GAYA Magazine Nov 16 - Hijab & modest fashion for today's Muslim women

November 2016

FRINGADINE THE

PARISIAN MODEST FASHION

FASHION WEEK RUNDOWN

JAKARTA FASHION WEEK SINGAPORE FASHION WEEK

November 2016

Contents Click Here

Cover Story Fringadine Parisian Modest Fashion

Fashion    

Click Here

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Click Here  

Fringadine - Parisian Modest Fashion Aatiya London Jenahara Black Label A Thousand for Modest Go-See for KL Modest Fashion Week Singapore Fashion Week Access Zalora at Jakarta Fashion Week Expressing Diversity in Fashion Fashionable Moms

Jakarta Fashion Week

Beauty

Click Here

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Not just a pretty face

Inspire 

Jenahara Black Label Click Here

Hijab - a weapon for you or against you?

Food  

Santaro by Gion Greek Chicken Salad

Click Here

Work 

Better Sleep with Colours

Disclaimer: All rights reserved. No part of this magazine or content may be reproduced or used without the written permission of the publisher: C.A. Editorial Consultants. All information contained in this magazine is for information only, and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. The views, ideas, comments, and opinions expressed in this publication are solely of the writers, interviewees, press agencies, and manufacturers and do not represent the views of the editor or the publisher. Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy and honesty in both editorial and advertising content at press time, the publisher will not be liable for any inaccuracies or losses incurred. Readers are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this magazine. If you submit material to us, you automatically grant C.A. Editorial Consultants a license to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including licensed editions worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world.

TEAMG AYA Our Writers

Co-founder & CEO Editor-in-chief Juliana Iskandar juliana@gayamagazine.com

Country Editor Australia Mastura Koelmeyer

Country Editor Bangladesh Mumtahana Elahi

Aateka Samara Amal El Gharbi Ana Maria Aneesa Asma Toujani Assil Taha Atikah Amalina Ayesha Khan Aylim Duran Azrina Naimuddin Bushra Amjad Hakeemah Cummings Hanisah Maskon Hanna Begum Hajar Masri Hira Ali Idil Mohamed Ali Iqra Arif Lamaa Husseini Lamya Ayad Layla Rodrigues Lipa Hussain Madiha Ahmed Mahnoor Malik Malikah Ebrahim Marwa Samara Mahvash Rehman

Nada Alzalloum Nadia Ali Nafisa Bakkar Naseema Miah Nawal Boukir Nouhailah Rahma Talwar Regine Maryam Reham Khan Roda Abdi Rym Shamas Siddika Jaffer Safira Adam Sajeda Sheikh Saleema Shah Salma Shalaby Sana Mahmood Sanae Chakrouni Sara Dekkiche Sarah Ghanem Shazia Javed Hassam Sheema Sherry Sheikha Haroon Shuhada Alauddin Unaizah Toffar Zoya Khan

Editorial Assistant Atikah Zainuddin Designer Jessalynne Woo

Beauty Editor Naira Ghanem

Marketing & Distribution Byte.ME Pte. Ltd.

join our team of writers.

magazine@gayamagazine.com

Jihad.

he world is changing - weather is getting erratic, politics are running like a reality show, currency is taking a dip and the global population is making a turn towards Islam. From media to marketing, Islam or Muslims are the in thing - sometimes good, sometimes bad.

The global Muslim population is set to rise from 1.6 billion to 2.8 billion by 2050. And this is the world's most rapidly developing consumer group. From food to fashion, the new generation of Muslims around the world is making up that big demographic. More so the new generation of Muslim women. Not just because women love to shop, that’s a given.

But aside from food and entertainment which covers both genders, Muslim women consume fashion, beauty, pharmaceuticals, more than men. Furthermore, with the hijab, Muslim women are physically more recognizable as a Muslim than men. (I’m not talking about the men in thobes here.)

As we all know, the fastest growing religion in the world is Islam, the most unrepresented and misunderstood religion is also Islam. That is the sad reality. But it doesn’t have to be that way and many of us - the new generation of Muslims - are taking matters into our own hands. Sounds like a jihad. Well, in reality it is.

Naturally, global brands are slowly sitting up to take notice. From Uniqlo, to Apple, to now CoverGirl, brands are taking notice and giving us a chance to be represented. Is this is a good thing? If done well, yes. Sadly many brands don’t seem to understand that Muslims come in all shapes, colours, nationality and ethnicity.

The word jihad unfortunately has taken on a negative connotation. Why? Look through the newspapers and it’s evident why. But the word jihad simply means fighting a struggle within oneself or striving for something. And that can be anything. From achieving a lifelong dream of opening up a cupcake shop, to the struggle of having your voice heard when all the world sees you as is a girl in a hijab. #iammorethanmyhijab

Many simply think an Arab is a Muslim and non-Arabs aren’t. I say, come over to Asia for a visit and you’ll see all of us in different shades of colour. And I guess that’s my jihad.

Through the pages of GAYA, I get to let these individual and unique voices speak in their own words. To let the world know that, hey, Muslim women are here and we come in peace. I’d like to have your voice heard.

Email me to join my cause.

