were issues with the sizing. Although the skirt is very generous, the top half is quite fitted, though a jacket over the top would work well. In terms of the colours, I found the red to be a little too bright, and along with the brown you're really restricted as to what hijabs and accessories you can wear with it.

Tudung Syria

This was a plain brown two-piece cotton Amirah scarf essentially. It is quite generously sized and comes down quite a bit at the front (as per the photos at the top).

Cotton Hoody and Satin Hoody

One of Najjah's more special designs are their hoodies. These are based on the concept of Moroccan hooded jellabas, but inspired by street-wear. They are designed to be worn over your hijab, and work with a slip-on or a wrap scarf. They come in a wide range of colours. It consists of a hood with an extended area over the chest and back. It can be worn open, or buttoned up like the top half of a jacket. The pictures should explain better!

I found these hoodies to be an interesting concept; and they're an easy way to get the loose, draped hijab look, without compromising coverage. In the right colours, I think the satin versions would look great for a special occasion, but some come too close to looking costume-y. I'd love to know what you think of them though - is this something that could catch on in the UK?

If you're thinking of trying out Najjah's products, they really are very helpful when it comes to enquiries. The one thing to watch out for is the sizing, but I understand they are looking to extend the range of sizes they offer, to accommodate overseas customers too. You can also check out their Facebook page which has plenty of style ideas using their products.

Hijab Style Exclusive: Helay Interview

2012-01-23T09:30:00.000Z

Helay is a new Facebook-based business that provides elegant, handmade scarves. I had a chance to meet Malalay, the designer behind the brand, at a charity event last year where I got to see the lovely scarves for myself. We had a chat about everything from blinged-out hijabs to uni life. Here's a quick interview with the lady herself, to tell us more about her business:

Jana: Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to start Helay scarves?

Malalay: My name is Malalay Tahir, I'm 19 years old and a Law student. I was born and brought up in London, the heart of fashion. I belong to a Muslim family, however was the first one to wear hijab. There were some objections, but Alhamdulillah for me it has been a wonderful five years. I always had a dream of bringing about a fashion revolution; at school I excelled in Design & Textiles and held an extreme passion for it. I would be sitting in my Chemistry class and would secretly be sketching for my Textiles coursework instead of working out chemical bonds. However, since I started wearing hijab there didn’t seem to be much choice available for hijabis. Therefore it is time for change and to illustrate that hijab can go hand in hand with modern fashion. We can dress with style and grace whilst still in keeping with the Islamic concept of hijab. That is why we not only concentrate on keeping our designs stylish and fashionable but also large enough to cover generously and to be styled however the client wishes to.

Jana: What people/places/things inspire your designs?

Malalay: Anything and everything inspires me! From Military Jackets to Pearl necklaces, I take into account different fashion styles that are up-to-date and try and implement them into my scarves. My overall aim is to design pieces that are one-off designs yet ensuring they are elegant, chic and for the modern day Muslim woman. There are plenty of stores out there that sell scarves, but at Helay we give you something completely special and unique.

Jana: What are your personal favourite pieces from your collection?

Malalay: My favourites would have to be the Pearl’a scarf in black and Blossom in pastel blue. The pleats and pearls add incredible charm and grace to an outfit. Another favourite would be the Military Scarf, its striking red colour combined with the soft black velvet and gold buttons state a true fashion revolution. The first time I wore it was to an Eid dinner with black wide leg palazzo trousers and a black blazer. I had at least 20 people coming to me asking where I got it from!

Jana: And how can we order your scarves?

Malalay: Helay designs to serve internationally and cater to customers who may prefer a certain design in a different colour to match their outfit. If you order from us after reading from this feature you will receive a 30% discount, when quoting the code hijabstyle (valid until 10th February 2012). At the moment our website is under construction, but in the mean time please continue to make your purchase by visiting our Facebook page where you can view our whole collection so far and order via email. Otherwise you may contact us through Twitter or our blog. The Helay Team is really grateful for all the support and appreciation we have received recently.We will soon be launching our next collection so do keep up with updates via Facebook, since we have some extremely exciting designs coming up!

Friday Styleflash

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000Z

New Collections

SixteenR launch their Spring 2012 collection today. You can also win one of their new designs in the Bonus January Giveaway.

Vela have just revamped their website and launched some limited edition hijabs.

Offers and Sale Alerts

Bellissima Scarves have a sale on now with up to 50% off selected scarves.

Couture Hijab Pins are offering customers 10% off all orders made over £5 in January.

Hijab Jewels are giving away a Swarovski Crystal bracelet on their Facebook page.

IslamicGems are having a clearance sale on their website.

Product Review: Dramafree

2012-01-16T10:00:00.000Z

Dramafree is new, UK-based online store for hijab accessories. They stock a range of pins, clips and corsages. I was recently sent the Ashia clip - Blue Black and the Silky Silver corsage to review.

First Impressions

The items arrived swiftly by first class post. Inside the envelope, the accessories are each attached to a card, with a beautiful dua on the back (just watch out when disposing of these!). The Ashia clip is a simple slide clip, which can be used to secure the edge of your hijab instead of a pin. The design itself is very pretty, without overdoing it on the bling! The gem at the end of the pin is more of a grey-black, and is lighter than appears on the website. The stem is a little stiff to open, and would probably be better for more hard-wearing fabrics.

The Silky Silver corsage is small (5cm diameter), and made of three layers of silvery-grey fabric and a white bead in the centre. It fastens using a simple pin at the back, but I did find this quite small and fiddly to handle. The corsage looks great on a hijab, or on a blazer or cardigan to just add a sweet little touch to your outfit (it's available in 10 different colours).

Overall

I love the simplicity and unusual designs at Dramafree (as well as the name!). Their products are different from the generic hijab pins out there, they are affordable and the customer service is great too!

Bonus January Giveaway

2012-01-15T10:00:00.000Z

For the second giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win a Farmer-Chic Gaamcha scarf from sixteenR! The scarf is part of their upcoming Spring Collection, which is due to be released on January 20th. You can watch a video tutorial using this scarf on the sixteenR YouTube channel.

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

1. Become a fan of the SixteenR Facebook page, and leave a comment on the page by completing the following sentence: "Scarves empower women because..."

2. Follow SixteenR on Twitter.

Send an email in with the link to your Twitter profile, along with your full name and city with 'Bonus January 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 Tuesday 24th January 2012. 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 the new collection on Jan 20th by visiting sixteenR.com.

Friday Styleflash

2012-01-13T11:00:00.000Z

New Collections

Abaya Collection have recently launched their new website with online shopping facilities.

Al Kawthar have a new range of hijabs and abayas just in.

Zeena have released their Winter Wonderland collection including tops, skirts and jewellery.

Offers and Sale Alerts

Hijab n Style are giving Hijab Style readers 10% off all orders with the code hijabstyle. Valid until January 31st 2012.

Aab have a sale on with up to 50% off selected abayas and hijabs.

LOSVE are having a site-wide clearance sale, with bargains starting from £3!

Maysaa's January sale is now on.

Vela Clothing have a sale on their clothing and accessories.

A Look Ahead: Rachel Zoe

2012-01-10T18:08:00.000Z

Spring 2012

The Spring 2012 collections have been out for some time now, but I wasn't quite ready to look at them until about now. Rachel Zoe's designs though have got me interested; she's included long, loose silhouettes for both smart and casual wear. And although the dresses are generously cut, there's still some shape to them. Blazers over maxis have long been a winning combination here at Hijab Style, so it's great to see these looks on the runways.

Images: Style.com

Wanted: One Assistant Editor

2012-01-09T10:36:00.002Z

For the past four years or so, Hijab Style has been a one woman show. Everything from keeping up with new designers and brands, putting together outfits, covering fashion shows, dealing with the masses of emails and maintaing the Facebook page (which just crossed the 81,000 fans mark!). When I first started blogging, it was easy enough, since frankly, there wasn't much of a 'style scene' at all! But since then, things have come in leaps and bounds, and I can hardly keep up with the huge number of emerging designers and companies. But in order to maintain Hijab Style as a leading blog for all things modest and style-related, it seems the time has come to get someone else involved.

