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Meet rising modest model Balqees Momodu

Meet rising modest model Balqees Momodu

Zainab Husain
Balqees Momodu (@ballymomodu) is on a mission to make a name for herself as a modest, hijab-wearing model in the fashion industry. In an exclusive interview with modestish, the aspiring Nigerian model, who is signed to Astria Models, talks about what inspired her to take on the modest lifestyle and what one trend she will never try (hint: you can guess this one!) 1.What attracts you to the idea of dressing modestly? Any personal turning point in your life that inspired you to embark on a more modest lifestyle? Firstly, it is the decree of the Almighty. Secondly, Do you…
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Meet Heba: the modest fashion muse from our Eid shoot

Meet Heba: the modest fashion muse from our Eid shoot

modestish
Modest fashion — be it ethnic, traditional and cultural, or contemporary-cool, is the forte of Heba Qadeer (@Hebaqr on Instagram), a Pakistani fashion enthusiast who was born and raised in the UAE. "I work in digital marketing for a clothing brand and as the title clearly mentions, a lot of my time is spent online," Heba tells us. "This gives me lots of exposure to lots of different aesthetics and styles which in turn inspires my personal style! You can find me in super sleek formals during the day, going street chic in the evening and comfy as a fluff-ball…
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The micro modest fashion Instagrammer you need to follow

The micro modest fashion Instagrammer you need to follow

Zainab Husain
If there's one social media account that depicts the ultimate, idyllic, Pinterest-worthy mood board for covetable modest fashion, it's that of Dutch-Moroccan Souhailla, who lives in The Netherlands and posts under the pseudonym @modest.archives on Instagram. Here, you'll find dreamy photography of frills, ruffles and feminine fashion layered over white blouses and accessorized with ladylike pearls, gold jewellery and vintage-style bags galore. In an exclusive interview with modestish, Souhailla tells us about her love for oversized clothing, how she developed her aesthetic, what her wardrobe staple is and how faith inspires her sartorial statements. What’s one trend you’ll be living…
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For me, modesty means clothing that’s “worship-approved”

For me, modesty means clothing that’s “worship-approved”

Zainab Husain
Jael Arleth Velez (@simply.jaelvelez on Instagram) is an Apostolic Christian fashion blogger spreading her love for fashion, modesty and Christ on the 'gram. Jael's colourful, yet elegant style is a testament to the fact that modesty is far from drab and boring. In an interview with modestish, she discusses her philosophy behind practicing modesty, gets candid about her unwavering relationship with her faith and remembers her biggest muse, her late grandmother: Define what modesty, as a word, means to you. To me modesty means more than just a fashion trend or fashion statement. More than just looking pretty. To me…
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How Modernest is making modest shopping easier

How Modernest is making modest shopping easier

modestish
It goes without saying that modest fashion bloggers are now all over social media. But while they may have massive followings, many times, the outfits that they post are inaccessible or unaffordable for many of the women who draw inspiration from these influencers, and at other times, the fashion is simply not tagged. Enter Modernest - a new online platform that creates looks inspired by popular modest fashion bloggers' outfit posts, complete with shoppable links so that followers can get their modest fashion fixes easily, seamlessly and immediately. We caught up with the founder of Modernest, Dubai-based, Musfira S. Suleman,…
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Modesty has a dual meaning, says this American-Pakistani

Modesty has a dual meaning, says this American-Pakistani

modestish
"Modestly Speaking" is the social media moniker of fashion enthusiast Fatima Mukhtar, who aims to inspire women to feel confident in dressing modestly. Born and raised in the United States and currently living in Texas, Fatima is of Pakistani descent, and is not your typical Instagram fashion influencer. While she posts outfit images on social media, Fatima circles back to her physical blog, where she chronicles her travel experiences and style advice. Read more about Fatima's lifestyle, her favourite shopping destinations, her views on the wide-reaching potential of modest fashion and more: What inspired the name of your blog, Modestly…
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Celine Fathelbab on balancing comfort and glamour

Celine Fathelbab on balancing comfort and glamour

Amenah Alkhazraji
“Muslim, hijabi, model, full-time student and a rising influencer.” That’s how 20-year-old pre-med student Celine Fathelbab describes herself. With a mission to portray and demonstrate modest fashion to Muslim and non-Muslim women, the Egyptian-American stylist says that “you're allowed to be proud of [modesty] and not feel like you have to change yourself to fit a style, and that your choice for a career does not limit you and the other things you love.” Struggles with identity while wearing the hijab at a young age led Celine to the world of social media and modest fashion. “I felt like I…
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Acquire modesty internally first, advises this Jewish style blogger

