Friday, June 29, 2007

Islamic fashion to the fore


Rosmah launching TV9’s new fashion programme called Busanain Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. With her is TV9 chief executive officer Bukhari Che Muda.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as a model Islamic nation, can set the standard for contemporary Islamic fashion and make the region a key fashion centre for Islamic apparel, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s wife, who is also the patron of the KL-Jakarta Islamic Fashion Festival, said that Islamic fashion “is probably the world’s most misunderstood segment.”

“Islamic dressing, especially for women, can embody all that is required in Islam and yet still remain fashionable, contemporary and stylish.

“The essence of Islamic fashion lies in the fact that it doesn’t degrade women by making them mere objects of desire, rather it captures the true beauty of the woman – her grace, charm, character and virtues,” she said yesterday.

The Islamic Fashion Festival, to be held from July 3-6 in Jakarta, will be graced by the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah and will see the participation of more than 35 designers.

They include Melinda Looi from Malaysia, Chossy Latu, Harry Dharsono, Resna dan Sapto, Ghea Pangabean, Samuel Wattimena, Ana Avanti and Adjie Notonegero from Indonesia.

Rosmah added that the festival was a result of the positive response to the first Islamic Fashion Show, held during the Malaysia International Fashion Week last year.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Ode to polka dots and the search for modest clothing

As salaam alaikum everyone (sorry I've been away so long. I've been very busy).

Let me just jump right in and say that I absolutely polka dots! I was so pleased when I saw that they have made a come back. As a Muslimah I'm always on the look out for Islamic (or Islamically oriented) clothing with polka dots. So far I've run into very few. The only polka dotted clothing I've found so far is this skirt (pictured below) from Marabo Online:



I love it! Someday soon I plan to order it insha'allah. I've basically settled for the few polka dot hijabs I've been able to find. Though I rarely shop in the mall, when I have been there I've kept my eye out for something "convertible". So far I haven't seen anything.

As most hijab-wearing Muslimahs know, it's very difficult to find something modest around this time a year (let alone something polka-dotted.) My experience has been as follows: if it's long-sleeved it's tight, see-through or too short. If it's baggy it's also see-through or too short. If it's a long skirt it has huge slits on the sides or in the back. I used to feel so frustrated until I discovered the world of online Islamic clothing stores. Alhamdulillah, I live in the Twin Cities so I can venture to one of the Somali malls where they have a large variety of long skirts and hijabs. (I used to tell my Florida friends that they would pass out if they saw the vast amount of stalls with nothing but Islamic clothing)!

I recently went to the Somali mall and found, much to my surprise, several polka dot skirts. I have to say that the sisters do a good job of ordering clothing that is inexpensive but stylish. They seem to know what the latest trends are. (Most of their skirts go for around $20 and hijabs for $5). However, like everything in life there is a downside. The two for me are: (1) Many of the skirts are mermaid-shaped. I don't care to own so many skirts in that shape. (Maybe one or two but not a wardrobe full). (2) If you're a person who loves to be original it can be rather difficult since practically every Somali woman in the Twin Cities buys her clothing from there. I don't like wearing the same type of clothing everyone else is wearing. (Call it the diva in me, lol).

Anyhow, I digress. If you know of any great polka dot finds, drop me a comment.

Friday, June 1, 2007

So cute!



I found this pic on someone's flickr photos. (If this is yours and you don't want it here please let me know.)