ZAFA SCARF, SALSABEELA & KZNABIHAH

DARING to stand-out from head to toe is the trend this season in the fashion realm for Muslim ladies as evident at the Moslema In Style fashion show last Saturday in conjunction with the five-day Halfest 2012 at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
Hosted by Ploof Sdn Bhd in what was a for-women-only event, all seats were full for this three-hour runway show that featured the latest Muslimah collections from seven local boutiques, namely, Bil Emaan, Emystic, KZNabihah, Minaz Butik, Salsabeela Muslimah Attire, Saris Couture and Zafa Scarf.

Featured were both casual and evening wear which are now available at the respective boutiques and their online websites. Some of the trends spotted include use of bright colours, colour blocking, bold prints, intricate beading and playful accessories.

Emystic

Celebrities seen in the audience were actresses/models Natasha Hudson and Yatt Hamzah and singer Noryn Aziz and all three opened the show by modelling some of the designers’ outfits. Noryn also treated the audience by performing four songs during the show.

Aishah Hanif, director of Ploof Sdn Bhd, said they organised Moslema in Style to show support for and to showcase the talents of local designers.

“These fashion designers are putting forward brave concepts utilising refreshing and bright play of colours. Audiences will be treated to a display of limited edition and exclusive collections from these labels,” said Aishah, who also heads the Emystic label by Ploof.

“Emystic specialises in female Muslim dress according to the Islamic way. Our collection has intricate details, beading and sequins on each creation,” she said.

Featured in the Emystic collection are traditional abayas (evening gowns) and modern jubahs with small detailing along the hemps and sequins that gives the outfits a classy and chic touch.

Saris Couture, founded by Aida Norazmira, incorporated influences from the Middle-East and India in their designs, with intricate bead embroidery and bold bright colours in their collection of ready-made kaftans, modern kebayas and abayas.

KZNabihah, winner of the Best Shopping Blog 2012 from Minggu Media Sosial 2012, showcased casual and formal wear by Nabihah Ab Rahman, with a mix of bright colours and bold prints for a younger audience.

Bil Emaan, a label headed by three women, namely, Aniza, Hazian and Aida, offered their “Back to Basic” collection of casual and evening wear which fuses elegance and comfort for the wearer.

Saris Couture

Salsabeela Muslimah Attire by Fatima has a collection inspired by Middle-East styles that are comfortable, practical, modest, elegant and versatile for both evening and casual wear.

The Minaz collection by Hafiza Abd Hamid featured playful and bold mix and match of colours, prints and texture with floral embroidery details along the hemp.

Rounding off the show was Zafa Scarf by Nor Farihan Mohd Yatim, a collection of fun and quirky headscarves layered with a mix of bright colours and bold detailing such as flowers and bows.

Halfest 2012, short for Halal Fiesta Malaysia, ran from Oct 10 to 14. Billed as the largest halal expo in Malaysia, there were more than 700 booths and participation from 650 companies.

This expo is a collaborative effort between CIMB Islamic, MARA, Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), Jakim, Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM), Ministry of Domestic Trade Cooperatives and Consumerism Malaysia, RTM and Shapers Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Other activities include culinary workshops, grooming classes, Bumiputra entrepreneurial conference, business matching, and Muslim consumerism forum.