Acquire modesty internally first, advises this Jewish style blogger

Zainab Husain
The Instagram feed of young faith-based fashion influencer Rebecca Wizman (@styledbyrebs) is filled with mirror selfies that feature the latest style trends put together with luxe, skin-covering layers. But modesty isn't just a sartorial statement for Rebecca, whose style is imbued with a sense of spiritualty, along with self-respect. Read about how her Orthodox Jewish background inspires the fashion blogger's aesthetic, and how the pandemic played a part in motivating her to expand her reach on social media and help others find a "roadmap" for modest fashion. Any guesses on her wardrobe staple? *Hint* — rhymes with "lazer". What attracts…
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“Modesty isn’t just for women”- meet Mohamed Sharif

“Modesty isn’t just for women”- meet Mohamed Sharif

Sahira Raja
Mohamed Sharif (@theswolearab on Instagram) is on a mission to bring modest menswear to the forefront of the modest fashion movement, which has been typically dominated by women. The 25-year-old male blogger and fitness coach uses his platform to show that you you can be male, modest, and fashionable — he is part of a growing movement of Muslim male influencers who are helping to highlight and destigmatise male modesty. “I think whilst modest fashion isn’t new, you often find its dominated by Muslim women," says Mohamed. "I learned in my faith that modesty isn’t just for women. So, as…
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Meet the inimitable Junaynah, who stars in our debut campaign

Meet the inimitable Junaynah, who stars in our debut campaign

modestish
"A modest perspective based on experience, not a Google search on Middle Eastern culture. #notshadejustfacts." That's what you'll find written on the Instagram bio of UAE-based Junaynah El Guthmy (@junaynaah), the digital creator and modest content director who stars in our launch campaign. Her first experience with modelling began with a local jewellery brand in the UAE, and since, she has worked with brands like Puma, and titles like GQ Middle East. With the grace of a ballerina and an eye for angles and avant-garde aesthetics, Junaynah is a hijabi model with sky-high ambitions, and you can bet she'll be…
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Meet Michal Goldfein: a Jewish fashion columnist & podcaster

Meet Michal Goldfein: a Jewish fashion columnist & podcaster

Zainab Husain
Michal Goldfein, a.k.a The Fashion Detour, is on a mission to keep modest fashion in the spotlight through various media channels that reach the Orthodox Jewish community — and beyond. Michal is the fashion columnist for the Jewish Press, and also has her own self-titled podcast, The Fashion Detour. Here, the trail-blazing mother of four describes tells us how modesty can be a form of self-respect, how shopping second-hand gives her a sartorial edge, and why there's one footwear trend she doesn't plan on trying, ever. What attracts you to the idea of dressing modestly? Any personal turning point in…
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Bahja Kadir on lipgloss, leathers and positive thinking

Bahja Kadir on lipgloss, leathers and positive thinking

Zainab Husain
Bahja Kadir (@bmullaa on Instagram) is an 18-year-old hijabi fashion influencer from London with a Somali background, and her Instagram feed stands out as an exciting combination of street style and class. In a special interview with Modestish, she tells us about her fashion and beauty favourites (spoliers: faux leather and lipgloss!), discusses her thoughts on the power of positive thinking, and tells us there is one empowering piece of cloth in her closet that she has no plans of parting with. How has shopping for modest fashion changed over the past decade, in your experience? For me, shopping for…
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Lady Izdihar on her “historybounding” fashion

Lady Izdihar on her “historybounding” fashion

modestish
One-third of The Honest Scholars, Izdihar Bailey-Basayeva is a historian whose aesthetic is shaped and inspired by Russian history, military history, Eastern European folk dresses and Edwardian blouses. She’s an American convert of Balkan heritage, and goes by the moniker “Lady Izdihar” on social media. In an exclusive discussion with Modestish, she tells us about her prized military accessories and Russian square scarves, and offers some valuable advice for women seeking to dress modestly. Describing her personal style as “selectively historic Eastern European peasant with a militant flare,” she encourages us to refrain from letting others’ opinions and expectations dictate…
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Meet model and co-founder of Redefining Concepts, Aminah Ali

Meet model and co-founder of Redefining Concepts, Aminah Ali

Ayesha Rahman
Aminah Ali is a trailblazer with a mission to de-stigmatise modesty and cultivate a community of support and tolerance among millennial creatives. The 22-year-old Muslim model and fashion graduate at the University of The Arts, uses what could’ve been a barrier to her pursuing her fashion career, to drive her ambitions. “I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for my hijab,” she says. Negativity faced from her community, and being the only Muslim girl wearing a headscarf in her course, fuels her desires to break religious stereotypes within the fashion industry, and make a change. Who else can…
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This #modestfashion blogger bought zero clothes in 2020