This is why I'm now looking for an Assistant Editor to join me. I will be looking for someone to keep up to date with latest happenings from modest clothing brands (which includes putting together the Friday Styleflash feature), modest clothing on the high street, and maintain the Facebook page, with a view to writing more blog content according to your interest. Obviously this is not a paid position, but potentially something you could use on your CV, particularly if you're interested in journalism and/or design.

If you're interested, here's what you need to do:

1. Submit a sample blog post of your choice. It can be anything from a focus on a particular trend, designer or high street outfit, but must contain sufficient original content so I can get a feel for the way you write. This can be done in any format, such as a Word document

2. Write about 150 words explaining why you'd like to become Assistant Editor.

3. Email the above to hijabstyle@hotmail.co.uk with 'Assistant Editor' in the subject line; including your full name, age, city and occupation.

The basic requirements are that you need to be living in the UK and aged 18 or over. Other than that, I'm really looking for someone who is committed, able to work in a team and has a good understanding of Hijab Style, and its values and aims.

I look forward to hearing from you; the only way to keep Hijab Style going is with your help!

Product Review: Sal Design

2012-01-06T17:10:00.000Z

It's rare to come across a company that is passionate about more than just pushing sales, but about beautiful design and fair business practice too. Sal Design is one such gem. Founded by a Muslim woman of Yemeni and Thai heritage, she provides unique jilbabs which are handmade by skilled tailors in Thailand.

I was recently sent the Midnight Gown Cappuccino and the Lemongrass in Denim (which is no longer available on the website, a but there is a similar Lemongrass Navy Blue) to review for the blog. Many of the designs are produced in limited quantities, so some of the finishing varies from one garment to another, hence the difference in the web pictures and mine below.

First Impressions

Browsing the site before I received the jilbabs, the designs looked somewhat simple to me. But as I found out, the photos really don't do the garments justice. What stands out for both jilbabs is just how well-made they are. The quality and workmanship is obvious; beautiful fabrics, excellent stitching and a flawless finish. The Lemongrass jilbab is a thick denim-look cotton with lighter fabric and a purple trim around the sleeves and neckline. The Midnight Gown was definitely my favourite; made from imitation raw silk, the fabric has a lovely texture and sheen to it. The jilbab has two layers; at the front the top layer is split to around waist height, with a rich brown fabric underneath.

Lemongrass

Midnight Gown Cappucino

Wearability

Both jilbabs are tailored to be slightly fitted. I did find however that whilst the fit was generally quite good, they were a little tight around the shoulders. And as I seem to mentioning a lot these days, at 5'3 I found the jilbabs a little too long for me. Both designs have a concealed zip in the centre back. The Midnight Gown, which is available in different colours, is perfect for special occasions like weddings. The design is luxurious, yet elegant and simple. The Lemongrass is more of a casual jilbab for everyday wear. The heavy fabric though would make it more suitable for colder weather.

Overall

The Sal Design jilbabs I received are beautifully designed and made to last. And though I don't usually comment on price, since I find it quite subjective, I have to say that for the quality of the garments, the prices are incredibly reasonable. Especially considering what other companies are charging for their jilbabs, the Midnight Gown in particular looks and feels like something twice the price. What I would really like to see from the company now is matching hijabs, especially for the eveningwear jilbabs.

January Giveaway and Product Review: Wahat Aljalabiya

2012-01-04T21:26:00.000Z

Today's post is a giveaway and review in one...Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win a Tribal Treasures Silk Satin Jalabiya from Wahat Aljalabiya.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is click here to visit the giveaway page, and enter your email address and a description of the Tribal Treasures jalabiya in the comments box.

The deadline for entries is midnight GMT on Friday 13th January 2012. The best description will be chosen and the winner contacted via e-mail. Don't forget to tell all your friends and family too - the giveaway is open to entrants from all countries!

Read on for a review:

Wahat Aljalabiya are a Saudi-based company that relaunched their website late last year. They provide typical Middle Eastern-style dresses for casual and special occasions.

First Impressions

The fabric of this jalabiya is mainly a bright, orange and brown printed polyester (synthetic silk satin). Around the neckline, below the bust and on the cuffs is some beautiful embroidery, as well beads and sequins to give a 'jewelled' effect. Two different fabrics are used on the chest, a black velvet panel in the middle, and a black and orange striped fabric either side. There is also golden disc pendant in the middle.

Wearability

A detailed size guide is provided on the website for each jalabiya, since the measurements differ for each design. When measuring, I found the shoulder measurement to be difficult to determine, so it wasn't a reliable size indicator (chest and hip measurements were more accurate to use). The sizes on the website are quite generous. Despite being sent a size small, and the fact that the jalabiya is cut to be slightly fitted at the waist, it generally fits well, if slightly snug.

As the jalabiya is unlined, the fabric does tend to cling to you; so it's best worn with a slip underneath. It is also quite long, so you may need to shorten it depending on your height.

With such a busy design, the jalabiya needs little else to accessorise it; it would work well with a simple brown hijab, gold sandals and minimal jewellery. As the fabric is quite thin, and generally would look lumpy with anything worn underneath, it's not the sort of thing I'd feel comfortable wearing outside, but works quite well as a house dress. In the photo below, I've worn it with my jewelled 'princess' shoes I bought in Istanbul a few years ago:

Overall

I liked the cut of the jalabiya and the lovely embroidery and detailing. Although the overall print is too busy for my liking; and the lack of a lining lets down what is otherwise a well-made dress.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway here!

Product Review: Chic Hijabs

2012-01-03T17:38:00.000Z

Facebook has recently become a popular platform for newly formed hijab companies to sell their products. Chic Hijabs is one such store. I first came across them at the SnS 2011 event last November, and if you follow Hijab Style on Twitter/Facebook, you may remember the photo of the cupcake pincushion which I purchased from the Chic Hijabs stall.

The scarves that Chic Hijab sell are handmade, in the sense that the team source their own fabrics and then cut and hem them. This means most of their hijabs are available in a limited quantity. The girls recently sent me three hijabs from their Winter Collection to review; Rose Bud, A Spot of Velvet (in blue); and Midnight Rose (blue) .

First Impressions

The scarves arrived within one day of posting, which is pretty impressive. They were packaged inside plastic purple bags, and each scarf wrapped in black tissue paper, with a sprinkling of silver star confetti, of course!

A Spot of Velvet is a lightweight chiffon scarf embossed with small, navy blue velvet dots. Two other two scarves are made in similar fabrics; a medium-weight, printed poly-cotton blend. The scarves had all been neatly hemmed with a double fold but I prefer to fold the edge of the scarf over to hide this. Each scarf also had a little signature Chic Hijabs ribbon bow sewn onto one corner:

Wearability

The scarves are quite large, and measure as follows: A Spot of Velvet (180 x 80cm), Rose Bud (175 x 60cm), Midnight Rose (185 x 60cm). They provide enough fabric to just about wrap around twice. The Spot of Velvet is quite sheer and soft, but because of the textured nature of the fabric, it doesn't slip when worn. The other two scarves are soft, yet have enough thickness to create peaks and folds, and retain their shape. Their fabric is opaque and sturdy enough to handle pins. The prints themselves are bright and vivid, and so would look best worn with a plain outfit.

Overall

The scarves are generously sized, and are comfortable to wear. They have a wide variety of unusual and quirky prints available, though most are probably not for the faint hearted! Personally I'd like to see more product information such as size and fabric available on the Facebook page, but was otherwise impressed with the customer service and attention to detail.

Hijab Style Exclusive: Hijab House Interview

2012-01-02T15:16:00.000Z

Hijab House is an Australian clothing brand who recently launched their website. However, they are one of the few modest clothing companies that actually started out by opening a store in a shopping centre. Hijab House theme their collections around stories; such as Belle Express and Library Chic. Their latest collection is Ecuador Rose; check out the campaign video below and the exclusive sneak peek at photos from the lookbook:

I had the chance to interview Ashlee, head designer at Hijab House, and ask her a few questions about the brand:

Jana: How did Hijab House first start out?

