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Sunday, 29 August 2010

Rabia Z- Fashion styles

Rabia Z has released a video showcasing some inspirational styles to adapt and accessorise you Hijab and Sheylas.

See the video and some pictures below, what do you think? Would you use any of these? Comments please!








(Pictures reproduced courtesy of Rabia Z -All rights reserved -Subject to copyright © )

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Noor D'Izar - Review and GIVEAWAY!

An exclusive review and insight into the contemporary hijab company Noor D'izar, plus a fantastic GIVEAWAY up for grabs!


This week I had a great opportunity of reviewing the upcoming and contemporary hijab fashion company Noor D'Izar. The first thing that really drew me into researching into this hijab company was to be honest the name. It has a really wonderful ring to it and I love the fusion between the words Noor meaning 'light and beauty' and 'Izar' which is the name given to a rectangular cloth the Berbers would use to drape their heads with. The word Noor really reminded me of the verse in the Quran in Surah Noor which always eases my heart whenever I read it 'Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things'. Maybe the verse is a bit irrelevant to a fashion review, But I think its wonderful when something we wear or somewhere we shop reminds us of Allah and that indeed we cover ourselves for his sake.



Noor D'Izar is based in Antwerp where its founders originate from. Fatima Rafiy and Inge Rombouts who founded the company met during a neighborhood street party. Both women shared the same passion: fashion! After teaming up, the foundations were laid for a great idea! Noor D'Izar was designed and created to offer the modern muslima a new, contemporary look, and also one which enabled ease in wearing it and where the scarves were adjustable to accommodate both a casual and a dressed up look.

Now I don't know about you readers, but I always think that you can really tell the elegance and style of a company in the packaging. I know they say don't judge a book by its cover but I think when it comes to online ordering you have to do just that! I knew from the moment I received the hijab's and saw the packaging that the quality and care of the hijab's would be good. They come in wonderful slim boxes which slide out to reveal the hijab neatly folded in tissue with a small style guide on top. Hijablicious loves attention to detail so I must admit I was very pleased with such small touches!

Now onto the hijab's, having had a look on the website I was aware that the style Noor D'izar primarily offers is similar to the Al-Amira scarves which are commonly available from Islamic websites and normally bookstores, however what really does differentiate these scarves as mentioned before is the attention to detail. There are little slots between the fabrics which allow you to easily wear your sunglasses, a fantastic idea! This is something which many hijab's find difficult with normal scarf styles without their hair getting stuck in the glasses. There are also small details such as tiny metal logos of at the side which I think adds a really elegant and cutting edge look to the scarf which definitely makes it stand out from other scarves.



Now the quality. I am absolutely in love with the quality of the scarves. The fabric is made from a stretchy Jersey style material which allows the wearer to frame their face very well and as it is stretchy it will adjust well to different face shapes. Compared to the Al-Amira hijab's which I mentioned before these quality of these hijab's is no comparison, they are definitely of a higher quality. The material is very lightweight and allows your skin to breath without feeling too stuffy, also there is no need for ironing as the material retains its texture and does not leave creases, again another positive aspect.

All in all these scarves seem the kind to suit sisters who partake in sports as they do not require any pins and are very easy to just put on and take off. Also for mummies on the go to and fro with their kids and who don't have time to use pins on their hijab's, then this style and scarf is so easy to use. Similarly its looks very modest and sleek teamed up with western style clothing and as seen in the pictures can easily be adjusted, what I found is you can also wear it as an under-scarf and drape a nice thin scarf over it to achieve a trendy look, this way you can ensure that your neck is covered and not exposed, this layering method is shown in my review.




The only downside of Noor'Dizar is their prices. With the ever growing and highly competitive Hijab market in honesty I found their prices very steep and very expensive, I understand the quality of fabric being used is extremely good however with prices ranging from £34 I can imagine this as being a turn off point for many people. I do hope however that they will review their prices and consider arranging some offers and more competitive prices as the scarves are nice.


Imsar Hijab

This beautiful stonewash Hijab is very thin and lightweight and is made from a very soft material which sits very nicely on the skin. What I liked about the scarf was that it can be worn on its own, especially during summer when some sisters are looking for more breathable hijabs, and its can be layered with another scarf and accessorised as shown in this picture which we layered together to achieve a more trendy and covering look.


Izar Hijab

This is a very different type of hijab. The style is very similar to the Imsar one but this has two beautiful chiffon pieces at each end. At first I was unsure of what to do with them but there are a variety of options which you can do to suit your own style and face shape. On this model I used the chiffon bit on the hijab by draping them at the back and then bringing them to the front again and creating a round circular shape at the side which I pinned. This would look nice for a party or evening out and it has a very 50's look to it which has a sense of elegance about it.

GIVEAWAY!

IMSAR HIJAB UP FOR GRABS

Hijablicious have teamed up with Noor'Dizar to offer it readers the opportunity to grab one of its scarves for free in honour of the month of Ramadan! This beautiful Imsar Hijab as shown above is available in Stonewash and can be yours free! You can wear it alone or its great for layering and good coverage! All you need to do it to email me at samia@hijablicious.com and join Hijablicious on facebook (www.facebook.com/hijablicious) and write that you have entered the competition. In your email or facebook message, just tell me the following 'What makes Ramadan special for you'. The closing date is the 1st September and the winner will be announced on facebook and here so get your entries in ladies!