The jihad of today’s generation of Muslims is to have their voices heard. In a peaceful manner of course. Taking to social media, this new generation of Muslims, made up of YouTubers and bloggers, believe modernity and spirituality go hand in hand. That we can indeed assimilate in today’s modern society without compromising our belief and faith.

love & peace...

and it’s not what you think...

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Juliana Iskandar juliana@gayamagazine.com @dayinthelifeof_jules

Fashion

PARISIAN MODEST FASHION

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élène and Malika, the brand’s two young designers are developing a high end clothing line, with a subtle yet unique style. The brand comes up with a unique approach on long-lasting beautiful clothes that tell a story, thus creating a timeless style that distinguishes itself from usual trends. Fringadine clothes are must-have basics to any woman’s closet because they have an elegant finish, are excellent quality and come in a range of timeless colors to choose from.

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Malika and Helen, you both came together as friends to start Fringadine.

What inspired you to start the brand?

Our friendship started about ten years ago, as both our daughters used to go to the same school. And we have stuck together ever since.

We were both teachers so we set up some educational projects together.

All these years, we have thrived as both moms and wives. In the meantime, Malika had moved to the UK with her family, but our bonds remained as strong as ever. With the English Channel separating us and both of us turning 40, we decided that we wanted to do something for ourselves, in order to spice up our lives, come up with something new.

To be honest, we were not destined to work in the fashion industry at all. We realized that in places like Malaysia, Turkey, the Middle East, fashion had its own cultural DNA, whereas in France it was close to non-existent.

As Muslimahs, we couldn’t find any clothes fitting our dress code, with that Parisian touch which defines us as a brand today. We were both born in Paris, so it was a non-brainer to add that French Touch to our designs. So that’s when Fringadine was born, a human, personal and professional venture.

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We decided to put our own twist on the worldly famous Coco Chanel Little Black Dress by adding just a little more fabric to make it modest. You won’t find anything showy nor flashy at Fringadine, rather chic pieces with an attention to detail and an amazing quality. In a world of overconsumption, being modest doesn’t just mean wearing non-revealing clothes.

It is a way of life, a way of consuming, seeing fashion differently, an orientation towards Slow Fashion. Aren’t we what we wear? We definitely have favored traditional craftsmanship over industrial production. All of our collections are made in very few quantities in small Parisian workshops. The Fringadine woman loves the exclusivity and the limited editions, and she embraces the values of the brand.

With everything we have been seeing in the media, did you have any concerns starting a modest fashion brand in France?

Modest fashion has been around for years across the US, Brazil and the UK, and it is still expanding. Wearing long clothes is not just for Muslim women.

High fashion houses who are present in the Middle East adjust their designs to fit their clients’ wishes. Their intentions may be money-driven, but still they are opening up to other cultures.

Minimalist Ivory Top Ultra-fresh and simple, you’ll love this top. So chic and classy for a perfect minimalist look.

Chestnut Pant Skirt From Malaysian inspiration this fluid and light pant skirt is just the perfect piece for a trendy and comfortable look.

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The controversy in France is so big, it is baffling. Modest clothes have been denounced by the French public opinion as violating women’s rights and liberty.

As French women and as Muslimahs, we do not agree! Just like other designers, Fringadine caters to women who want longer and wider clothes, in order to feel more comfortable, elegant and chic. Not all women wish to wear skinny jeans and short skirts. And this does not apply to Muslim women only.

Many women of other religions, or even atheists have chosen Modest Fashion.

Lately, women’s clothes have had a tendency to become shorter, whereas the barriers and the violence against women are still an issue and have increased. That is what we need to focus on and take action.

Why would we have to stick to one specific dress code? This doesn’t make any sense, there are so many different styles and aspirations out there. The launch of such a line by the big brands doesn’t have a huge impact in Englishspeaking countries. It is just as if they created a plus size line.

And just like Fringadine, these brands were simply answering a request by their customers to dress modestly.

Why reject them? Fashion is all about mixing and creating bonds between conflicting cultures.

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Buckingham Black Wool Cape Made from soft mixed wool fabric, the cape is completely lined and the perfect piece for all seasons.

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What was the inspiration behind the Fall/Winter collection?

To be honest, it is pretty hard to explain what inspires us. It may sound a little cliché, but everything inspires us.

Our daily lives, religion, relatives and people we meet, social media, the news, the streets, shops, TV, girl talk, anything really! We are like sponges. It takes just a little detail to make our brains go crazy. Then we take notes and draw.

It could be 3 in the morning, it doesn’t matter, we need write it down.

Whenever we launch a collection, the idea is not just selling clothes. We are extremely passionate about our project.

Fringadine is a brand which has a true sensitivity, quality is very important to us and our customer service is really outstanding and we share with our customers on social media and the blog.

We are no fashion addicts, even though we do follow trends. We design unique pieces that we enjoy wearing with a French Touch which makes them stand out. They are chic and comfortable, from day to night.

You can mix them however you want and they can be worn with either sneakers or nice heels.

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With modest fashion and the hijab changing the landscape of fashion today, what are your hopes and aspirations for your brand or the industry?

You can find our collections online at fringadine.com or at the MODLIST showroom in beautiful Chelsea, London.

