MSLM and Muslim Chics
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A while ago, the International Herald Tribune had an article about how Muslim fashion designers are getting more creative:
But young Muslim entrepreneurs around the world are making their own fashion statements, modestly, challenging the status quo in their communities as well as stereotypes outside.
[...]
Specialty fashion houses and companies starting distinct ranges intended for fashion-conscious women who observe hijab, which means either covering one’s head or, more broadly, dressing modestly, is part of a much wider trend. Filling a market gap for products that either comply with Shariah law or that are simply more attractive to Muslim values is a niche that is attracting increasing numbers of manufacturers and retailers. Toys like the Fulla doll, a modest Barbie of sorts, and comic books with Islamic superheroes like “The 99″ are as much a part of this sector as the traditional domains of Islamic finance and halal, or permissible, food.
One of the most interesting designs are the Burqini Swimsuits, specially this female Muslim lifeguard (to the left) in Australia (photo by brimfulofsasha). Definitely not as sexy as Pamela Anderson in Baywatch (to the right), but it serve the purpose, unless your purpose is something else :-p .
What actually brought this subject to my mind is this new Muslim Fashion Magazine, MSLM. The magazine is for Muslim women in the Netherlands.
A group of young fashion-minded women, mostly second generation Moslem clearly stands out in our society. MSLM shows the fashion of this group. Because these young women grew up in the Netherlands, because they are Dutch, their background creates a fashion-clash which results in new interesting forms and silhouettes for both Moslem and non-Moslem women. Designers are inspired and influenced by this, use elements of another culture or design custom-fit products. From traditional to trendy, from the Mid-East to the West.
By MSLM MAMA is showing how we can play in to the wishes of this group of girls whom, with their extra frame of rules and their colourful background, have specific demands for the way they dress. MAMA is very curious to what the industry has planned for them!
[Source: MAMA]
Natasa Heydra has a little preview of the shoots in the magazine here (click thumbnail on the right) and more exciting shoots from the MSLM Exhibition here!
Also don’t miss these photoshoots in MSLM fashion magazine - “Where tradition and modernity meet” :
More here!
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11 Comments on “MSLM and Muslim Chics”
A wonderful magazine. Would you please advice on how I could get a copy or for subscription ?
Thank you.
I really have no idea, Ammoontie. Try following some of the links above, maybe you’ll find something.
Very interesting.. How do Muslim women dress? Is there a code of what can and canot be under the vail, how strictly are the dress codes followed? And what do men wear?
Martina,
There is no restrictions for what women can wear under her Abaya, since it will not show anyway.
While they are dressed with veil in front of stranger men, they are dressed fashionably and put the best makeup in front of other females, husbands, brothers, uncles and kids.
The tattoos bother me.
I personally hate tattoos.
Sorry, a personally thing. Just like piercings.
We have enough holes in our heads.
What you wear is what makes you comfortable.
After 34+ years of marriage, I am finding that all of us are different.
If you want to wear a tent to cover yourself or nothing at all, so be it.
I will see the woman as who she is. Nothing else matters.
In my field of service, I have dealt with all kinds of people and I love them all.
Religion and politics mean nothing.
We are all equal!
Kimmy,
These are not tattoos. This body art is called ‘Henna’
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna ) and you don’t need to make holes
In fact my 5 years old daughter had Henna on her hands this Eid, and every few months since she was 2
Sorry,
I didn’t know that.
I am learning.
Today I met a Lebanese person who was a Muslim.
We are in total agreement that OBL and Bush are terrorists.
One is legal because of the US Constitution.
You only get 3 guesses for the US culprit, and the first two don’t count.
Personally, I believe the whole fashion trend is going a bit too far - from a practicing Muslim perspective. One should be humble and dress moderately not excess in luxury. It is just a way for fashionists to earn money on clothing that is not even worth half of their price - in this age of consumerism women fall too often into this trap.
Fashion is also about creativity and personality. I think you can go to extremes with anything not only fashion. I think a practicing muslim should be balanced in their attitutes to life, that includes clothing. You are right tho some clothes aren’t worth buying that is why we can design and sew our own clothes with our chosen fabric and colour.
I would like the follow up comment through my email please.