Ashlee: Hijab House started out in June 2010 as a small, quirky store in a majorshopping centre in Sydney selling printed hijabs, abayas and comfyaccessories. Since then, HH has moved away from more traditionaloutfits and we're now creating feminine, modern pieces with anemphasis on youth and colour. It was actually started by a young man, Tarik, who saw his 19 year old sister struggle with finding clothes and hijabs to suit her style. He still tries every HH piece on her before they hit the shelves! There's also two designers and a lovely team of floor staff who assist customers with new ways of putting the hijab on. It's a really young, energetic team which very different tastes, but we love drooling over the latest catwalk trends.

Jana: Most modest clothing brands the world over operate solely through their websites. What made you decide to open a bricks-and-mortar store?

Ashlee: We opened a physical store to challenge both the Islamic fashion industry and the mainstream fashion industry. You could the imagine the look on everyone's face when we revealed the store in Metro Sydney (and we have a purposely MASSIVE mural of a Hijabi on our front wall). It was a shock-reaction. But we wanted a place where women could browse our selections, line up in a queue for an event and receive our cute carry bags. While buying online is convenient, nothing beats the magic of rummaging through a store and discovering an amazing piece that looks perfect with your outfit.

Floral Akito Skirt; Yellow Akito Skirt

Jana: What are you looking to provide with your collections, that's missing from the modest clothing market?

Ashlee: Colour! And most importantly, design aesthetic. We want our fans to pull off cool designer looks at affordable prices. Our Striped Sail dress pulls off a minimalist Jil Sander look for only $69.95.

Black Waisted Skirt; Striped Sail Dress

Jana: What's the story and inspiration behind your latest collection, Ecuador Rose?

Ashlee: For Ecuador Rose, we started off by looking at online bloggers and editorialists. We were inspired by street wear. Flowing dresses, modern cuts (see the detail in our knot dress) and lots and lots of mix and match colour. We then coupled these with designer pieces like Gucci's silk gowns from Fall 2011 and Jil Sander's summer skirts. We describe Ecuador Rose as a "safari circus with exotic minimalism".

Jana: When and where will Ecuador Rose be available?

Ashlee: Ecuador Rose is available in stores now and for online shoppers by mid January.

Brown 3/4 Safari Dress

Friday Styleflash

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000Z

New Collections

Aab have lots of new arrivals and limited edition abayas just in.

The Inayah Collection have just introduced Gracious; a new range of luxury hijab accessories.

Wahat Aljalabiya have a new Winter Collection in stock.

Offers and Sale Alerts

PinzPinzPinz have a sale on their medium-sized hijabs.

Shukr have a Winter sale on with upto 69% off selected items.

Islamic Gems have a New Year's sale on.

Bonus December Giveaway Winners

2011-12-29T10:00:00.000Z

Congratulations to Fardowsa M. from Stockholm, Sweden; Zehra H. from Surrey, UK; Qurathulain R. from Petaling Jaya, Indonesia; Siti N. from Selangor, Malaysia and Masooma H. from Slough, UK for winning the Bonus December Giveaway!

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

January Sale Finds

2011-12-28T17:36:00.001Z

This year, I've found the January sales to be a stressful, and not too productive experience. Certainly a lot of the shops in Westfield yesterday seemed more like a battle zone! But if you're going to brave the shops, here a just a few hijab-friendly sale finds to check out. Coats, knitwear, evening wear and tailoring are usually worth looking out for. Alternatively, avoid the crowds and shop online at your leisure (with a mug of hot chocolate, of course).

Grey Rhinestone Tunic £55, Kaliko; Hermia Cable Cardigan £45, Monsoon; Navy Belted Wide Leg Trousers £20, Topshop; East Knife Pleated Maxi Skirt £44.50, John Lewis.

Product Review: Couture Hijab Pins

2011-12-25T15:55:00.000Z

Couture Hijab Pins is new Facebook-based company run by two sisters who hand make and sell their hijab pin designs. I was recently sent the Swarovski Golden Crystal Maxi Drop Pin to review.

First Impressions

Inside the envelope, the pin arrived wrapped in pink tissue paper.

The pin really is beautiful; the design looks classy and elegant, without being garish at all. Both the stick and the chain measure about 6cm each. The chain is made up of alternating Swarovski crystals in both a golden brown and a deeper bronze, and ends with a Swarovski helix drop pendant. The pin itself is secured with a removable bell back.

Wearability

The colours of the pin are quite subtle so look great with a variety of hijabs, but especially shades of brown, cream and gold. As the pin is quite long, it's great for keeping thicker or layered hijabs in place, but I felt it was too large for thin or delicate fabrics. It stays in place very well and you can always choose not to use the bell back.

Overall

This lovely pin is great adding a touch of glam to an outfit. I love the fact that it is handmade; which just makes it that much more special than generic mass-made products. The customer service was good and the other pins in the range are just as pretty.

Style Spotlight: Maxi Skirts

2011-12-22T10:00:00.000Z

Fall 2011

I think we can safely say maxi skirts are here to stay. For a few years now, we've seen quite a range of designers incorporate this length into their collections. From casual, relaxed outfits to smarter, elegant ensembles, here's a look back at some maxi skirt looks from Fall 2011:

J. Crew

Tracy Reese; Bally

Carolina Herrera

Images: Style.com

Five of the Best: Neutral Knits

2011-12-21T11:00:00.000Z

Whilst putting together my last post; I came across lots of lovely knitted cardigans in cream, beige and grey. Here are my favourite five, from long, draped styles to cable knits:

Short slevees cardigan £19.90, Mango; Merino long cardigan £135, Toast; Cardigan £19.99, H&M; Cashmere blended cable v neck cardigan £19.90, Uniqlo; Cotton shimmer sparkle cardigan £98, Jigsaw.

Casual Luxe

2011-12-19T10:00:00.002Z

When it comes to casual dressing around this time of year, adding a touch of luxury can really make an outfit look well put-together, rather than scruffy and bland. In this outfit, I've mixed together different fabrics and textures in a fresh, warm colour scheme (here's hoping Spring is nearly here!). I love the colour of this shirt dress from Topshop; I've paired it with relaxed-fit navy chinos, a skinny belt loose at the waist and a long, slouchy cardigan. Add a printed hijab (this one looks to be a perfect match), jewelled flats and a quilted bag for a casual, yet luxe outfit. Swap the cardigan for a blazer, flats for heels, and add jewellery for a smarter evening look:

White Stuff Heirloom knit cardigan £65, John Lewis; Silk shirt dress £46, Topshop; Relaxed-fit high-waist trousers £16.90; Mango; Autumn Blues hijab £29.99, Aab; Navy mixed keeper belt £5, Dorothy Perkins; Pastel quilted lock across body bag £15, ASOS; Dostie flats £35, Aldo.

Friday Styleflash

2011-12-16T10:11:00.000Z

New Collections

Zeena have lots of new scarves and wraps in stock this week.

Offers and Sale Alerts

Amirah Fashions are giving 25% off all orders (excluding sale items) with the code 4DAY25SALE. Valid until Sunday 18th December 2011.

Hijab n Style are having a giveaway on their Facebook page to win a free hijab and pin.

Rabia Z have several promotions on at the moment; free shipping for orders over $300 with the code 62RZ1WC7SKAY; and a sale on their tops and dusters, and sheylas and hijabs until December 19th 2011.

Bonus December Giveaway

2011-12-15T16:52:00.002Z

For the second giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving five readers the chance to win any item of your choice from Pinz Pinz Pinz!

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

1. Become a fan of the Pinz Pinz Pinz Facebook page.

2. Visit the Pinz Pinz Pinz website and post the link to your favourite item on the Facebook page wall.

Send an email in with your full name and city with 'Bonus December 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 Saturday 24th December 2011. The winners 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!

December Giveaway Winner

2011-12-14T08:47:00.000Z

Congratulations to Shazia M. from Dubai, UAE for winning the December Giveaway!

