Taqwa Iman

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:   Blogger: Elaine Hearn   Link: http://clothedmuch.blogspot.com/       What we LOVE about this blog:   Shop Your Closet - No Celebrities. No mad expensive brands. Just Elaine and the clothes she has in her closet.   The way she mixes and matches inexpensive pieces to look like runway outfits will be inspiring to any modest dresser.     Giveaways - The latest giveaway is Lip Bliss, a lip gloss with a message by a company called "What's Your Virtue?"

What Inspired You To Begin A Blog About Fashion With A Modest Focus? I had been following fashion blogs for several months and realized none of them really reflected my values. I also realized a lot of them catered to the same tastes and trends and started to get too monotonous and boring for me. I wanted to test and nurture my creativity and express my own style in a modest but still fashionable way. What do you hope to accomplish with your blog? I would like for women to know that style isn't about expensive brands and clothes. You can achieve style with a few bucks and a little imagination! And that women don't have to reveal their body to show the world that they have style. What is the main thing you hope your readers get from your blog? That they should always see the world with an eye open to creativity and inspiration. Did you always dress modestly? If not, what made you start? In a way, I have. There were times when I questioned why it mattered but as I grew older, I have grown to value my physical body more. It makes me realize that when people first see me, I don't want them to see my body, but how I reflect myself, my personality, and values through my clothing choices and outfits What encourages you to continue dressing modest everyday? Self-respect and dignity. How would you describe your readers? They are so wonderful!!! I really am so lucky to have a great group of readers who inspire and support me and they always have such great things to say. Never an ill word! Modesty is sometimes associated with older women. However, there are many younger women, like yourself, who dress modest and love it. How would you describe the young woman who dresses modest? Are there any trends you see among the younger generation of modest dressers? I think the young women who dress modest are classy and respectable and that they know their self-worth and you know they feel good and confident about who they are and aren't dressing to impress people. That way, it shows their personality and don't seem to worry about what others think about them. As for trends, I see a lot of feminine pieces, like ruffles and pastel colors! What is the must-have piece that any modest dresser needs? A pair of GREAT jeans! ...whether they be straight, skinny, bootcut...whatever is perfect for your body type and makes you feel great!

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:   Blogger: Ms. Siraaj   Link: http://caribmuslimah.wordpress.com/   What we LOVE about this blog:   Your Fashion Fix - With pages and pages of outfits, you will definitely find an ensemble that inspires you. In fact, her fan base does not just include Muslims but women of various faiths who just love her style.     Scam Busters - With good intentions, readers have used a section of her site as a forum to warn others about fraudulent online clothing stores.

