Fusion Muslim chic hits Europe's streets

[abdulhakeem]

Tue Apr 24, 2007
by Alexandra Steigrad

PARIS/ROTTERDAM (Reuters) - Clad in skinny jeans, wrap dresses and carefully sculpted headscarves, a generation of young Muslim women is making its mark on Europe's urban street culture, and influencing mainstream fashion.

The daughters of migrants to Europe from Turkey or the Maghreb, these girls say they are as conscious of style as of Islamic dress codes -- and want to fuse contemporary chic with elements of their religious and ethnic background.

"H&M and all the French stores have taken our fashion," said Mahika, a 24-year-old from Paris. She sees Muslim influences in the current trend of wearing dresses over jeans, and layering sweaters and tops.

Shopping for clothes has become simpler, she said: young Muslim women are now able to dress entirely from mainstream outlets if they choose.
Many of her peers agree, although a Hennes & Mauritz spokeswoman Muslim fashion has not specifically inspired their collections.

"I find it very easy to dress. You find all kinds of things in town. It is about combinations and it has got easier since you see the influence of our fashion in general fashion," said 20-year-old Bushra Sayed, a student from Rotterdam.

"I am a Muslim but I am also a person who is interested in fashion and I want to combine all these things," she adds.

Bushra wears a dark brown scarf wrapped tightly around her head and neck, a dark blue shirt, a figure-hugging grey tweed waistcoat and matching knee-length skirt over jeans.

Bushra's look is a world away from the black voluminous robes and long scarves worn by more traditional Muslim women, which completely hide the contours of the body.

"For me it is important to cover my body, except the hands, feet and face. And within that I can wear whatever I want, but it should not be too tight and short," she said.

"My mother, friends, and relatives are very enthusiastic and I did not have to fight at all for my own style."

MUSLIM GLOSSY

Bushra is among five women to put together MSLM, a new glossy fashion magazine in Dutch, French and English, aimed at style-conscious young Muslims offering tips, for example on new ways of covering the hair -- with baseball caps, hoods or chunky knitted scarves.

The title of the English, Dutch and French language magazine -- which the women call a "zero issue" or one-off for now -- is a play on the Dutch word for female Muslim, Moslima, and the clothing sizes medium-small-large-medium.

"An increasing group of young women is exploring the boundaries of being veiled and seductive... they compensate the veil with figure-hugging apparel, expressive make-up and higher heels," Dutch stylist Isis Vandrager told the magazine.

The women have also organized a fashion exhibition in Rotterdam alongside the magazine, displaying outfits made by Dutch designers with Islamic dress codes in mind.

One dummy in the exhibition wears a black halter-neck dress, while its back, arms and legs are concealed by a black-lace cat suit worn beneath.

"I see Muslim girls dress in very tight-fitting clothes these days so I thought 'why not make a cat suit?'," smiled Dutch designer Mada van Gaans.

Also on show are jeans by Italian clothing maker Al Quds, designed specifically for Muslims, with a baggy cut and multiple pockets, making it easier to kneel for prayer and store watches, rings or other jewellery when performing ablutions.

"It's not just Muslims who are buying our jeans now. It's a good fashion product, first of all. That means the spectrum of our audience is growing," brand manager Susanna Cavalli said in a telephone interview from Italy.

WIDER INFLUENCE?

The women behind MSLM and the show believe European Muslim street style might even one day influence women in the Middle East -- but not yet.

"There are Turkish girls here who wear these scarves which are just so out there and striking -- but they don't wear them when they go home," said Natasa Heydra, of MSLM.

In fact, the number of young women at the clothing fair of an annual conference of French Muslims in Paris shows interest in fashion trends from the Middle East and in traditional dress is still very high.

"It's both to help women dress according to Islam's rules, and also to meet a demand," said Asmaa Buhallut on the aim of the clothing show.

In France, a country which fiercely upholds its secular identity and which banned the veil in schools, there are not so many Muslim designers, she added: brands and designers from abroad use the event to reach the French Muslim public.

The array of bright colored clothing on display also gives women a source of inspiration.

"What's trendy are bright, vibrant colors, light fabrics, and in general, ensembles, mostly pants," said 18-year-old Nassima, of Tunisian origin.
Stallholder Ouslghozi Jkrom, selling traditional dresses and inexpensive veils, agreed.

"Popular styles this year have beadwork and the color is orange," she said. "Really, anything flashy."

(Additional reporting by Alexandra Hudson and Rachel Sanderson)

http://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSL1739252420070425

[abdulhakeem]

Fashion mag targets gap in Muslim market

Wed Apr 25, 2007

ROTTERDAM (Reuters) - Rotterdam gallery curator Natasa Heydra and student Bushra Sayed are among the editorial team of glossy fashion magazine MSLM, launched in April in Rotterdam.