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

Hijab Style Exclusive: Sophia Jennah Interview

2011-12-12T14:47:00.001Z

An exciting new website launched this weekend; Sophia Jennah is a stylish, affordable modest clothing brand, and today Hijab Style brings you an exclusive interview with the founder, Faisa Ismael.

Jana: Tell us about the people behind Sophia Jennah; how was the company started?

Faisa: The journey of the company started eight months ago, when I realised there was a huge gap in the market for contemporary Muslim women's clothing. I was frustrated with the lack of clothes available for us, as a large part of the Muslim fashion industry catered for high-end, niche couture markets.

I did not have a background in fashion or design, but I knew the sort of clothes women around me liked and what I would like to see out there myself. So I put pencil to paper and started sketching away and the rest is history as they say.

Jana: What do you feel is missing from the fashion industry right now?

Faisa: A clothing line that caters for both Muslims and non Muslims at the same time. A fashion label that is affordable and provides women with a variety of designs, from casual to abayas. So that the Muslim girl that wants to be fashionable yet modest, is not deprived of it.

Jana: What things/people/places inspire your style?

Faisa: Hmm, what people inspire me? I would have to say everyday women; my sisters, my friends, or even random strangers. Although when I was designing my clothing I based it on the things that I would like to wear, I guess I got a bit carried away with all things I would have liked to see in my own wardrobe!

One of my biggest inspirations is the great work that is going on currently in the Malaysian and Indonesian Muslim fashion industry. They are both beautiful countries and also have the most fashionable Muslim girls who are not afraid to push the envelope with new mixtures of styles and ask more of their fashion designers. Their style is very inspiring.

I’m a big traveller and love different cultures, fabrics, colours and architecture and in the future I would like to project these cultures into my designs.

Jana: What are your favourite pieces from the new collection?

Faisa: Every piece is my favourite, however, gun to my head I’d have to say the Hooded Cape, the Colour block dress and the Black and white ruffle abaya.

Jana: Finally, what can we expect from Sophia Jennah in the future?

Faisa: I have big plans for Sophia Jennah inshallah. I am currently working on our Spring/Summer collection which I hope to increase by 2 or 3 times more designs and products than our debut Autumn/Winter Collection. I want Sophia Jennah to be more than just a clothing line, I want it to be more like a lifestyle brand that a Muslim girl’s wardrobe can always rely on.

You can find me on my personal blog on Cookiesandcouture.com

Exclusive Discounts!

To mark their launch, Sophia Jennah have some great offers on. The first 500 customers to make a purchase and become a fan of the Facebook page will be sent a VIP membership card that entitles you to a lifetime 15% discount and entry to monthly giveaways. There is currently a 15% off sale for all customers until January 2nd 2012. What's more Hijab Style readers get an extra 10% off when you enter the code Hijab Style at the checkout!

Product Review: Hijab Obsessions

2011-12-11T19:55:00.002Z

Hijab Obsessions specialise in scarves and accessories, and are currently selling through Facebook. They have a range of different hijabs, including beautiful jersey scarves and snoods. I was recently sent the Jersey hijabs in aubergine purple and cloud grey to review.

First Impressions

The hijabs arrived in a bright red envelope. When I received the scarves originally, I found them a little too large, but Hijab Obsessions actually offered to custom alter them for me. Now they provide the scarves in two sizes for all customers: regular (65-70cm x 200cm) and maxi (75 - 80cm x 200cm).

The jersey fabric really is beautiful. It feels cool to the touch, and the fabric is soft and stretchy. Jersey tends to be heavier than other fabrics, and quite sturdy. The aubergine purple is a lovely deep, vibrant colour; the grey quite pale, and lighter than appears in the Facebook album.

Wearability

The scarves are very generously sized, and I had no problem getting adequate coverage even when folding the hem over. They are really comfortable to wear, you can even get away without using pins. If you did want to use pins though, larger ones are needed to stay in place, since the fabric is relatively thick. The great thing about jersey is that it holds its shape really well and stays in place. It's great for creating folds in your hijab style, and the weight of the fabric allows it to hang and drape quite well. This is a picture of the purple hijab wrapped around simply to demonstrate that:

Overall

I liked the quality and colour of the scarves; but found the 'maxi' size was unnecessarily large and a bit cumbersome. The scarves are great for layered styles; and the attentive customer service is excellent.

Friday Styleflash

2011-12-09T13:02:00.000Z

There are lots of new companies to mention this week:

Australian company Hijab House have finally launched their online store, selling beautiful abayas, skirts, cardigans and hijabs.

Desert Rose Hijabs are a UK company stocking a range of pretty hijabs and pins.

Hijab n Style are a new online company selling hijabs and accessories; they are currently offering free shipping for orders over $40.

Nadine Style are a newly founded company based in the USA that design long-sleeved blouses and tunics.

High Street Finds: Evans

2011-12-07T11:00:00.004Z

I occasionally get requests from readers regards finding modest, plus-sized clothing, and I know how hard this is to come by. Though there are a few high street chains which cater for this market; the selection I find is often lacking. But this season, I've been impressed by the range of tops and tunics available at Evans. They've brought in lots of styles in longer lengths, and long-sleeved too. Here are a few of my favourites. Let us know if you've found any other good retailers!

Top left to bottom right:

Collection Pintuck Shirt £45; Purple Floral Print Top £35; Blurred Animal Blouse £25; Purple Military Blouse £35; all Evans.

Rabia Z in New York

2011-12-05T18:30:00.002Z

The Rabia Z Spring/Summer 2012 collection made its debut at a fashion show in New York on November 16th. Her latest collection is inspired by the 'Mukhawara'; a traditional Emirati dress. What stands out for me in the collection is the use of print; florals and geometric patterns feature a lot more heavily than in previous collections. The colours as always are striking, and I'm especially loving the asymmetric, knee-length dresses.

These are just a few of my favourite picks; you can see lots more pictures in the photo gallery of this feature by Huffington Post!

Product Review: Bellissima Scarves

2011-12-03T18:35:00.001Z

Bellissima Scarves are one of the few hijab companies that actually design and manufacture their own scarves, rather than buying wholesale. This means the scarves are unique, and as I wrote in one of my previous reviews here, of high quality. I was recently sent the Milano Grey scarf to review.

First Impressions

The scarf arrived in its package, wrapped in silver tissue paper, along with a voucher for 15% off, which is included with all orders.

This scarf is different to most of those offered on the Bellissima Scarves website. It's described as ‘doppiato’; or double-layered. The base is made of a soft grey wool, and is sewn along the edges onto a thinner, crinkled polyester, in varying shades of grey. For some reason, the photography on the website makes the scarf look blue, but I didn't find this to be the case. Here's a photo of the scarf folded over as well as a close-up of the fabric:

Included in the package also was a 50cm square cotton underscarf, which is designed to be folded into a triangle and worn as a bandanna underneath your hijab. These will be on sale soon on the Bellissima website in a variety of colours.

Wearability

The scarf is very lightweight, and measures 35cm x 180cm. It's designed to be worn both as a neck scarf and a headscarf. Although personally I found it a little too narrow to wear easily as a hijab, since the fabric is totally opaque, you could experiment with styles to make it work. The photo below shows one way to wear the Milano scarf as a hijab. As a neck scarf, although it is light, it's surprisingly warm, without the itchy feeling you sometimes get with knitted scarves. I love the fact that as an elegant piece, it adds to an outfit rather than simply being something to wrap up in. The grey tones are unobtrusive and go well with many different colours.

Milano Scarf (Black)

Overall

This is a really luxurious scarf in a beautiful colour, and ideal for winter. It would make a great gift too! It's currently on sale for £24, and is available in black and brown too.

December Giveaway

2011-12-02T17:00:00.002Z

For the first giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win any item of your choice from The Inayah Collection's Clothing Sample Sale!

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

1. 'Like' The Inayah Collection Facebook page.