We hope that Fringadine grows into something bigger and new creative people join our team. We would love to have our own showroom in Paris, where clients could visit us to get a look behind the scenes and try the collections on.

What motivates us most is the idea for Fringadine to always remain an ethical brand, choosing quality over quantity.

It is just like bringing up a child. You teach them certain values, hoping it’ll help them become a responsible person.

Our goal is for all women who want to wear trendy, timeless pieces - carefully made out of exclusive and unique fabric, - and who are no fashion victims to wear our designs.

And more importantly, we want to let the whole world know that Parisian fashion with the Fringadine collection can definitely be modest and Muslim-friendly.

fringadine.com

Fashion

Women of Cultures

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Aatiya London x Bubblegumhijab Mix & Match

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atiya London, Muslimah fashion label from the United Kingdom brings the global evolution of modest fashion through the collection "Women of Cultures". Each piece symbolizes the diversity of Muslim women in London.

The collection consists of jackets, palazzo pants, skirts, dresses and hijabs.

Asian influences are beautifully infused in the collection through high quality material such as brocade and satin.

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"Women of Cultures" by Aatiya London has become a phenomenon amongst modest fashion followers in the United Kingdom, and is also favored by many fashion bloggers. Each piece is designed for Muslim women who love to style individual versatile pieces together to represent their own style whether it be casual or formal.

The success behind the collection stems from a collaboration between Aatiya London and celebrities and

Charley Hafiz in One-Piece Max Jacket in Beige

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London Blogger Aneesa of Hijabi in London in Two-Piece Peplum Kurung in Navy Blue

social media bloggers, that produced unique designs which are elegant yet versatile. Each piece of the collection is beautifully balanced between the modern and the traditional as seen in its typically Asian design, which marks Malaysia as the next launch destination after making its release in the United Kingdom.

"Women of Cultures" features seven pieces in a variety of colours; Two-Piece Exclusive Maxi Jacket, One-Piece Maxi 14

Jacket, Peplum Kurung, Two-Piece Kurung with Diamente, Two-Piece Kurung with Lace, Wrapped Maxi Skirt and Wrapped Palazzo. aatiyalondon.com

Fashion

he Queen of Punk, the title that is synonymous with legendary singer Patti Smith, was the inspiration behind Jenahara Nasution’s Jenahara Black Label collection for Jakarta Fashion Week 2017.

Patti Smith, a musician, songwriter, poet and visual artist who had a big impact in the emergence of the New York punk scene, played muse to the Jenahara Black Label and the core for the brand itself.

Themed “The Writer’s Song”, Jenahara aimed to showcase a different side of Modest Fashion – displaying an edgy style yet still maintaining the modesty observed by Muslim women.

Jenahara’s love for music has always been a big influence in every collection she creates. Born to musician parents, Keenan Nasution and Ida Royani, music was always a big part of her life.

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“The Writer’s Song” was, put simply, a song about powerful women.

The edginess of the collection visually vocalizes the power of Muslim women today - women who successfully navigate through today’s social climate yet are strong and steadfast by their morals and principals, unwavering in their modest fashion sense.

That being said, Jenahara succeeded in infusing fashion and music into a unified collection. Poems and lyrics of Patti Smith’s songs were carefully interwoven in this collection, paying homage to 17

Smith’s inspirational character and statements which have inspired many and have greatly influenced the music scene as well as fashion.

Jenahara Nasution, the designer, has always put her all into every collection she creates, always paying attention to every little detail. In keeping with the distinguished characteristics of the Jenahara Black Label, from the sewing technique, clean and minimalistic designs, and its ability to be mixed and matched, this collection was dominated by cotton and gabardine materials.

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Many of its statement pieces were its white shirts and loose black pants which were, in this collection, combined with body accessories from the House of Jealouxy - a third collaborative effort between the two labels. “My purpose behind the creation of this collection is to show that inspiration can come from everywhere, even from music. Every person has a different perspective and view about fashion.

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I wanted to bring about a new way of thinking towards modest fashion for the Muslim woman.

Up till this point, hijab fashion or modest fashion has always been associated with feminine and elegant designs. But with this collection, I wanted to show that hijab fashion or modest fashion can take on a very different, or rather edgy, character,�

Jenahara Nasution.

Fashion

A THOUSAND FOR MODEST GO-SEE

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uala Lumpur Modest Fashion Week 2016 (KLMFW2016) has done its casting call on 22nd and 23rd October in IOI City Mall Putrajaya and received around 1000 visitors over the two days.

Named ‘MODEST RUNWAY’, the first ever casting done at the mall searched for 10 local ladies to represent Malaysia for Kuala Lumpur Modest Fashion Week 2016 this December.

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The judges gracing the event were, Mr. Azril Kama, Director of Base Model Management, Mrs. Ara Lee from Muslima Model and Talent, Mr. Zainuddin, a former model, Mr. Hasirol Azuan, Director of Serindit Photography and Mrs. Emy Yuzliza, Founder of Moslema In Style. The 200 candidates were assessed based on their appearance, attitude, how photogenic they are and their runway walk.

Emcee of the casting was the bubbly actress Nadya Syahera who grabbed the attention of the huge crowd with her energetic vibe.

There were other activities at the event that kept participants entertained.