You can check out Noor D'izars wonderful range and a video explaining how to wear the hijab on their website: http://www.noordizar.be/

(Please note the opinions and thoughts expressed are my own) http://www.hijablicious.com/

Remember to join Hijablicious on facebook and twitter www.facebook.com/hijablicious for updates/giveaways and reviews and to get in touch you can email me samia@hijablicious.com

Muslim Weekly segment of review:
Author- Samia Khan (All rights reserved -Subject to copyright © )


Thursday, 12 August 2010

Abaya Collections - Review

I had an opportunity to review Abaya Collections and their fantastic range of Abayas. Read the review below and let me know what you think, we also have secured a brilliant dicount for all you Hijablicious ladies in time for Ramadan and Eid, so place your orders now!

Quote 'Hijablicious' to recieve 10% off (valid until 14th September 2010


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Beauty is a light in the heart so bring out the light with Abaya Collection


I had an opportunity of meeting with Ashia Akram the Creative Director of Abayah Collection over a year ago when I was looking for some abaya's but was not happy with the styles and designs I had seen on the market. I wanted something elegant, feminine and unique. I came across some designs on her facebook group and went to see her collection at her home in Berkshire where she is based. Ashia’s collection needless to say is very impressive, not only does she provide quality abaya's but her designs and the variety of styles she has as part of her collection are both modest and very apt for the fashion conscience woman who wants to invest in a unique type of abayah.By profession she is a Social Worker, an occupation she has an immense passion for. She enjoys working closely with families and finds the outcome very rewarding, she describes it as linking in very well with her faith ‘as we are encouraged to help others and being able to do that in my line of work is the icing on the cake for me.’
Ashia started Abaya Collection in 2008 having started wearing the abayah at 19. Frustrated with the lack of variety and dismayed with the black styles of Abaya's being the only type available, she decided to invest in fabrics which she worked closely with her tailor on creating. Having always had a creative streak from a young age, Ashia was able to create and design innovative Abaya's which were well received from both family and friends.

Having received a large demand and requests from sisters Ashia decided to begin Abayah Collection in order to meet this demand. Having researched and investigated a variety of suppliers over a period of a year and a half she was able to work with a verity of suppliers which allowed her to put her creative passion into action, Ashia comments that although it has been a long journey ‘it has been worth the effort, I love seeing sisters come and liking the variety of Abaya’s on offer, it gives me a real buzz when I see sisters in my abaya's on the road or at event’s.

I had the opportunity of reviewing two Abaya's from the collection- The first one is the Pink bordered butterfly one. (see review and pictures here!)




The second item I had an opportunity to review is the Deep Blue Occasion Abaya in a similar design with an off white chiffon border and off-white embroided detail in the middle. This Abaya is very striking and I must admit the quality of the fabric and the flow abaya’s. (Click here to see pictures and an in depth review!)

Abaya Collection caters for each individual and the ethos is to provide something for every personality, but keeping things modest is the main aim. Materials range from chiffon, silk, georgette, linen, wool and a variety of mixed fabrics. Prices range from £15 - £150 and are depending on the fabric and the variety of work. Styles range from simple, butterfly, casual and individual made to measure orders can take up to four weeks. Ashia also takes orders for made to measure wedding Abaya's which she will soon be showcasing on her website very soon

More importantly Abaya Collection will be sponsoring and supporting an event in Slough on August 8th 2010 where money raised will be sent to Gaza via the Convoy called Road to Hope departing in October. At the event there will be a fashion show directed by Ashia in addition to a number of stalls and activities. The aim of this convoy is to take humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza in order to provide as much aid and comfort as possible. The Road to Hope is apolitical cause and all volunteers seek to achieve humanitarian ends. The cause in Gaza is something important to Ashia and the collaboration in raising money for the convoy reflects in the importance business’ play in charity. Further information can be found on the Hijablicious website and facebook page.


Abayah Collection are currently updating their website which can be viewed at http://www.abayacollection.com/ Orders can be placed through the facebook page and individual viewings can be made at her office in Slough.

Hijablicious is proud to announce that their readers will be able to gain a fantastic 10% off purchases from Abaya Collection by quoting 'Hijablicious' when ordering

This offer is only open until the 14th September, so get in there before Eid!

For more information regarding the Road to Hope convoy visit: http://www.roadtohope.co.uk/
(Please note the opinions and thoughts expressed are my own)

A PDF of the article is below:


Author- Samia Khan (All rights reserved -Subject to copyright © )



Author- Samia Khan (All rights reserved -Images subject to copyright © )

Happy Ramadan from Hijablicious

Asalaamu'Alaikoum Ladies!

Hijablicious has been a bit quiet for the last few weeks but I have some exciting and wonderful; reviews for you and some fantastic giveaways so keep tuned and watch this space. I would like to wish all our fan's and readers a wonderful Ramadan and Insh'Allah, and may it be full of Allah's mercy and blessings and be a means to get closer to him and improve our Imaan Insh'Allah.