2. 'Like' your favourite image in the Clothing Sample Sale album. Send an email in with the link to the image, along with your full name and city with 'December 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 Sunday 11th December 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!

Friday Styleflash

2011-12-02T15:35:00.001Z

New Collections

N-ti have lots of new arrivals on their website including tops, skirts and hijabs.

Offers and Sale Alerts

Aab have a flash sale on with 25% off accross their website when you enter the code FLASH72 at the checkout. Ends Friday 2nd December 11:59pm GMT.

Modern Mary have a pre-winter sale on with 50% off selected items. Plus get another 20% off when you spend $100, with the code FALLSALE20. Ends Friday 2nd December 11:59pm ET.

Zeena have a sale on with upto 30% off selected clothing. And from now until Sunday 4th December, they're also giving 15% of their proceeds to The Global Fund in support of World Aids Day.

Elif Kavakci on BBC World

2011-11-30T11:00:00.001Z

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

2011-11-26T13:53:00.001Z

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

2011-11-25T18:00:00.001Z

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

2011-11-22T10:06:00.000Z

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

2011-11-21T08:00:00.002Z

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

2011-11-20T14:32:00.003Z

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

2011-11-18T11:28:00.000Z

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

2011-11-15T12:17:00.002Z

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

2011-11-14T10:00:00.003Z

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

2011-11-13T18:33:00.005Z

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

2011-11-12T09:00:00.001Z

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

2011-11-11T17:06:00.002Z

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

2011-11-09T19:20:00.003Z

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

2011-11-06T08:38:00.001Z

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

2011-11-04T09:36:00.000Z

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

2011-11-03T15:55:00.002Z

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

2011-11-02T10:50:00.001Z

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

2011-11-01T09:34:00.003Z

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!

Frankees Samad Designs

2011-10-31T10:23:00.001Z

Frankees Samad is a young fashion designer from California, USA. At university, she majored in Fashion Design, and during her time as an undergraduate, Frankees received a competitive scholarly grant to carry out her first fashion collection, which was based on Islamic Art and Architecture. She recently created another collection called Haute Hijabi, and this is what she says about it:

"Inspired by powerful Muslim-American women, I’ve created a collection that gives her the freedom to be modest and fashionable. The fabric prints are my interpretation of ikat fabric designs from the silk roads of Bukhara in Central Asia, where my family originates. Combining both inspirations, I have created innovative modest silhouettes with original fabric designs I have hand dyed using techniques such as hand painting, silk screening, stamping, and laser cut fabric to mimic the one-of-a-kind shapes of ikat designs. I was inspired by pleating to hide the body shape yet also give the garments shape at the same time. Pleats draped along the side of the garment hid the tight body shape, but gave it a graceful shape on its own."

Frankees plans to expand on her collections and experience in the fashion world and create a clothing line in the near future! Check out these photos from her fashion show earlier this year, and you can find more information on the Frankees Samad Designs Facebook page.

Images: Frankees Samad (top); Clinton Andor (all others)

Friday Styleflash

2011-10-28T10:50:00.001+01:00

New Kids on the Block

If you loved the jalabiyas and kaftans shown at Dubai Fashion Week, you can now get your hands on something similar at Nisaa Boutique, a UK-based company.

Bb-Hijabs have just launched their new website.

New Collections

Haute Hijab have introduced a new Detachable Collar Top and a new range of scarves.

Amirah Fashions have introduced six new jilbab designs for Eid.

Offers and Sale Alerts

IslamicGems are having an Eid Al Adha sale with huge discounts on all their pins and brooches.

Modern Mary and Wahat Aljalabiya have special offers on which are both valid until November 1st 2011, click here for more details.

DFW S/S '12 Part 2

2011-10-26T14:00:00.004+01:00

Lots of gorgeous gowns were on the runway at Dubai Fashion Week. It's no surprise that many of the designers taking part featured more modest evening dresses; longer lengths, high necklines and full sleeves. Here's hoping they become more readily available to all of us!

Homa Qamar presented chic abayas with generous cuts from her collection.

Mehwish Afzal of Maisha Creations featured some stunning jewel-toned jalabiyas in luxurious fabrics.

Mohammed Al Marri of Dan Couture showcased mainly abayas, but I loved the Asian-inspired kaftan and trouser ensemble.

Wafa Al Kathiri of Malikat Allail showed some glamorous and sumptuous designs, taking inspiration from traditional Arab and Asian clothing.

DFW S/S '12 Part 1

2011-10-25T17:53:00.001+01:00

The Spring/Summer 2012 edition of Dubai Fashion Week took place October 20th-24th, and as always featured a wide variety of international designers, including abaya brands. These are just a few of my favourite picks from the shows, follow the links to the DFW website to see more:

Abeer Al Suwaidi for Ush Design added striking elements to her black abayas. The heavy metallics really stand out and give a modern twist to the designs.

British designer Barjis Chohan for her label Barjis, showcased dresses and tunics based around the traditional abaya silhouette. The focus appeared to be in the cut and flow of the fabric, with low-key embellishments.

Hend Al Mutawa who designs for the popular label Nabrman, added colour and stylish cuts to her unique abayas. I'm loving the pleats in the two pictured above.

Part 2 coming soon!

October Giveaway Winners

2011-10-25T13:18:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to Stephanie R. from Ontario, Canada for winning the October Giveaway and Enas H. from Manchester, UK for winning the Bonus October Giveaway‏!

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

Wahat Aljalabiya Relaunch

2011-10-24T09:00:00.008+01:00

Back in 2009, I posted here about a company called Wahat Aljalabiya, a company that specialises in casual, evening and occasion dresses, with branches throughout the Middle East. Since then, they have relaunched their new website, enabled easier and more transparent online shopping and brought in lots of new designs. For those of you not familiar, jalabiyas are worn often as house dresses in front of guests or for special occasions, depending on the style. Below are just a few of my favourite picks from their website; many of the new designs are still luxurious and opulent, with a strong Arab influence, yet not too over the top or costume-y.

Right now they have a special Eid promotion on too. Get $20 off your order plus free shipping, when you spend $250 or more. Just enter the code jilbabeid at the checkout. Valid until November 1st 2011.

Friday Styleflash

2011-10-21T08:56:00.001+01:00

Apologies for the absence last week, but the Friday Styleflash is back again!

Offers and Sale Alerts

Bellissima Scarves are offering a Roma Paisley scarf for half price, when you buy any scarf of your choice. Enter the code ROMA at the checkout.

Haute Hijab have a sale on with upto 40% off their clothing!

New Collections

Aab have lots of new arrivals including abayas and printed hijabs.

And in case you missed the previous post, Zeena have recently launched their Eid clothing collection.

Q&A with Zeena

2011-10-16T15:15:00.000+01:00

Today Hijab Style brings you a Q&A with Bayan Jondy, the founder of Zeena, an American clothing brand catering for the modest dresser. Zeena have just launched their latest Eid Collection today; and I must say I'm loving the new designs! The pieces are elegant, stylish and versatile; real wardrobe staples. Here are a few of the new arrivals:

Silky Ruffle Zip-Up Shirt; Pleated Dream Skirt; Smocked Chiffon Shirt

Jana: When, who and how was Zeena established?

Bayan: Zeena was founded in 2008 when I started designing clothes for myself . My family and friends responded enthusiastically to my designs which gave me confirmation that there was a gap in the fashion industry that needed to be filled. My sister Amany and I are partners in Zeena and together we are able to design, innovate, and create the best products and service for our customers.

Jana: What makes you different to other modest clothing brands?

Bayan: We spent years carefully laying out our vision and did not rush into starting a company until we were able to ensure that all aspects of our business were covered. What makes us different from other modest clothing brands is that we provide contemporary, demure clothing at affordable prices!

Jana: What have been your most popular items?

Bayan: Our most popular items from last seasons have been the Ribbed Hoodie and the Tie Shrug, which are tops you tend to grab right before you run out of the front door. This season, the button down essential shirts have been very popular, due to their sophisticated style.

Jana: Tell us one thing that surprised you about the experience of setting up and running your online business?