Tickets to KLMFW 2016 were sold at the event by Moslema in Style.

KLMFW 2016 will give participants an exclusive sneak peek to the global modest 2017 trend forecast.

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There were three other booths set up at the casting spot - FARIDISM, the official production for KLMFW2016, BASE Model Management and Hijab Hair Spray by G'queen.

Model candidates took home goodie bags from Cosmoderm, a renowned skin care company producing halal affordable products in the country.

For more on KLMFW visit: klmodestfashionweek.com

Fashion

ALORA, Asia’s online fashion destination, today announced its partnership with Singapore Fashion Week as the Official E-Tail Partner. This is the second time the online fashion brand is taking part in one of the region’s biggest fashion events of the year.

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As the Official E-Tail Partner, ZALORA will be hosting a shoppable Singapore Fashion Week microsite on ZALORA.com that will feature curated collections from Fashion Futures Showcase and Singapore Fashion Week Access, a dedicated show segment for Singapore designers.

ZALORA presented three Singapore designers and labels namely, Stolen, Aijek, and Max Tan in the Fashion Futures Showcase. Fashion fans in Singapore can purchase the collections on ZALORA from today onwards.

As part of ZALORA’s commitment to stay up-to-date with the latest trends within the industry, ZALORA is embracing the ‘see now, buy now’ model enabling fashion show goers to purchase their favourite looks immediately.

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“ZALORA is proud to be supporting local designer talent in one of the most anticipated fashion events of the year,” said Parker Gundersen, Chief Executive Officer of ZALORA Group.

“We’re very passionate about supporting the local fashion industry across all of our markets in Asia, and Singapore Fashion Week provides a great opportunity for us to give the region’s top designers exposure to millions of new consumers on our online platform.

It’s also an exciting way for our customers to discover new fashion and to buy product straight from the runway.”

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“Singapore Fashion Week is delighted to be working with ZALORA again this year, as we recognise the growing impact and importance of digital and social media, and connecting designers and labels with customers via e-commerce. With the growing trend of ‘See Now, Buy Now’ as well, I believe that online retailers like ZALORA will play an ever-growing role in partnerships with fashion weeks around the world,” commented Tjin Lee, Founder and Chairman of Singapore Fashion Week.

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ZALORA also strongly believes in making fashion more inclusive and accessible. To further engage fashion consumers, the Fashion Futures Showcase was live-streamed on ZALORA where viewers at home can watch the shows and access exclusive content. Catch all the exciting happenings at Singapore Fashion Week Fashion Futures Showcase on social media at #ZALORAxSGFW. 26

Shop Max Tan Spring/Summer 2017, Stolen Spring/Summer 2017, and Aijek Fall/Winter 2016 collections at www.zalora.sg/fashion-week-singapore and on the ZALORA mobile app. zalora.sg/fashion-week-singapore

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Fashion

ZALORA

AT JAKARTA FASHION WEEK Zalora collaborates with three Indonesian Designers for JFW

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alora, the largest online fashion destination in Asia is proud to collaborate with three young Indonesian designers to create an exclusive collection for ZALORA Indonesia customers.

Its mission is to become the top destination for fashion enthusiasts who seek a variety of the latest products.

Fashionable and varied, ZALORA collaborated with Danjyo Hiyoji, I.K.Y.K, and Sejauh Mata Memandang on the exclusive collection.

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Jakarta Fashion Week was picked as a place to showcase their latest designs to the public. Jakarta Fashion Week is the biggest annual fashion week in Southeast Asia that have contributed in bringing the Indonesian fashion industry forward to penetrate the world fashion market.

ZALORA Indonesia CEO, Anthony Fung said, "We are excited to collaborate with three famous Indonesian designer who have made an exclusive collection for ZALORA. We hope ZALORA can continue to expand our portfolio of Indonesian designers in our platform.

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The three designers have a design aesthetic that is different from one another, so we're happy that they can satisfy the diverse taste of consumers."

One of the fashion label collaborating with ZALORA is Danjyo Hiyoji.

Inspired by the young spirit that can increase self-confidence, Danjyo Hiyoji, launched in 2009 by Dana Maulana and Liza Masitha, focuses on a collection of ready-to-wear for men and women.

Danjyo Hiyoji was inspired by the evolving needs of fashion fans. Using the same treatment for each material, 30

Danjyo Hiyoji presented variations through highly diverse color palette with asymmetrical cutting techniques.

Unlike Danjyo Hiyoji, the ready-to-wear label by Anandia Putri, I.K.Y.K (I Know You Know) was created with modern pieces, inspired by the designs and techniques that exist in Indonesia, Japan and Korea.

Each I.K.Y.K piece combined earthy colors with environmentally friendly materials that prioritizes comfort. This collection consists of clothing that offers strong and powerful effects; two words

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that every woman needs to be able to win the 'battle' in life but without forgetting the element of femininity.

Sejauh Mata Memandang’s design is made with love and has a unique story of each.

Lastly, Sejauh Mata Memandang by Chitra Subijakto combines simplicity with a love of design and pattern.

Working closely with artists in Sumba, Bali and Java, Sejauh Mata Memandang created their textiles with traditional techniques. Designs in this collection is inspired by the trees, flowers and fruit carved on the wall of Borobudur temple which has given life to man, is also a portrait engraving of adventure and a love story from hundreds of years ago.

