Fashion and style are ways of expression. For some clothing is nothing more than a way to keep warm and covered, a functional need. Others use their style to make some type of bold or artistic statement. Some people just follow what is in fashion, whether they like the recent trend or not. At the end of the day we all have our own style which reveals a little something about our personalities and beliefs. I have always admired the modern day Muslim woman for her ability to respect her faith and traditions by wearing modest clothing while following the latest fashion trends at the same time. It seems quite a challenge to both follow fashion and preserve your own traditions, but many Muslim women are proving modest fashion can be very fashionable and attract both women of Muslim faith as non-Muslims.
Because I will be featuring different Arabic/Islamic fashion designers on The Fashion Orientalist in the near future I will give a short explanation of the traditional clothing items worn by Muslim women. The Hijab is commonly known as the headscarf, but also stands for a way of dress by covering most of the body. The Abaya is a loose robe like dress often worn over clothes. Although traditionally a lot of Abayas are available in mostly dark or plain colors, there are a lot of Muslim designers who now decorate the gowns with colored embroidery or beads and gems. They also use fabrics like lace and add in accessories like belts. You also see a lot of colorful headscarves with bold prints by designers who try to combine tradition with a western style of dress. Today I introduce to you Nahda Designs.
Nahda Designs is a clothing brand by American Muslim fashion designers Suraya Mahumed and Zaynab Zaid. They design ‘modest wear’ and their collections consist of scarves, tops, dresses and maxi-skirts. The brand strives to make modesty appealing. The clothes are both comfortable and fashionable and flatters a woman’s figure without having to lose her modesty.
Nahda designer Suraya Mahumed feels that in both the east and west the modest wear trend is one to stay: ‘Designer brands have already begun making abayas and modest versions of their designs for Muslim women. We have also seen a lot of scarves on the runway in the last few years. I have a good feeling this modest trend is here to stay, as it once was very popular prior to the 1960’s’
When describing her own personal style Suraya points out that her style is both traditional and American at the same time. ‘Instead of obsessing about being on trend by carrying the latest handbag or purchasing the latest watch, I focus on how many ways I can style an outfit to fit my personality while also keeping true to my faith’.
Take a look at the Nahda Designs gallery for some of their fun, bright and stylish designs.
For more information about the brand or to shop the brand visit: nahdadesigns.com