Bayan: What surprised us the most was the overwhelming, immediate response we received outside of our North American customer base. Within the first few weeks of our launch, we were receiving orders and inquiries from the UK, Australia, France, Malaysia, South Africa, Lebanon, the UAE and many more countries across the globe! Such response showed us the universal appeal of our designs.

Jana: What's your ultimate vision for Zeena?

Bayan: Zeena's ultimate vision is to continue to provide contemporary, modest clothing for our customers every season. We aspire to have the most reliable clothing store, offer the finest quality clothing, and provide the best customer service.

Visit www.simplyzeena.com to see their designs!

Bonus October Giveaway

2011-10-15T08:52:00.001+01:00

For the second giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win a Kaasni Ruffle Wrap from iLoveModesty!

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

1. Visit the iLoveModesty website, and subscribe to the newsletter (left hand side bar).

2. 'Like' the iLoveModesty.com Facebook page. Send an email in with your full name and city with 'Bonus October 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 Friday 21st October 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!

Modern Mary

2011-10-11T15:20:00.004+01:00

Modern Mary is an American brand which launched in 2008, providing modest and stylish clothing for all women. Not only do they have an online store, they also have a boutique located in Virginia. Modern Mary have also made headway in mainstream fashion, exhibiting their designs at DC Fashion Week.

I'm particularly loving the tunics and blouses; these aren't just your run-of-the-mill cotton tops; clearly a lot of thought has gone into the design, and the pieces are unique and beautiful. My top picks have to be the Pleated Ruffle Belted Dress and the Asian Inspired Tunic Dress.

And here's a special offer exclusively for Hijab Style readers! Free domestic and international shipping on orders $65 or more with the code hijabstylefs. Valid until November 1st 2011.

Photographer: Naiffer Romero

Models: Ana Maria Lawson & Oksana Anel

Hairstylist: Simon Bechara

MUA: Arika Riedell Burton

Smoky not Smudgy 2011

2011-10-10T14:10:00.000+01:00

It's big. It's back. It's Smoky not Smudgy 2011! This charity event has grown from strength to strength each year, and it's a unique opportunity to enjoy some pampering treats, and also see some of your favourite brands and companies that usually only have an online presence.

SnS 2011 is the 4th time this event is taking place! If you were wondering just how it all started, I asked a lovely friend of mine, Huda Thakur, to spill the beans on how ideas become reality:

Huda: One of my friends was heading Charity Week at Imperial College and we were sitting around discussing what possible events we should hold, when I suggested a pampering event for girls. Another friend said she had a friend who was a Bobbi Brown make-up artist and we took it from there. I always aim high, so this event had to have it all: hairdressers, make-up artists, henna artists, photo shoots, master-classes and so on. The only problem was we didn’t know anyone who would be ready to take on that responsibility and organize an event, ready for Charity Week in 2 weeks time. My friend tried to persuade me to do it, and although I’m the sort of person who can’t tell the difference between blusher and eye shadow (I still don’t know how to use them), I agreed. This was a chance for Imperial to try something new that could potentially be quite instrumental in raising a lot of money for charity.

The following two weeks were probably the most intense times of my life. I managed to get a few people on board with the project and for an event that was the first of its kind, run by someone whose entire make-up bag consisted of a stick of home-made eye-liner from back home, Alhamdulillah we did pretty well! What’s more is that every single penny made went straight to charity. We had managed to incur zero costs and we even managed to give all attendees Guess gift bags filled with donated goodies!

Believe it or not, all of this took place in just one room. Back then, my involvement was packing the gift bags! The event was incredibly hectic, but the great turnout proved just how much potential it had.

The next year, SnS moved to a much bigger space, and took over a whole two floors, and has been held there ever since. Huda asked me if I wanted to get involved in organising it half-way through, and with help we managed to pull off a much larger event. In 2010, SnS got even bigger. This time, I knew I wanted to really get stuck in, and there were 4 of us now on the organising team. We had a much larger 'souk' area, inviting various fashion, jewellery, and arts businesses to have stalls at our event. And biggest of all, was the SnS fashion show. Several designers took part showcasing a range of looks.

This year, SnS will be following a similar format to 2010, with all the elements of pampering, fashion, food and fun. Although I'm not involved in organising it this year, I have no doubt the girls will do a great job. Honestly, so much hard work goes into organising this event, I hope you will come down and help us raise lots of money for a good cause! Visit the SnS 2011 Facebook event for more info.

Friday Styleflash

2011-10-07T11:02:00.002+01:00

New Collections

Masoomah has lots of new arrivals for Autumn/Winter.

The Inayah Collection has launched a limited edition range of hijabs, pins, bangles and necklaces that will be available to customers directly in South Africa through their distribution team there. Check out the products available on their Facebook page.

New Kids on the Block

Hijab Jewels are a new company specialising in brooches that have just launched on Facebook. They've also got a competition to win three brooches going on too!

Offers and Sale Alerts

Hijab Fashion Shop are giving free UK delivery until October 12th 2011.

Amirah Fashions are offering 15% off orders when you purchase an Aswad jilbab and any other jilbab from their website (including sale jilbabs), and use the discount code Aswad22011 at the checkout.

October Giveaway

2011-10-04T10:00:00.007+01:00

For the first giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win a Silk Mix Scarf, in turquoise or cream, from Demure Look!

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

1. Visit the Demure Look website, and subscribe to the newsletter.

2. Visit the Demure Look Facebook page, and tag yourself in any photo of your favorite item. Send an email in with the link to the photo you've tagged youself in, along with your full name and city with 'October 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 Tuesday 11th October 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!

Product Review: Al Kawthar

2011-10-03T10:00:00.006+01:00

Al Kawthar is a UK-based online store selling abayas, hijabs and accessories, which launched in 2010. They recently sent me the Leopard Print hijab in brown to review.

First Impressions

The package arrived swiftly, within 2 days, and I was assured this was the usual shipping time for customers. The hijab itself measures 160cm x 55cm, and is made from a very lightweight polyester chiffon. The print is beautiful, the colours well-defined and I personally love the contrast between the main print and the smaller border. The colours in the photo on the website (above) are also true to real life.

Wearability

This scarf is very thin and so quite see-through at one layer thick, although once wrapped around and worn with an undercap, isn't too much of a problem. Also considering that the scarf is not very wide either, this doesn't provide much flexibility in terms of styling. However, if you prefer smaller, neater scarves for practical reasons, then this might be right up your street. The fabric is also slightly textured, meaning it won't slip around. It is quite delicate and care needs to be taken if using pins. I found that this scarf looks best worn with darker colours like brown and black.

Overall

I love the print of this scarf and the lightweight fabric, although a little larger size would make it ideal. At a bargain sale price of £4.80, it's great value and looks a lot more expensive than it really is.

Friday Styleflash

2011-09-30T09:00:00.013+01:00

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

2011-09-28T09:25:00.005+01:00

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

2011-09-26T20:20:00.003+01:00

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

2011-09-23T13:44:00.002+01:00

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

2011-09-20T10:00:00.002+01:00

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

2011-09-16T09:30:00.001+01:00

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

2011-09-14T10:00:00.001+01:00

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

2011-09-12T10:00:00.007+01:00

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

2011-09-12T09:35:00.000+01:00

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

2011-09-09T15:55:00.000+01:00

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

2011-09-07T09:00:00.007+01:00

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

2011-09-02T22:05:00.001+01:00

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!

Eid Mubarak

2011-08-30T10:15:00.001+01:00

It feels like only yesterday that Ramadan started...Eid Mubarak to everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Eid Giveaway Winner

2011-08-25T10:01:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Azara M. from London, UK for winning the Eid Giveaway! Your prize will be making its way to you shortly.

Don't forget there's still time to enter the Banner Design Competition to win £150 worth of prizes!