All three designers will create an exclusive collection for ZALORA with the theme of The Urbanist reserved for men and women in Indonesia who are urban and modern. The Urbanist is a collection by all three designers that are wearable and easy to mix and match, and of course can be transformed to be worn from morning to night.

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zalora.co.id

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Fashion

Expressing Diversity In Fashion In a globalized world filled with complexity, open markets and Starbucks (yes, I love coffee), but also with beauty and multiculturalism, I find modest fashion to be an extraordinary way of expressing diversity.

Written by Amal El Gharbi Photos by Shaykimane Photography

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“

...I really consider myself as a citizen of this globalized and constantly changing world, where it seems that there are no cultural boundaries anymore...

�

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Well at least when it comes to fashion the recent fashion weeks in New York, Paris, London, Milan speak volumes about that great fact actually.

I really consider myself as a citizen of this globalized and constantly changing world, where it seems that there are no cultural boundaries anymore.

I wish it could be the same at the sociopolitical level. Anyways, back to fashion...I love incorporating cultural fashion into my own. The Indian culture, for example, inspired me to throw on a pashmina over shoulder to create a unique look.

or example with mixing cultural styles in our way of dressing.

I enjoy trying every look, from classic to ethnic, from casual to chic.

I love mixing styles as it is a way of expressing my dual culture which is Moroccan and Belgian.

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“

...I love incorporating cultural fashion into my own. The Indian culture, for example, inspired me to throw on a pashmina over shoulder to create a unique look...

�

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Minimalistic designs also inspire me a lot as I find it so close to the Islamic spirit of simplicity.

Al Anaqa (beauty and aesthetics) is part of Islam’s philosophy. That’s why I believe that being passionate about fashion is not incompatible with practicing religion, as some might impose. There is creativity in each of us, some like to express it, some hide it and others do not even realize they possess it. Everyone is free to choose their way of expressing their identity, whatever the philosophy may be.

What I really like about modest fashion is the fact that it gathers men and women from different backgrounds and philosophies around one interest: the aesthetics and modesty. I am deeply convinced that our world really needs even more points of convergence and synergies.

What’s your take on modest fashion?

Aamaly THE WRITER: AMAL EL GHARBI Editor, translator, writer for Peace, born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Aamaly - alias Amal El Gharbi, is passionate about modest fashion and interested in social and women issues. Aamaly mag is a bilingual online space created after an inspirational trip to Canada to share passion for modest fashion, but also insights on women’s conditions, education and society.

aamalymag.wordpress.com 37

@aamalymag

Fashion

Fashionable Moms How to stay trendy & comfy

The need to cover up with a hijab is a something that every Muslim woman has to consider in their fashion choices. Yet, when you’re also a mother, there are so many more things to take into account. How do you achieve a look that’s still stylish, protects your modesty and is comfortable enough to survive the busy lifestyle that a mother has? It may seem daunting at first but, as Mandela once said, “everything seems impossible until it’s done”. Think you can’t get the right hijab outfit as a Muslim mother?

Think again...

Written by Sarah Ghanem

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Keep it Comfy What does a mother do? In short, everything! When you get down to it, however, a mum is always running from one task to the next.

If it's not taking care of the children, it’s looking after the house, working a job, doing the cleaning or something else entirely.

It never really ends, which is why your Modest clothes should form a comfortable outfit that isn’t afraid of a little running.

When it comes to staying comfortable, the big secret lies in choosing loose clothes. There may be a time for tight jackets, but it’s certainly not during a typical day.

Try baggy tops - these still offer modesty, yet ensure more comfort and a wider range of movement.

You can pair these with various loose pants or stretchable leggings.

Why not even pair Aladdin pants with your typical t-shirts for extra volume?

Of course, the real challenge is managing to run from task to task while keeping your hijab on!

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ACCESSORISE While some women may prefer to use draped layers of cloth for their hijab, this often gets in the way during a very hectic day. Instead, why not try a more subtle and sophisticated approach, such as a knotted bandana or even a turban style hijab? These can still be used to add a touch of colour or style without getting in the way.

If you really want to accessorise, why not try keeping your wrap in place with jewellery. A broach is a unique and funky way to secure your scarf, offering a subtle chic touch with practical benefits.

Furthermore, a stylish necklace, or even some rings, help to add a hint of elegance without getting in the way of your motherly obligations!

The same can also be said for your choice of shoes. While comfort is a factor, you don’t need to resign yourself to crocs, slippers and other home footwear that many mothers have long since accepted.

Whether it’s a pair of funky sandals or sleek espadrilles, there are many comfortable options that still give out plenty of stylish vibes.

Not only will these help your outfit stand out from the other mothers on the school run, you’ll also get plenty of compliments (and the odd jealous sigh) from your many girlfriends!

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PATTERNS & PRINTS When you look at some of the most famous and iconic hijabi women, one aspect of their style always stands out: making the most of different colours, bold prints and stripes can help transform any ensemble!

Today’s hijabi stylists have access to numerous different fabrics and materials, such as lace and viscose.

