The fashion forward magazine, Âlâ Dergi, is becoming one of the most recognised Turkish publications despite its relatively recent debut in June 2011. Prevailing as a prospective market leader for Turkish women, the magazine specialises in modest Muslim style and trends.

Âlâ, (pronounced ‘Aa Laa’) is an Arabic derivative term meaning "superb, excellent" and is certainly a fitting name for an emerging frontrunner. The buzz surrounding the anticipated release of the modest style magazine saw a growth to over 70k on Âlâ’s Facebook fan page, notable Turkish press coverage and being stocked in elite Turkish bookshops. Not a bad feat considering the otherwise young age and new status of the magazine.

Magazine covers are sleek-chic

The success of Âlâ’s launch is much to do with the market need of Turkish women requiring relevant fashion guides akin to Western publications, such as Elle and Vogue but with strong Islamic benchmarks. That is, Muslim women who present the niche market of necessitating the continual ‘style with coverage’ trend.

This niche market, particularly with Turkey’s lack of a similar mag, is what ignited founders Volkan Atay and Burak Bier to form the concept of Âlâ Dergi.

Ironically, neither Atay or Bier are in fashion design. Hailing from a background in advertising, a photo interest for British Muslim magazine emel by its editor Sarah Joseph, lead to the interest in a similar Turkish flavoured lifestyle mag for Muslims.

The objective to become the go-to lifestyle source for Turkish Women was also one of the motivations for the founders. in fact, the magazine's Facebook description loosely states. “Âlâ is a world first for showing a passion for indispensable fashion, while offering the perspective of real Muslim women.”

"Hijab fashion" has been a debatable phrase in Muslim culture. Hijab is an Islamic ruling of modest coverage applicable to both women and men, calling for smart presentability without overt attention. The world of fashion however, is a "bare-all" industry. "What we call fashion tells us what we buy one season should be trashed the next season. This is incompatible with the Islamic code of faith," says Volkan.

Volkan also refutes using skin as a selling point:

"Fashion has variable rules such as revealing the arms and shortening skirt lengths. In a sense, Hijab also interferes in the form of standard covering. This is why it is wrong to call it 'hijab fashion'. Of course we are going to utilise fashionable details, but this does not mean the same thing as hijab fashion."


Given the fresh look-books and high couture, the alternate modest presentations in the glossy monthly would most likely attract women of other faith groups and fashion houses beyond Turkey. The crisp layout and sharp editorial photography is one of many assets that links the mag's regular topics - interior decor, women's health, child development, fashion focused interviews and cultural articles.

The editorial process: Âlâ is batch printed for stockists

Perhaps most importantly, Âlâ Dergi serves as the first ever dedicated dialogue portal between manufacturer’s and the hijabi consumers. Designer brands and companies tend to tell consumers what to wear, with market research focusing only on sizing and runway results controlling the designs.

Volkan states he hopes to change this, "[By] establishing a magazine that explores, deals with fashion and modest attire. In fact, bloggers have successfully built a bridge between the manufacturer and consumer. However, they only target an 'internet oriented' audience, whereas a magazine can reach the entire targeted hijabi audience."

A fresh new face and anticipating its potentially explosive future, Âlâ Dergi is the creative magazine, focusing on making modesty a market leader in its competitive turf. It seems the "Eurovision" identity is no longer defining Turkey's developing platform.


More awesome 'zines:
'Muslim Quarterly' Revives Halal Sexuality
EMEL On Cycling To Hajj
Hijab Makes A Return To Tunisia - Yvonne Ridley

Covering of the hair is typically associated with faith. Nuns, orthodox Jewish and Muslim women most notably wear a form of head covering for reasons of religious conviction. So, I was immediately intrigued when I came across prominent fashion designers who displayed covered hair as a feature of their collection this Autumn.

Perceptibly, the designers who have chosen to veil their models’ hair have not done so for religious compliance. It does makes one wonder, why hide the hair? What effect does subtracting the models’ otherwise stylish hair, have upon their collection?



Given that catwalks and photo-shoots often reflect the artistic vision of the designer I took another glance at the catwalk. When looking at these coveted models the artistic effect became clear. Only the product dominates. There were no suspended flying hair, futuristic model looks or eccentric editions . The focus is entirely on the garment. Emphasis is laid upon the fabric, the bias cut and grain. It was almost like a heightened canvas, bringing to mind focal artwork pieces such as Johammes Vemeers ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ painting.



Certainly, more dramatically Louise Goldin presented her 2007 knitwear collection at London Fashion Week with a head covering similar to a Niqab.




Nazma Miah
{www.thebritishhijabi.wordpress.com}

In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم





Here's The Trick:
(This works at the end of..almost any style. Esp with two layers)

1-This is more secure when done with a two layered scarf wrap. This way you wouldn't have to worry about pulling fabric away from giving you coverage in the back. Instead, I used a second layer (the rest of it after you're done styling) around the chest.

2-Do any type of style that integrates the two scarves, making sure your last layer (the one you'll use to cover the chest) has enough length left for the 'swing over' :).

3-When done styling, take that remaining layer and swing it around above your ear on the other side of your headscarf and pin (pin downwards).

4-Pull your first layer ABOVE the layer covering your chest (optional).

5-Then wear your favorite NECKLACE and pull it out to hang on the outside on top of the last layer!

No more boobies, just cute necklace ;).

(Please use an Opaque fabric, unlike what I used!)

Notes:

-I find that not only does it look SUPER CUTE, but it takes attention away from the hanging fabric that's weighing me down, and long necklaces focus your attention to your middle so you appear leaner. If you disagree, at least you look stylish and modest!