Hijab Online Store: Readers' Special Offer

2011-08-20T10:27:00.002+01:00

Hijab Online Store is an Egypt-based website, which stocks a huge range of hijabs and accessories. Although the site is a little difficult to navigate, it's worth browsing the more unique designs which are hard to get hold of here in the UK. And there's an exclusive discount for Hijab Style readers; get a massive 35% off your order when you enter the code Hijab Style 01 at the checkout. Valid until August 28th 2011. Not just that, but you get 20% off your order from their sister website Handbags and Jewels with the code Hijab Style at the checkout! These are just a few of my favourite picks from the HOS website:

Eid Outfit: Pretty in Pink

2011-08-18T09:50:00.003+01:00

This Eid why not try out a pleated maxi skirt? I love this pink satin one, worn with a light pink blazer, a simple white top and printed hijab. Mix things up with a leopard print skinny belt worn loose over the skirt, and smart accessories. Try swapping the pink blazer for a black one for a sharper evening look:

Boyfriend blazer £65; Pleated satin skirt £45, both Topshop; Petite Fleur scarf £15.99, Aab; Cream chiffon pleat top £24, Miss Selfridge; Mesh loop tassle necklace £12, Topshop; Leopard print skinny belt £5, Dorothy Perkins; Catoggio bag £28, Aldo; Light beige bow shoes £29.99, River Island.

August Giveaway Winners

2011-08-18T09:49:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to Fatima S. from Ontario, Canada and Katarzyna G. from Koszalin, Poland for winning the August Giveaway! Your prizes will be making their way to you shortly.

Don't forget there's still time to enter the Eid Giveaway to win a tunic top by Rabia Z, and the Banner Design Competition to win £150 worth of prizes!

Eid Giveaway

2011-08-11T16:40:00.001+01:00

For a special Eid Giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win this Draped Jersey Tunic Top with Accent Colour from the latest RUBY by Rabia Z collection.

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

1. 'Like' the Rabia Z Facebook page

2. Answer the following question: "How would you feel wearing this Rabia Z. look?"

Send an email in with your answer, along with your full name and city with 'Eid Giveaway' in the subject line to both hijabstyle@hotmail.co.uk AND rabiazassistant@gmail.com. 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 Friday 19th August 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!

Banner Design Competition

2011-08-05T16:24:00.003+01:00

At long last, the Banner Design Competition is here! As you can see, the current banner at the top of the Hijab Style webpage is looking a little plain, and could definitely use a makeover! So here is your chance to design a new one and win some fantastic prizes too!

Competition rules:

1. The banner must include the blog title 'Hijab Style' and description 'The UK's first style guide for Muslim women', as it already does, but you can play around with the layout.
2. You cannot use existing images found on the internet, as these already belong to someone and cannot be used to promote another website. Stick to graphic designs only.
3. You can use any colour schemes and fonts you like, but bear in mind that it needs to be easily read.
4. Banners should preferably be in .jpg format, but .bmp images are also acceptable. The width should be exactly 920 pixels, and the height between 220 and 250 pixels.

5. Each entrant may submit upto a maximum of 3 designs each.
6. Deadline for entries is Monday 5th September 2011 and the competition is open to entrants from all countries.

7. Banners should be submitted along with your full name and city to hijabstyle@hotmail.co.uk

8. The first prize winner will be chosen by myself, and there will be a poll open to all Hijab Style readers to choose the runner-up.

And of course the prizes are as follows:

The 1st prize winner will receive the following:

Oolong Blue Abaya from Aab; Genova Matt Silver Scarf from Bellissima Scarves; Silk and Viscose Stripe Scarf from Demure Look; Agate Two in One Chain Link Necklace from Hannah's Gemstone Jewellery and Set of Handmade Hijab Pins from The Inayah Collection.

The runner-up winner will receive the following:

Striped Hijab in Dusky Pink from Hijab Fashion Shop and a Burgundy and Gold Filigree Dangle Hijab Pin from jewels4hijabs.

Remember: keep it simple and stylish. I look forward to receiving your entries!

Lebanese Hijab Style: Bokitta

2011-08-04T12:47:00.005+01:00

I recently came across a new brand called Bokitta, which just happens to be based in Lebanon. It goes without saying that Lebanon has produced some fantastic designers (if I do say so myself!), but actually I've realised there are very few brands which cater for hijab-wearing Muslim women. Naturally, I was intrigued, and so here is a quick Q&A with Hala Absi, the founder of Bokitta.

Jana: What is Bokitta and how did it begin?

Hala: Bokitta is a new innovative brand for hijabis; it started from a passion for fashion and became a successful design house for veiled ladies. The word Bokitta is a new word we invented by combining the word "bouquet", meaning an arrangement, and added the "itta" to refer to the lady. Bokitta, the bouquet of colors, offers an arrangement of matching, bright and colorful scarves and clothing for hijabis, under the Matching Concepts. Most importantly is our new patented scarf "Voila!". This is a pre-wrapped, ready-to-wear scarf which does not require any pins. This new invention has found a lot of success because of its practicality; it is light and breathable, especially for summer and hot weather. The scarf is being sold in two stores across Lebanon launched in May 2011, one in Beirut Mall and another in Saida Mall and hopefully we are to expand to 2 other locations soon.

Jana: Tell us more about your patented design.

Hala: Voila!, our new patented scarf is a ready-to-wear headscarf. It is designed in such a way that it looks like a naturally wrapped scarf, yet with all the extra layers of fabric that are usually wrapped around the neck eliminated for a lighter feeling.

The Voila! is stitched and requires no pins whatsoever, and is worn simply and easily like a hat. It is made of 100% breathable cotton, for healthier hair and scalp, and comes with a headband in the same fabric that will hold the hair back from falling on the face. The Voila! preserves its consistent look, and therefore it does not loosen up after a long day, and you need not fix it with several pins on your head, and need not search for any lost pins. You can watch this YouTube video to see how simple it is to wear the Voila!.

Jana: What do you think is special or unique about hijab style in Lebanon?

Hala: Lebanon is often called the Paris of the Middle East. Women in Lebanon tend to be trendy and care to stay in style. This is also reflected in the veiled girls' dress in Lebanon; they always try to stay in style but are conservative and modest in their clothing. We do not have one particular style for hijabis in Lebanon; you can find alot of diversity in different regions of the country. The younger generation tend to be more daring with colors and fashionable items; they wear long tunics with pants or short ones with skirts, while the older generation are mainly into jilbabs and one color/neutral outfits. Since our main focus is on the Voila!, it comes in plain as well as printed colors, and we cover a whole market of the traditional and stylish female population.

Since our slogan is "Bouquet of Colors", we are trying as much as we can to keep our collection colorful. We follow the latest trends by adopting the Pantone Fashion Colors for each season. However, what differentiates us, is that we design and draw all our prints and we come up with our own collection every two months, providing as much variety as we can for our customers.

Jana: When can we expect your online store to launch?

Hala: Insha'Allah we hope to launch our online store no later than September 2011. We will be announcing our launch on our Facebook page, where we release our latest news and updates and also on our website where we will launch the online store, www.bokitta.com.

August Giveaway

2011-08-01T10:00:00.009+01:00

For the first giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving two winners the chance to win either De La Roche scarf (pictured left) or Pierre Cardin scarf (pictured right) from Veil Vision!

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

1. Visit the Veil Vision website, and sign up to the mailing list (top right-hand corner).

2. Answer the following question: "Why would you prefer a vintage scarf over a non-vintage scarf?"

Send an email in with your answer, which scarf you prefer to win, along with your full name and city with 'August 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 Veil Vision 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 Tuesday 9th August 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!

Ramadan Mubarak

2011-07-31T10:35:00.000+01:00

At last, Ramadan is here again, though it always goes by so quickly. I hope it's a blessed and peaceful month for everyone, inshallah.

Rabia Z Shopping Page

2011-07-30T16:10:00.000+01:00

For all those who've been waiting to get their hands on some Rabia Z designs, you'll be pleased to know that their Shopping Page has just gone live on Facebook. This is the first time you'll be able to get your hands on some exclusive RUBY by Rabia Z pieces for Eid. There are six jersey tops in various colours to choose from. Which is your favourite?