Yet, if you want to stick with more traditional options, you can still use patterns to create the right image. Try complimenting or contrasting to get the look you want.

It’s a well-kept secret among many fashionistas that the right print will do all the work for you. Even if you’re busy during a work meeting or preparing lunch, an elegant pattern ensures you look your best.

Alternatively, why not try something more monochromic, rather than complimenting or contrasting different colours? This creates a striking attire in its own right, without implying that you’re trying. Of course, when in doubt, a powerful statement bag is always a great go-to item - it certainly works for models like Gigi Hadid!

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APPRECIATE YOURSELF Before others can appreciate you, you must first be comfortable yourself. Being a mother isn’t just about taking care of other people! Neither does it mean you have to wear drab clothing. Like any woman, you deserve to take care of yourself once in a while and everyone deserves to dress, eat and live their best.

Ultimately, you may be busy being a full time mum, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look great at the same time!

So put down the apron, change out of your slippers and start enjoying your image!

THE WRITER: SARAH GHANEM Sarah is a hijabista and fashion consultant at Modanisa, who is always on the lookout for the latest Muslim fashion trends and styles. She is also keen to explore the intricacies of the Western and Islamic fashion world and she happily shares her thoughts with readers from all over the world.

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Beauty

Not just a W

elcome to the life of an online beauty shopaholic. Naira G, our resident Beauty Editor, tries out new products that she’s added to her collection to give you the rundown on what’s good.

As a makeup addict, she takes her job seriously...Here are some of the newest additions to her makeup and beauty bag.

Written by Naira Ghanem

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CLARINS

toning LOTION

I only started using a toner recently, never really knew what it was used for. It’s a perfect method for makeup removal, all you need is a cotton pad. It literally removes every speckle of foundation on your skin, and works far better than a makeup wipe, no matter how much you rub.

Enriched with purifying Iris and Sage extracts, it tones and tightens pores. This one in particular is suitable for combination to oily skin so it’s not as concentrated as other makeup wipes that leave your face looking shiny. It’s also alcohol free so it isn’t drying.

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supreme

SEPHORA CLEANSING OIL

Now this is a really funky skincare product. I picked it up assuming it was an oil, and I just thought this would be nice to use at night. When I got home and read the directions, I realised that it’s a wash. You pump some onto your palm, add water and it forms a lotion to wash your face with! How cool is that.

It leaves your skin plump, hydrated and it smells so refreshing! It also contains cotton seed oil which is full of Vitamin E, a perfect antioxidant for your skin. Again this is a perfect way to remove your makeup at the end of the day without drying your face out with wipes.

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KIEHLS

powerful-strength

CONCENTRATE So I came across this concentrate, and because of its higher price I was reluctant to purchase it at first but something in me told me to just go for it. And I’m glad I did. I don’t feel an ounce of regret for purchasing it. It works amazingly well and has helped reduce the visibility of fine lines around the eyes as well as increased the radiance around the eye area.

Although it focuses on anti-aging, which I don’t need just as yet, there is no harm in hydrating your under eyes. You only need a pea-sized amount for both eyes, apply and massage it in with your index finger.

Remember, with eye creams consistency is key, so it should be used day and night.

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magic

egyptian All purpose skin cream

So I’m sure you have seen many online raves about this product. It’s everywhere on Facebook. It looked too good to be true! I purchased it in the smallest size to try out first.

Oh the things I do for you readers. *smile* Its ingredients are all natural, containing Olive oil, Beeswax, Honey, Propolis, Pollen and Royal jelly. It’s my first all-natural cream. What I love about it is that it can be used anywhere on the body. It should be rubbed between your fingers to warm up before application. Personally, I used it more on my body rather than my face because I don’t want to add excess oils to my face and break out. So if you want to use it on your face, I would only recommend this for people with dry to normal skin.

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ILLAMASQUA

beyond powder

This is my first ever product from Illamasqua. Nothing they had before interested me to be quite honest but I randomly snatched this in store and purchased it without hesitation. It’s the perfect highlight for me, between gold and rose gold, giving a light champagne colour. Other than that it’s probably one of the most pigmented highlighters I’ve seen, without being too opaque giving a fake look.

It’s buildable so you can either create a soft dewy look or a ‘highlight on fleek’ look. What’s even better is that it comes in such a big box that you will never ever run out.

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KIKO BRIGHT

duo baked EYESHADOW So I’ve been looking for a duo eyeshadow for a long time, but couldn’t find one where I liked both colours in it.

Duo eyeshadows make life so much easier when you’re short for time in the morning. You have a crease colour and a lid colour which saves time choosing what colours you want to apply, whether they match and actually finding them amongst the makeup mess. I chose this colour because I love burgundy on the crease and the light pink always looks good on the lid. You can crest enough smokiness with this to not need eyeliner.

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Nyx mineral

matte finish powder

At such a low price you would be crazy to miss out on this one. I always prefer using a skin-coloured setting powder. I feel white or translucent ones give you an angry or ashy look. Also it gives you an extra layer of coverage which is always needed as I apply my foundation lightly.

In terms of how well it sets, I would score it a 7 out of 10. It doesn’t patch up, and your skin doesn’t get oily until about 6 hours which is amazing.

I definitely don’t need to use a setting spray when I use this powder.