-If you need some SERIOUS elongating, then adding a pretty flower pin on the side of your headscarf (where you'd put it in your hair) can distract attention to your face, making you appear balanced and not weighed down.

-The weight of the necklace helps keep the scarf in place on my chest! :)




WOW it's been soooooooo long since I've last posted anything on this blog...or any of my blogs! Or video channels for that matter..

I've been so worked up these past few months with college, I finally have some room to breathe this week because of Eid. Funny thing...ever notice that we have 7 days of Eid a year? 7 skies, 7 heavens, 7 rotations around the Ka'ba during hajj...Interesting, isn't it?

Anyway...I've been stepping up my game in Hijab. I've begun covering up my chest now :). Yeah I know you might be going "You mean you never did?!". Well, no I never really did unless it were a shrug or jacket...occasionally an independent scarf. I never had the intention of covering up my 'girls' until recently.

So what sparked it for me?

First of all...I've been progressing in my knowledge of Islam and my appreciation for Allah, so I've been feeling quite guilty for not covering up the best that I should. Second, I wasn't enjoying the attention my chest was bringing me - not that I'm knockout - lol - but I'm not exactly flat chested either. Before...I would have NEVER ever covered up more on my own, unless someone like my father would make me (not force, just nag about it).

Why? Simply, I felt it hid what so called beauty I had (curves), that would catch the attention of other boys (Boys appreciating my looks => I'm easy on the eye => my confidence grows => Feel good about myself). Because covering up my chest meant: look FAT and extra short (I'm 4'10) with a draping scarf weighing my proportions down.

Someone once asked me to do a tutorial on how to cover the chest, or styles that included chest coverage. While I admit my latest chest covering attempts have been with not 100% opaque fabric (unintentionally), I've come across what I think to be a BEAUTIFUL alteration to the latest "Half Spanish" wraps I've been wearing.


When I say Half Spanish, I mean it ties in the back initially like a Spanish wrap, but then it is brought to frame the face like an ordinary wrap. This way, you get the decor of layering Spanish-wise AND keep that poofy baby fat at bay!) :P.

What I did here was leave enough fabric of my last layer (or widest layer you got) and swung it to the other side of my headscarf and pin it. When I'm desperate for fabric, I just pin it to my shoulder instead.

Without promising anything...I AM thinking about making a couple of tutorial vids before Eid Al Adha, insha Allah.




By: The Diva

Peace & respect ★

Hijab Art: rosette

In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم


Tell us your story! We'd love to hear it :) :


1- When you began to wear hijab, what did it feel like? What did *you* feel like?

2- How old were you?

3- What did you wear for starters? What did you like about it? What did you not like about it?

4- What was your experience when you first went outside or to school in it?

5- Why did you decide to wear hijab?

6- Did it make you feel self confident or self conscious?

7- Did you ever feel less pretty in hijab? If so, why?


My First Hijab Experience:


I decided to wear hijab when I was 12 1/2. I was encouraged by my then best friend as well, and a lot of girls in our Egyptian middle school started donning it.

Believe it or not, I started out with one of those Al-Amira hijabs. I also wore what was supposed to be a long under scarf or bonnet, only on the outside lol. I didn't enjoy them at all but I didn't know much about scarves at the time.

I didn't look that well in my noobie hijab...infact I probably looked horrible most of the time with my chubby face sticking out of a thin single layer of scarf material that framed my face in all the wrong ways. But hey, I didn't know any better. Even when I wore oblong scarves with no pins, tucking part of the end into my jaw area (which I learned from my friend), I still didn't look decent lol.

Now, now, don't get offended by all this. This is how I felt wearing these types of scarves. And it was a pretty tough age too. There are plenty of women who wear Al-Amirah hijabs or simplistic wraps that look great and feel contented with their appearance. I respect any woman who makes an effort to cover herself in general (not that I disrespect non hijabis).

However, when I first put it on infront of the mirror in my bedroom, I immediately thought of the word "pure". I felt pure. And proud of my identity.

I didn't have any problems going out with it since I live in Egypt, but I was picked on in school because I looked silly in it sometimes, probably due to my short hair that would stick out like triangles on the sides under the scarf and make me look like The Sphinx :P.

Contrary to most Muslimas, I wore hijab mostly with a "why not" attitude. I didn't intentionally wear it for the sake of Allah or because of my religion. Of course that was on the list! But it wasn't the very first reason. I think my number one reason was because I didn't like how I looked anyway and my friends started wearing it...so..."why not?". It wasn't until later that I became devoted to it in a religious manner and with Islamic intentions.


It wasn't easy. I was not that self confident when I began to wear it, especially after some of the "noob hijabi" feeling wore off. I even thought of taking it off sometimes. It was not the hijab's fault, but rather my manner in how I wore it. I learned so much after that and how big a role it plays in feeling good about yourself once you know how to wear it right.

So yeah I didn't really feel "pretty" in it. What I mean is it did not compliment me whatsoever. But all that vanished once the hijab fashion scene rose in the middle east. I felt like we finally had a place in society rather than looked down to or left out.


In Egypt, before 2003, hijab was for poor women. For self conscious uneducated poor women. I'm not joking. This was the stereotype. Now, there's almost way more hijabis than non hijabis (In fact, I might just write a post just about that).

That's why I became a sort of "Hijab Guru/Stylist" on youtube. Because I hear about a lot of pre-teens having so much trouble with hijab and it affecting their self esteem and I knew how it felt, and I wanted to encourage them.

Wear hijab for the sake of Allah, and go ahead and look good in it. But remember your Islam comes first before style.

So what was you experience like? :))

Leave a comment!

By: The Diva



Peace & respect ★