You have women all over the world who follow your blog and have even thanked you for the work that you have done. How does that make you feel? I am happy that I can inspire women to be stylish but at the same time modest. I love the fact that more Muslim women are stepping out of the cookie cutter mode and deciding to express their individuality through their style of dress. When blogging first emerged, some reflected on how blogging can be therapeutic. Has blogging been therapeutic for you in any way? Blogging has been very therapeutic. It gives me a chance to put my thoughts onto the web and to get feedback from others. Does it help you, in terms of your everyday commitment to dressing modest, as much as it helps your readers? Believe it or not, I actually give myself ideas. I sometimes go back to revisit sets I've posted for inspiration. I also visit other people's blogs for fashion ideas. Your blog has shifted to now posting primarily outfit sets via Polyvore. Why the change? Do you see your blog evolving even more in the future? The change was really a reflection of the limited amount of time I have. When I had more free time I was able to post articles and even write a few myself. I have two other blogs in addition to this one. I've actually considered merging the fashion blog with one of the others. (Especially since I'm only posting sets these days). I've considered deleting the fashion blog but I keep getting positive feedback so I felt like I should continue posting. I don't want to disappoint people who have told me I've inspired them. Has your personal style evolved since your first post on your blog? If so, in what ways? I think my style is edgier than when I first started. I've added makeup, bolder prints, and heels. Before, my fashion was a little more conservative. With several online modest clothing stores and modest blogs such as yours, does the modest dresser now have it more easier? Definitely. Not only has the internet opened up more options for Muslimahs (regardless of where they are) but you have fashion blogs that give various ways to style items. I have seen other blogs use the same shirt, dress or pants that I have used in a set but styled in a different way. That's more options for Muslimahs. What challenges do you think modest dressers still face? While I understand the challenges Muslim online stores have in trying to keep up with the latest fashion, for the consumer there are not a lot places you can turn to for a modest version of a trendy outfit or clothing item. There is also not a lot of variety in clothing options. I appreciate the more stylish skirts and tops Taqwa Iman is selling (and I promise I will be ordering soon). It seems like some sites have not kept up with the latest fashion trends. I've seen sites that are 4 or 5 seasons behind! Finally, for those of us who shop at the department or other stores, there is still the challenge of finding skirts without slits, shirts that are long and not see through, pants that flare at the leg etc. What is your inspiration when you create a set? More often than not, one piece of clothing is the inspiration and the rest of the outfit develops. I'll see a shirt, a pair of pants, a skirt or a hijab and build an outfit around it. The title usually comes last. I'll ask myself, what is the theme here? Of the many beautiful sets you have created, how many have you been able to create in real life and wear? I have created a few of the outfits. Just like I hope the readers do, I use a set as inspiration and improvise from there. If I had a lot money and many stores at my disposal then I think it would be easier to do. What is the number one tip that you can give to someone who is thinking about dressing modest? Be yourself. Buy clothing that reflects your personality and still falls within the Islamic guidelines. There are many styles and trends out there but there is only one you.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:     Blogger: Rebecca Christian     Link: http://modestia.stblogs.com/     What we LOVE about this blog:       Bridal Week - The entire week is dedicated to modest bridal fashion. With each post, you get beautiful pictures of fabulous gowns and info on modest friendly designers.      Official Modestia Causes - More than just fashion, Modestia is a blog with a purpose. Check out the Manifesto page to read the causes Modestia supports.     Favorite Quote - "Modesty is not a list of restrictive fashion rules; it is a lifestyle of dignity and beauty". Simply, awesome!

Being 21 and modest, do you feel that you have a unique voice? How would you describe it? To my knowledge, I'm the only Catholic blogger that spends time on both fashion and women's issues, so I guess that makes me unique. Once upon a time I used to hold very different beliefs about concepts such as modesty, but God put a fire under my feet and after a bit of critical thinking I've become unapologetically opinionated about modesty's importance. I recognize now that the lack of modesty in our culture really comes from a lack of love. We don't love God, we don't love ourselves, or each other.  I think a lot of people, especially young people, have this attitude of "Show me what you got."  This attitude influences us women, as it did me for a very long time. Modestia, and the ministries to which Modestia has led me, is not really about clothes. It's about taking the time to examine our culture and why women are told the things they are.  The fashion component is just the fun part! If all of your blog entries were summed up into three sentences, what would those sentences be? Modesty is a fruit of love and love comes from a source that never dies; all of the magazines and style tips in the world will not help you if you don't first understand this. At the same time, a belief in modesty doesn't mean that you have to wear your grandmother's clothes. It is completely possible to be stylish and modest. If you had to give advice to someone who was trying to stay dedicated to dressing modest, yet was having difficulty because of the influences she was receiving from what seems to be everywhere (i.e. friends, media, etc.), what would you say? I would ask her what she believes in and what she wants her clothing to say, because our appearance makes a statement. If you show up to a party in sweatpants that says something.  If you go to work or school in a low cut top that's too sizes too small, that says something about you too.  Oftentimes people use clothing as a mask; I would ask her what her mask is and why she's wearing it. On your blog you say, “If it isn’t modest make it modest”. What is the most chic, quickest, and inexpensive way to do this? I personally like to buy basics that are modestly cut and then build outfits on top of them.  Layering is key, but I'm not talking about just throwing on a cami.  I sometimes wear dresses underneath dresses or two and three shirts at a time; it just depends on the look that I want. The concept of an outfit is paramount; once you know what it is you'll know what to put on whether it is some jewelry, funky glasses, or a cool brooch.  Your blog has featured a “bridal week” for the past two years. Why did you decide to focus on modest bridal fashion? I decided to do Bridal Week for a couple of reasons.  First, it seems pretty clear to me that everyone loves looking at wedding dresses, and yet many women forget about modesty when it comes time for their own wedding.  Second, I wanted to prove to myself that there are already-modest wedding gowns that don't look like long taffeta t-shirts. I personally would not wear many of the gowns that are marketed as modest, and I think---or rather I know----that there are a lot of women that echo my sentiment. I've reached a point in my life where people I know are starting to get hitched. I wanted to be able to refer designers to my fashion savvy girlfriends and know that while they are fashion forward, they are also appropriate and modest. (Side note: My designer friend and I are actually planning a bridal fashion show for this May in Los Angeles.) What are the top three basics, modest women should have for the upcoming spring/summer 2010? I'm always really excited for the spring season because it means you can break out the bright colors. I personally wear a lot of vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, and I advise all girls to have at least one vintage-styled dress because they most always have great structure and look great on most body types. I would also advise having a great pair of dark denim jeans, a tailored blazer, a tailored rain coat, and a couple of pairs of boots to get you through the rainy season. The nerdy/preppy look is still completely in style this season, so don't be afraid to experiment either. Just keep it modest!