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Charlotte tilbury

penelope pink

The perfect pink based nude combination.

These are my first purchases from Charlotte Tilbury and I am in love with the creamy texture and long lasting colour. Although it’s a nude colour, it is pigmented enough to show up on my tan skin tone. What I love most is that they have matching lipsticks and lip liners that go together so well, making your search so much easier. The lip liner especially lasts up to 6 hours so your lips keep their shape, don’t smudge and its waterproof.

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So those are a few new products that I love and have added to my collection. Hope you enjoyed reading and maybe found something you liked!

If you’ve tried any of these items, be sure to tag us on Insta to tell us what you think.

Insya’Allah I’ll have another ‘new to my collection’ article coming soon. Till then, stay sparkling!

Lots of love,

BEAUTY EDITOR: NAIRA GHANEM Hey I’m Naira, just an ordinary student with big dream! Whether its fashion, make up or daily life, join me on my journey. Whether big or small, we can take on the world, with a pretty face and a pretty heart.

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@naira_gh

Inspire

a weapon for you or against you?

Written by Rahma Talwar

nce preached as an act of devotion; today the hijab is wielded as a defense mechanism by the wearer and by others as a spineless tool for deceitful judgment.

Being raised in a Muslim community on Arab grounds, girls are frequently told by adults that wearing a headpiece somehow makes them a better person and dressing modestly will keep them safe. Unfortunately that's when we unknowingly sow a seed of ignorance and arrogance in their innocent minds, inheriting the spiteful deception of faith solely equivalent to clothing.

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As you initially enter this mystical world of Modesty with a simple head scarf, a fair share of the Muslim community will petrify you over not wearing the Abaya, the so-called ‘feminist groups’ will relentlessly proclaim how oppressed and forced our lifestyle is, and all this while our naive families will try to upsurge our belief by preaching us absurd examples of how magically modest clothing prevents sexual assault, harassment and teasing, and indirectly platitudinizing the hijab as an act of protection, instead of an act of devotion, which it should be.

Though I was never forced by my family to adopt this lifestyle, strangely when moving around some sketchy streets of Dubai one of the known safest countries for women - I was constantly advised to wear the Abaya to protect myself from ‘unwanted attention and terrifying gazes’ of men.

The same story befalls every girl.

Girls are continuously repeated with this disturbing lie, that the hijab is merely a shield. Truth be told embracing the hijab is all about inner beauty, empowerment and self-esteem.

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Antagonistically, adopting this beautiful lifestyle change somehow gives few discontented Muslims a captious privilege to judge a lady’s faith based on her clothing. According to their preconceived notions, a woman in a Naqaab blindly reinstates the highest rank of faith, but a non-hijabi sister is downright a corrupted, sinful rebel.

Who gives these fault-finding, shallow hypocrites the right to judge any of our sisters? The hijab is way more than outwardly appearance.

It constitutes a spiritual practice applicable to both men and women teaching us all the lesson of kindness and respect.

THE WRITER: RAHMA TALWAR Rahma Talwar is a Dubai-based Lifestyle Blogger & Self taught Stylist. As a young Muslim woman, it can be difficult to create a perfect blend of modernity and modesty & that's why she founded my blog, Rt Hijab Styles, to inspire other girls with relatable fashion lessons. Rahma's future aspiration is to open her own boutique, promoting conservation yet trendy hijabi clothing line. In her spare time, she enjoys binge watching shows on Netflix & venturing out in fictional novels.

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@rthijabstyles

Food

antaro by Gion is proud to announce that they are officially Halal certified by MUIS (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore), as of 30 September 2016. The full service Japanese Restaurant has been serving guests since mid-2016 at the Amara Singapore Hotel in Tanjong Pagar Road.

Santaro by Gion offers full range of quality Halal Japanese food prepared with authentic homemade sauces and spices, using fresh ingredients. Indulge in their tantalizing ala carte dishes or their daily specials which are designed to delight all your gastronomic senses.

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There’s a wide variety of ala carte and set menus. Prices start from SGD6 for the ala carte dishes and SGD24 for the special set menu. Their daily sets, priced from SGD16.90 are value for money and are perfect for the busy executive diners.

Santaro by Gion is the first Halal Japanese Restaurant in Singapore to serve OMAKASE ala carte buffet, which is perfect for those who are avid buffet fans but hate the guilt of food wastage.

OMAKASE is loosely translated as “Leave it to you”. Diners select their Omakase Menu, and sit back while their entrusted surprise dishes are served.

Diners can order additional items listed in the menu, in Omakase style. However food wastage will be charged by weight, and a minimum of two diners is required.

There are currently three offerings for Omakase ala carte buffet in season now.

The Seafood Omakase ala carte buffet is SGD56 per person and includes prawn, cod fish, unagi, scallop, soft shell crab (tempura or sushi) and sashimi plate.

The Beef Omakase ala carte buffet is SGD68 per person and includes beef, 57

prawn, cod fish, unagi, scallop, soft shell crab (tempura or sushi) and sashimi plate. The Lobster Omakase ala carte buffet is SGD88 per person and includes lobster, beef, prawn, cod fish, unagi, scallop, soft shell crab (tempura or sushi) and sashimi plate.