The title of the English, Dutch and French language magazine -- which they say is a "zero issue" or one-off for now -- is a play on the Dutch word for female Muslim, Moslima, and the clothing sizes medium-small-large-medium.

They spoke to Reuters about the target audience of the magazine -- and how they saw a gap in the market.

Q: Who is the magazine for?

Heydra: It is for Muslim girls but also for all girls. We made it because we couldn't understand why there wasn't such a publication yet.

On the streets in Holland we saw a big group of Muslim girls and they look beautiful, yet when you look at the media or magazines they only focus on the problems and the differences of these women. But there are also 16, 17, 18-year-old Dutch girls who are interested in style and trends.

Sayed: The idea of the magazine is to show that you can look fashionable and cover up at the same time, to show how street style can combine with a head scarf.

Q: How easy is it to buy clothes?

Sayed: I find it very easy to dress. You find all kinds of things in town. It is about combinations and it has got easier since you see the influence of our fashion on general fashion.

I am a Muslim but I am also a person who is interested in fashion and I want to combine all these things.

For me it is important to cover my body, except the hands, feet and face. And within that I can wear whatever I want, but it should not be too tight and short.

My mother, friends, and relatives are very enthusiastic and I did not have to fight at all for my own style.

Heydra: These girls can't live without Zara, H&M and Mango. There is a basic set of rules and within these rules it is about choice and about modesty.

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSL2327835220070425

[*18B.L.U.E18*]

Not Surprised,

[abdulhakeem]

Islamic wear becomes trendy

Fayrooz Bailey and Lize de Kock
Tue, 24 Apr 2007

Finally, Islamic clothes have become trendy. In SA, Marie Claire magazine was first in pushing the limits on Islamic wear in a fashion shoot. We chat to Sadie Cragg, the magazine's fashion director, in an exlusive interview...

iafrica.com: Given that Islamic wear for women continues to be represented in a negative light (Britain and France have banned the veil in schools, in Afghanistan the burka is seen as a form of oppression, even modernity's ‘less is more’ scorns it) what pushed you to portray Muslim women ‘covering up’ in a positive way?

Sadie Cragg: Here in South Africa and particularly Cape Town we have a large Muslim community. In fact both the junior fashion editor and fashion assistant at Marie Claire are Muslim. We wanted to portray Muslim women as they are — fun-loving, social and interested in fashion. This was an accessories fashion story so the burka provided the perfect canvas against which to show this season’s latest bags shoes and jewellery

iafrica.com: Are you hoping this exposure will make this dress code more acceptable in a Western context?

Sadie Cragg: I think that this story will make people more familiar with women wearing burkas, as well as challenging a few stereotypes. The story portrayed Muslim women during the course of their day as relaxed and having a good time, pretty much the same as any other young woman. Our readers can see that women who wear hijab are just the same as them.

iafrica.com: How did the models feel wearing the clothes? Was it fun doing it up with the bling and accessories?

Sadie Cragg: Even though none of the models were Muslim they were very comfortable in the burkas. One of the models was from Brazil but does lots of work in the Middle East, so she had been dressed for shoots like this before. I used lots of very expensive jewellery, which is always fun. We all like trying on the real deal that we could never afford!

iafrica.com: How were the models perceived when they were out in public doing the shoot in the burkas and hijab?

Sadie Cragg: We shot in a variety of different locations, including the beach and a busy McDonalds restaurant, and didn't encounter any problems or comments. I think people in Cape Town are familiar with seeing women dressed like this.

iafrica.com: Do you believe one can be a fashionista in a burka?

Sadie Cragg: Definitely — If you look at Muslim women around the world, especially in places like Dubai and London, many of them are fashionistas. Underneath the burka are the latest designer labels. Furthermore, as the shoot proves, a bag or great shoes can be proof enough that you know your fashion trends.

iafrica.com: Please share any bright ideas you might have on how to wear these scarves and still look cool...

Sadie Cragg: You can tie the scarf in quite a few ways: either simply wrapped around the head and tied over the shoulder; or by wearing a coloured scarf underneath that peeps through at the top of the forehead that matches your bag, eye make-up or shoe; or with the fabric piled on top of the head.

iafrica.com: What has the public's reaction been to the fashion spread so far?

Sadie Cragg: We thought that this shoot might cause a bit of controversy but we have only received positive responses. We have had a very positive reaction from several Muslim readers, who have written to Marie Claire to congratulate us for portraying Muslim women in such a positive light and for challenging stereotypes. These are women who are proud to be Muslim and do not feel at all oppressed.

The burka fashion shoot featured in the April 2007 issue of Marie Claire magazine.

http://lifestyle.iafrica.com/herlife/fashionandbeauty/features/802667.htm

[peace2u]

:rolleyes: at one point, it is no longer islamic!! figure-hugging goes against the idea of modesty. what are these people thinking??