Style Spotlight: Neutrals

2011-07-26T09:55:00.002+01:00

Spring 2011

Neutrals always come round in various styles and forms each season. For Spring 2011, designers like Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren added interest to neutral palettes using textured fabrics and ruffles. Luxe fabrics and structured pieces give an edge to evening outfits, whilst the maxi-trench makes several appearances! Here are just a few runway picks:

Donna Karan

Salvatore Ferragamo; Hermes

Maurizio Pecoraro

Ralph Lauren; Marc Jacobs

Images: Style.com

Weekend Chic

2011-07-22T11:52:00.000+01:00

I spotted this pink dress in H&M recently and had to include it in an outfit set! Although it may look plain and shapeless, a few accessories can make a big difference. A skinny belt worn loosely around the waist breaks up the colour-block, as does adding a long necklace or pendant. I'd team with some navy chinos or jeans, and add a patterned hijab for relaxed weekend outfit. Although I've not included it in the set, a thin jersey long-sleeve top will probably be needed underneath as the sleeves are annoyingly sheer!

Flared crêpe dress £14.99; Dark blue chinos £9.99, both H&M; Bernstein small shoulder bag £49, Fiorelli; Crinkle hijab £5.99, Hijab Fashion Shop; Gold jali work 3 drop pendant £6, Manumit; Tan weave embossed belt £6, Dorothy Perkins; Xantoa shoe £24.98, Aldo.

Summer Style: Green Elegance

2011-07-18T10:00:00.017+01:00

An outfit post has been long overdue here; so something glamorous is definitely in order! Summer eveningwear can be a real challenge, but this is one simple outfit which requires minimal layering. This beautiful deep green dress from Zara is the focal point of the outfit, so I'd keep other colours to a minimum and pair with a cropped grey jacket and silver hijab (which I've reviewed previously here). Jewellery and accessories add a hint of sparkle too:

Pleated dress £69.99; Zara; Grey slash lapel crop jacket, £58, Topshop; Mixed bangles £23, The Inayah Collection; Thai silk scarf classic £15.95, Demure Look; Majique antique silver pearl & crystal ring £12.50, Treasure Box; Silver frame tassel bag £35, Topshop; Vanill strappy diamante sandals £48, Dune.

July Giveaway Winner

2011-07-18T08:37:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to Reyhana I. from Ohio, USA for winning the July Giveaway! Your prizes will be making their way to you shortly. Keep an eye out for the next giveaway coming up soon!

Style Inspiration: Mint Velvet

2011-07-07T09:00:00.007+01:00

I recently came across the Mint Velvet brand whilst browsing the John Lewis website. I instantly loved their range, which includes plenty of tunics, maxi skirts and dresses in beautiful prints and fabrics. A lot of the styling is quite modest too. These are a few of the more hijab-ready looks, although there are plenty more on their website:

July Giveaway

2011-07-01T11:07:00.003+01:00

For the first giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win a Hip Long Coat in Grey and Orkide Scarf from Vela Clothing!

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

1. Visit the Vela Clothing website, and sign up to the newsletter.

2. Visit the Vela Clothing Facebook page, and tag yourself in any photo of your favorite item. Send an email in with the link to the photo you've tagged youself in, along with your full name and city with 'July 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 Saturday 9th July 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!

High Street Finds: Maxi Skirts

2011-06-29T17:30:00.002+01:00

If you loved yesterday's colour-blocking post, then here are just a few high street maxi skirt finds for you. When paired with neutrals, these skirts are a great way to try out more vibrant colours like cobalt and red. Darker jewel tones are perfect for evening wear too:

Top right to bottom left:

Cobalt belted maxi skirt £28, Dorothy Perkins; Red belted paperbag maxi skirt £35, River Island; Long seamed skirt £39.99, Zara; Faldaza skirt £34.95, Mango.

Style Notes: Jil Sander

2011-06-28T15:40:00.000+01:00

Spring 2011

Jil Sander's collection for Spring 2011 was full of maxi skirts, dresses and palazzo trousers. Just one of the themes that caught my eye was colour-blocking; always a Summer favourite. Bold colours but with clean, simple cuts were paired with more neutral whites, blacks and navy blues. Try teaming a solid-colour maxi skirt with a simple white blazer and minimal accessories for a colourful but chic look:

Images: Style.com

Style Notes: Haider Ackermann

2011-06-27T12:40:00.003+01:00

Spring 2011

Pleated maxi skirts have been showing up all over high street this season, and Haider Aackermann's collection shows them styled beautifully. The skirt should be generously cut so the pleats keep their shape when worn, and try teaming with a structured jacket. If you're loving the look, ASOS is currently doing a pleated maxi skirt, available in four shades for £45.

Images: Style.com

June Giveaway

2011-06-15T10:49:00.001+01:00

For the first giveaway this month, Hijab Style is giving you the chance to win a £15 voucher to spend at Emellie Clothing Boutique!

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

1. Visit the Emellie website and sign up to the newsletter.

2. Send an email in with your full name and city with 'June 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 Tuesday 21st June 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!

Product Review: Aara Abayas

2011-06-07T23:35:00.003+01:00

Aara is an online business specialising in black abayas for casual, everyday and occasion wear. I was sent the 2 Shades Of Black abaya to review.

First Impressions

Before the abaya even arrived, I was impressed by the customer service at Aara. Customers are given the option of tracking their orders online, and delivery is very quick. Inside the postage box, the abaya and a matching rectangular sheyla hijab were presented inside a black 'Aara Womenswear' bag, and wrapped in yellow tissue paper.

The fabric of the abaya is a Japanese crepe, which is slightly textured, so it does not cling at all. The front of the abaya at the bottom is made up of a cut of black satin which starts on the right hand side just below the hip, and cuts diagonally to about mid-calf. The ends of the sleeves are similarly overlayed with satin about a quarter of the way down.

The hijab though comes in a much softer fabric and has an almost velvety feel to it, and matches the abaya with a satin trim on one corner.

Close-up contrast between satin and crepe fabric

Wearability

The Aara website provides a detailed size guide which I followed carefully. I found the sizing to be quite generous, but still tailored at the shoulders and arms, which is pretty much essential to making any abaya look well-fitting. At 5'3, pretty much everything is too long for me, and this abaya was no different. However, Aara do offer a very affordable alteration service on their website.

The abaya is a slip-on with a simple popper fastening at the front, in the centre of the neckline. In terms of movement and practicality, the abaya is very comfortable and easy to walk in, and doesn't crease easily either. The satin makes the abaya a little heavy, so I personally feel this is more suited to colder months.

I did attempt to take a few full-length images of the abaya, but it pretty much defeated the point as it was difficult to get the different fabrics to show up in a photo.

Overall

Despite the satin, the design is a little plain, but would make an ideal everyday abaya to which you could add almost any hijab or accessories. Overall, Aara abayas are elegant, practical and affordable, and the customer service is excellent.

With a large number of websites now catering to the traditional abaya market, it is hard to know which companies are reliable, but this would definitely be one of them. Regards the website though, the images provided really don't do the abayas justice, so would love to see more detailed and 'real life' images of the products.

Disclaimer: I received this abaya in exchange for my honest review. The opinions and thoughts expressed are my own and I received no other compensation for my review.

High Street Hijab Finds

2011-06-05T11:45:00.000+01:00

Clothes shopping in the summer can be a challenge to say the least! But at least there's no lack of colourful scarves to choose from; they're the easiest way to brigthen up a plain outfit. There are plenty of gorgeous hijabs to choose from online; but for those who prefer high street shopping, here are some of my favourite picks in shades of blue:

Top left to bottom right:

Spot scarf £20, Oasis; Blue multi floral print scarf £12, Dorothy Perkins; Sirocco print scarf £26, East; Woven scarf £7.99, H&M.

Hello World!

2011-06-02T22:11:00.000+01:00

It's been over three weeks now since I last posted on Hijab Style (ouch!). Rest assured, it's only because I've been hidden away getting exams done and research projects written up. Apologies for not updating for so long, but I'm in the process of catching up with emails and posts. Watch this space!