The kitchen is helmed by renowned award-winning Chef Santaro Li, who has served dignitaries such as the late Minister Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore).

He is supported by experienced chefs and a full service team.

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience for a special occasion, try their private Tatami rooms. Santaro by Gion has three private tatami rooms that seat two which is perfect for a date with that special someone, four to six which would be perfect for the family and 12 which could be great for birthday parties.

Minimum spending of SGD60 per person for lunch or SGD80 per person for dinner is required to be able to reserve the Tatami rooms.

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Looking for discounts? Use your FRIENDS Card by the Halal Food Hunt.

Get a 15% discount on your total bill when you flash your FRIENDS Card.

Useful right? So what you waiting for?

Make your reservations today.

Food

GREEK CHICKEN SALAD The greek salad is delicious, fresh, vibrant and yummy.

The creamy feta and the yoghurt marinated chicken make this salad anything but boring.

Written by Safira Adam

tiffinandteaofficial.com

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Ingredients For the Chicken 1lb chicken breast (washed) 3 cloves garlic crushed 1 lemon juiced 1 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp plain yoghurt 2 tsp oregano Salt and pepper to taste For the Salad ½ cucumber, halved lengthways, deseeded and roughly chopped 1 green pepper, deseeded and sliced ½ of a 325g pack baby plum tomatoes halved ½ red onion thinly sliced ½ of a 290g jar pitted Kalamata olives drained 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp red wine vinegar ½ tsp dried oregano For the Feta 200g pack feta 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 1 red chilli, diseeded and finely chopped or 1 tsp red chilli flakes 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced 1 tbsp olive oil

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Method        

Marinade the chicken in all the ingredients listed.

Add the oil to a nonstick pan and add the chicken.

Cook over a medium heat for about 10 minutes.

Flip the chicken over and cook for a further ten minutes.

Allow to rest for 5 minutes and cut into strips.

Put the feta in a small ovenproof dish.

Scatter over the thyme, chilli and garlic, then drizzle with the oil.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Assemble Toss the salad ingredients in a bowl and top with the feta and chicken.

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Work

BETTER SLEEP WITH COLOURS Written by Shuhada Alauddin

S

tudies show that an individual needs an average of 7 hours of sleep every night to ensure that one gets a well-rested and quality sleep.

deprived are more irritable, forgetful and anxious (amongst others) and they also lack concentration, coordination and energy.

And if you are wondering why I am talking about sleep in this business column...it is because entrepreneurs tend to think that sleep is a waste of time.

You must agree that these effects are not the key to achieving success, especially when running a business.

BUT I’m here to tell you to GET MORE SLEEP to be successful. YES, sleep is an important contributing factor to the success of your business or work. Just think about it for a moment, studies have shown that people who are sleep 62

So, being the colour expert that I am (ehem!), I would like to share on how you can get more quality sleep through colours (I know...who would have thought that colours play a role in our slumber time too).

BLUE The next time you wonder what colour to paint your bedroom...let me tell you...blue is the best colour to go for. It has been shown that those who sleep in a blue coloured room are able to get 8 hours of sleep and when they wake up, they wake up feeling happy and positive; which I’m sure is what we all want.

This is probably because blue has calming and soothing qualities that can help to slow the heart rate, helps reduce blood pressure and ultimately reduce stress.

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GREEN & YELLOW If you’re not a big fan of blue, then other colours that you may want to consider would be green and yellow (but of course not the bright fluorescent ones). It has been shown that both of these colours also result in people clocking in at least 7 hours of sleep at night.

Do note that all the colours I’ve mentioned so far, if you do not wish to have those colours covering your bedroom walls entirely, you could opt to have them in just one part of your room where you sleep or you could also have your bedsheets or duvet covers in those colours.

Just remember that all it takes is just one area or one item in the right colour – to surround yourself with the frequency of the colour in order to benefit from the qualities, in this case a goodnight sleep.

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PURPLE If you’re wondering is there a colour you should avoid? That’s a very good question because yes there is and that colour is purple.

Purple is best to avoid for your bedroom because although it may give the sense of luxury to your room purple however has the ability to stimulate your brain; which is not ideal when you are trying to get some Z’s which is why based on a study conducted on those who sleep in a room

painted in purple; they only get 5 hours or so of sleep. But if you love purple so much and insist on having it in your bedroom - here’s a tip: what you can do is to inject a bit of grey to reduce its intensity. So, you could end up with muted shades of violet or lavender or dusty purple.

So, go ahead and experiment with colours to see how each can affect you differently and then share with me your experience at our instagram page @myryl_official or e-mail us at ask.us@myrylpoint.net

THE WRITER: SHUHADA ALAUDDIN Shuhada Alauddin is a coach, consultant, speaker & writer at myryl.net where her forte is Personality Development, Colour Therapy & Behavioral Analysis. Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, The Star, The Star Online, Her World, Cosmopolitan Malaysia, and many others. On top of that she has her own TV shows and segments with the local broadcasting stations where she shares on her expertise. She is also the creator of “Colours & Career: I Love The Donut; But What Else Is New” training program; to help those who would like to make a career change, start a business or is simply looking for the perfect career path using her colour expertise.

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@myryl_official

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