Peace

[Abu Noah]

I saw some local Muslim Girls like dressed like this the other day, figure hugging clothes, jewelery, make up but still wearing a head scarf :rubeyes:

[junaidb]

europe......n now down all they way in South Africa.......this fashion trend is catching on at an unbelievable rate....
i have recently taken note by my wife, that it seems like the agenda is to try and change the real Islamic identity.....
cos now even the cloaks and scarfs and niqaabs are blerry brand names and very stylish making it all the more attractive when it should be the opposite.......may ALLAH save us from this fitnah.....ameen


we should encourage our sisters to sew their own clothing.....ud be amazed at their talents....alhamdulillah...

Wassalaam
:coolbro: :coolbro: :coolbro:

[qasam]

The only drees in islam is the one that covers. If it covers one propely, then i have no problam with it. Oh it should be kinda loose too :D

[Rosheen]

I saw some local Muslim Girls like dressed like this the other day, figure hugging clothes, jewelery, make up but still wearing a head scarf :rubeyes:

maybe they are reverts like me trying to get used to it....

Its difficult after 26 years of westernised dressing to adjust your wardrobe

[*Starry_gal*]

The type of clothes mentioned in the first article sure dont seem islamic to me!!! :(

[Raziel]

The type of clothes mentioned in the first article sure dont seem islamic to me!!! :(

thats because they aren't ...

:jkk:

[*Starry_gal*]

http://lifestyle.iafrica.com/herlife/fashionandbeauty/features/802667.htm[/QUOTE] The burka fashion shoot featured in the April 2007 issue of Marie Claire magazine.

How is dat pic supposed to be of woman wearin 'islamic' clothing? its sooo sickenin to see muslims goin around in dat sort of gear :vomit:. May Allah protect us all and save us from stuff lyk dis :aku_aameen:

[Rosheen]

http://lifestyle.iafrica.com/herlife/fashionandbeauty/features/802667.htm The burka fashion shoot featured in the April 2007 issue of Marie Claire magazine.

How is dat pic supposed to be of woman wearin 'islamic' clothing? its sooo sickenin to see muslims goin around in dat sort of gear :vomit:. May Allah protect us all and save us from stuff lyk dis :aku_aameen:[/QUOTE]

I must say that even though I am westernised I never flash my legs like that! covered at all times!

[Raziel]

http://lifestyle.iafrica.com/herlife/fashionandbeauty/features/802667.htm The burka fashion shoot featured in the April 2007 issue of Marie Claire magazine.

How is dat pic supposed to be of woman wearin 'islamic' clothing? its sooo sickenin to see muslims goin around in dat sort of gear :vomit:. May Allah protect us all and save us from stuff lyk dis :aku_aameen:

this is a disgrace....:smack:

I hope no Muslimah's are doing that... (fashion shots like above)

:jkk:

[qasam]

The burka fashion shoot featured in the April 2007 issue of Marie Claire magazine.


this is a disgrace....:smack:

I hope no Muslimah's are doing that... (fashion shots like above)

:jkk:


The topic says that they got models from brazil etc. Anywho, it's just fashion, and there you have to show some skin. It's not like that every muslim women wearing a burka wouls show off themselves like this in public. Anyways you're missing the biggst point here. It's the non-muslims doing this, they're actully encouraging islamic clothing by having their wardrobes according to islam. So it's really good, though some simple stuff would be nice but then again, we don't live in a perfect world

[perfectpearl]

"For me it is important to cover my body, except the hands, feet and face. And within that I can wear whatever I want, but it should not be too tight and short," she said.



:rofl1: "the feet" ..... hey if ur doing something wrong dont justify its right! :rofl1: I cant believe she said the feet!!

[$HugoBoss$]

:rofl1: "the feet" ..... hey if ur doing something wrong dont justify its right! :rofl1: I cant believe she said the feet!!

Some people wear sandals :D

[perfectpearl]

Some people wear sandals :D

yea i know, but u just cant say its okay to do something when its wrong. Everyone obviously doest follow Islam like they should but you cant say its allowed unless it really is. The feet should be cover in Islam!

[$HugoBoss$]

yea i know, but u just cant say its okay to do something when its wrong. Everyone obviously doest follow Islam like they should but you cant say its allowed unless it really is. The feet should be cover in Islam!

Even for men??? I only wear sandals in the summer and long shorts sometimes when i'm playing basketball.

[perfectpearl]

Even for men??? I only wear sandals in the summer and long shorts sometimes when i'm playing basketball.

lol ..NO. What a silly question! :rolleyes:

Men get to wear what ever they want only if its cover from the belly button to the knees. U could no shoes if u want. What ever suits ur mood! :rolleyes: :D

[$HugoBoss$]

lol ..NO. What a silly question! :rolleyes:

Men get to wear what ever they want only if its cover from the belly button to the knees. U could no shoes if u want. What ever suits ur mood! :rolleyes: :D

lol i'm kinda tired from studying so i might not be making any sense tonight :scratch:. So how do you cope with those hot summer days, do you just stay home???