HIJAB STYLE

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS:

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION:     Blogger: Jana Kossaibati     Link: http://hijabstyle.blogspot.com/       What we LOVE about this blog:     Muslimah Style - Through pictures and personal tips, Jana highlights the unique style of one of her lucky readers. So, you get inspired by others just like you!     Journalism At Its Best - Not just a blogger, Jana has written for Vogue and The Guardian!     Giveaways - The latest giveaway is a 3 piece Pashmina gift set!

The name of your blog is "Hijab Style". How would you describe hijab style (the style of dressing)? Hijab Style is first and foremost about following Islamic teachings with regards to dress. This does not just mean wearing a headscarf, but extends to covering the shape of the whole body. Hijab Style is always dignified and often incredibly elegant! In a time when there were no other fashion blogs in the UK dedicated to "Hijab Style", what thoughts were going through your mind on the day you wrote your first blog entry? I reckon one of the main thoughts that plagued me was ‘Is anyone going to bother to read this blog?!’ I started off posting hijab-friendly items from regular stores, and some outfit sets and a few random articles I could find online. I didn’t really go in with a clear idea of what I wanted the blog to look like, or how I could develop it. It was more of a creative outlet to me than a real project. By dressing modest, do you feel you have a voice different from other fashion writers and bloggers? If so, in what way? I definitely think I do. Obviously this stems from the fact that as a Muslimah, my fashion choices must pass the modesty benchmark before anything else, whereas this is not a concern for most non-Muslim fashion bloggers. In that sense, the types of fashion I explore focus on modesty and creative ways of achieving the coverage that is required for hijab, rather than from a purely aesthetic perspective. In relation to that, unlike regular fashion blogs, mine is not about the way I personally like to dress; it’s not just about my style choices, but those that I share with the larger, worldwide community of Muslim women. With all of the work you have done, what drives you to do what you do? The realisation that people actually read and find the material I post useful. It’s a great privilege to be able to reach out to Muslim women around the world and make a positive impact, no matter how small. For example, every now and then I receive e-mails and comments from women who say that Hijab Style has encouraged them to take up and stick with the hijab, which is something that in turn, really encourages me to continue with the blog. Do you think the hijab style in UK is different from other parts of the world? Do you notice any modest fashion trends that are unique to the UK? If so, what are they?  Each country has its nuances, but because the Muslim population is so culturally diverse, you really do see a lot of diversity in the way Muslim women dress here. The younger generation however, are finding ways to fuse their cultural backgrounds with their British up-bringing in the way they dress. One trend I tend to notice a lot in London is layering jackets and cardigans over abayas – especially satin ones which are popular amongst the Somali community. You feature many different styles on your blog. Describe you own personal "Hijab Style". As a student my style is quite casual; I pretty much live in jeans! However I’m a bit of a magpie and love wearing jewelry and pretty hijabs to make outfits more feminine. If you had to put together the perfect outfit, what key pieces would it include? A shirtdress – I’m just so in love with those and wear them all the time! I’m a big fan of knitwear too, so a cardigan is a must!