This #modestfashion blogger bought zero clothes in 2020

modestish
Yorkshire-born, Qatar-based modest fashion blogger Fadila Patel (@dilacovered on Instagram) has a penchant for bold photography and statement-making styling. Here, she discusses the impractical fashion trend that she'll never try, how the pandemic has made her re-think her relationship with fashion and consumption, and her vision for a fashion industry that's more inclusive: 1. What attracts you to the idea of dressing modestly? Any personal turning point in your life that inspired you to embark on a more modest lifestyle? My journey of dressing modestly started around my early teens, maybe for the wrong reasons though, I always dressed in…
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This Latina sneakerhead’s style icon is… her dad!

This Latina sneakerhead’s style icon is… her dad!

modestish
19-year-old San Diego resident Elizabeth Navarro (@LizbeLikee on Instagram) has an effortless, feminine-meets-practicality aesthetic that you'll be itching to emulate after scrolling through her stylish feed. Floaty floral dresses, denim jackets, oversized sweaters and playful skirts are combined with sporty socks and sneakers. Elizabeth discusses how the pandemic gave her time and space to experiment with fashion, and how to stay confident and secure with your personal style. She also talks about her surprising style icon, and the Chanel-esque set that's hanging in her wardrobe. 1. What attracts you to the idea of dressing modestly? Any personal turning point in…
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“Serving looks” that aren’t sexy is empowering, says Julia Jackson

“Serving looks” that aren’t sexy is empowering, says Julia Jackson

modestish
20-year old Hispanic/Native-American part-time designer Julia Jackson (@sorryyms.jackson on Instagram — yes, her moniker is inspired by the popular Outkast song) believes that modesty is not only empowering, but also an art form. Here, she discusses the three factors that influence her daily outfits, how the pandemic has changed her approach to fashion, the limitations of the modest plus-size market, and the maximalist styling trend that’s on her radar for the upcoming autumn/winter season. She also talks about the creative fashion face masks she is making, and the plans she has for her fashion and accessories brand moving forward. 1.…
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Modest fashion blogger Sarah Dimani launches new platform centred on “healthy narcissism”

Modest fashion blogger Sarah Dimani launches new platform centred on “healthy narcissism”

modestish
Fashion bloggers who post selfies and images of their outfits, complete with descriptions of their beauty products and designer clothing, are often deemed "narcissists". Even modest fashion bloggers, who specialise in skin-covering attire and are usually motivated by religious ideals, are sometimes labeled with this word. Antwerp-based modest fashion blogger Sarah Dimani however, is on a mission to change the negative connotations associated with the phrase "narcissist" and has labeled her new creative platform "The Narcist". Read on to find out how she defines this term: "A few years ago when I was studying, somebody called me a narcissist and…
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Meet Malika, the Hijabi Lolita giving modest fashion a maximalist, fairy-tale twist

Meet Malika, the Hijabi Lolita giving modest fashion a maximalist, fairy-tale twist

modestish
Home-bound, while social distancing and avoiding large gatherings, women are itching to dress up again, longing for the return of aesthetics reflective of whimsical, fairy-tale fantasies. Within this realm of maximalism, lies the niche and alternative Lolita style of dressing. Lolita, according to Urban Dictionary, refers to “a fashion from Japan that tries to capture the innocence of youth, and nostalgia for the 19th century”, and can be broken down into categories – gothic, sweet and classic. Lolita styles are undeniably eye-catching and highly exhibitionist – yet it’s evidently possible for the trend to overlap with modest fashion. 27-year-old Black-American-Muslim…
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Meet Rivka Sajida: the Muslim revert whose wardrobe contains Pride T-shirts and lace niqabs

Meet Rivka Sajida: the Muslim revert whose wardrobe contains Pride T-shirts and lace niqabs

modestish
Not often do you come across a Muslim woman who identifies as Queer, polyamorous, niqabi, and was previously Jewish. In fact, Rivka Sajida bint Yahudei (born Paige Davis) may just be the only woman fitting the above description (correct us if we’re wrong!) The 28-year-old lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and her personal style can be best described as eclectic, goth-punk hijabi lolita – with the occasional decorative face veil. Fascinated? So are we. Follow her on Instagram @umm.udh.dhibu and @RivkaZee on Twitter, and you'll find yourself endlessly scrolling to find out more about this intriguing theologian, scholar and fashion…
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