Oh yeah can men wear tight shirts, i know a lot of brothers that go to the gym with me and they wear medium when there supposed to be wearing extra large lol, just to show how muscular they are. I just wear my size clothing, don't need to show off.

[perfectpearl]

lol i'm kinda tired from studying so i might not be making any sense tonight :scratch:. So how do you cope with those hot summer days, do you just stay home???

Oh yeah can men wear tight shirts, i know a lot of brothers that go to the gym with me and they wear medium when there supposed to be wearing extra large lol, just to show how muscular they are. I just wear my size clothing, don't need to show off.

Stay HOME ...MUhahahahaha... I cant stay home in the summer. I have this erge to get out. Really all the clothing is a shade. But it does help to get some air in! Well yea sometimes its hard. Its gonna be my first summer with niqab so i REALLY dont know what i am gonna do! Its already hard for me to breath but inshaa Allah Allah will help me!

Hmmm...I am not some sheik here but i got lots of bros so DONT take what to do and what not to do so sersios but I think if ur not showing anything from the bellybutton to the knees then its fine. My bros ware tight (no not spandix) shirts and tanktops (i dont know what u call em) in the summer and stuff! Ask ur local sheik but make sure his not arab cuz arabs think tight shirts mean ...unstraight!

[$HugoBoss$]

Stay HOME ...MUhahahahaha... I cant stay home in the summer. I have this erge to get out. Really all the clothing is a shade. But it does help to get some air in! Well yea sometimes its hard. Its gonna be my first summer with niqab so i REALLY dont know what i am gonna do! Its already hard for me to breath but inshaa Allah Allah will help me!

Hmmm...I am not some sheik here but i got lots of bros so DONT take what to do and what not to do so sersios but I think if ur not showing anything from the bellybutton to the knees then its fine. My bros ware tight (no not spandix) shirts and tanktops (i dont know what u call em) in the summer and stuff! Ask ur local sheik but make sure his not arab cuz arabs think tight shirts mean ...unstraight!

Yeah nobody can stay home in the summer, it's not possible. Yeah it might be hard for you moreso because it's going to be your first time but inshallah you will get a lot of reward for it. I always wonder how niqabis breathe, must be hard but you probably get used to it.

Yeah i can ask a imam or raise the question in the brothers section :D

[.: Anna :.]

sister feet is not considered awra within hanafi madhhab... the fact that she mentioned feet there is not really a problem, the tight clothes is problem but feet in hanafi madhab is acceptable..

[perfectpearl]

sister feet is not considered awra within hanafi madhhab... the fact that she mentioned feet there is not really a problem, the tight clothes is problem but feet in hanafi madhab is acceptable..

I always read and was told that the feet needed to covered. Can you please get a daleel for that?

[.: Rashid :.]

tight shorts are bad if they actually reveal the awrah between the navel and the knees...Plus their intention is to show off, which is bad in itself. You should encourage them to not do that.

tight shirts and tank tops or whatever are fine for brothers...its the upper body. Suits some brothers, doesn't suit others. Depends on your intention also...if its to show off your tupac crunk pecs then its :nono:

-Rashid

[imported_islamirama]

I always read and was told that the feet needed to covered. Can you please get a daleel for that?

Here's something from a more knowledgeable forum:up:



Question:
What is the proof that women have to cover their feet during prayer for prayer to be accepted?


Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

The free woman who has attained the age of majority is obliged to cover her entire body during prayer, apart from her face and hands, because all of her is ‘awrah. If she prays and any part of her ‘awrah becomes uncovered, such as a shin or foot or all or part of her head, then her prayer is invalid, because the Prophet said:
"Allaah will not accept the prayer of a woman who has started to menstruate, except with a khimaar (covering)" (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Maajah and al-Tirmidhi, with a saheeh isnaad)

Abu Dawud reported from Umm Salamah that she asked the Prophet about a woman who prayed wearing a dir’ (chemise or upper garment) and a khimaar (head cover), but no izaar (lower garment). He said: "The woman is ‘awrah."

As for the face, the Sunnah is to uncover it during prayer, so long as no non-mahram men are present. According to the majority of scholars, the feet must be covered; some scholars allow uncovering the feet but the majority say the opposite. Abu Dawud reported from Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that she was asked about a woman who prayed in a khimaar and qamees (dress or gown). She said, "There is nothing wrong with it if the dir’ (chemise) covers her feet." In any case, it is better to cover the feet, to be on the safe side. As far as the hands are concerned, there is more leeway: there is nothing wrong with either covering them or uncovering them, although some scholars think that it is better to cover them. And Allaah is the Source of strength.



Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, by Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, p. 57