I want to dedicate this post to the aspiring fabulous Muslim fashion designer Rabia Z. I pray during this holy moth that Allah (swt) during this holy month will continue to increase her success, that He will guide and protect her. And that her success will be a motivation for all of us reaching out for our dreams Ameen! 

Rabia Z is a business graduate from university of Phoenix & Nassau Community Collage NYC. Rabia was living in USA during the tragic 9/11 while studying fashion. It was during that time that she took up wearing the hijab. She came to realize the challenges that moderate Muslims were facing trying to dress conservatively. 

This was an experience that effected Rabia deeply and it led her to a unique design ideology. The brand Rabia Z was born, a brand that deemed "modestly is always in style". 

Rabia’s aim from day one has been to create a solution for women who want to be moderate, yet modern. She is the first brand to produce pret - a - couture to meet the needs of the ever evolving 96 Billion US $ Islamic wear market. 

Her debut collection was the winner of The Emerging Designer Award in October 2007 at Dubai Fashion Week. She also went to win the British Councils International Young Fashion Entrepreneur in 2008. 

Rabia’s master class with Sir Paul Smith and retail management training at TOPSHOP & SELFRIDGES gave her the opportunity to evolve as one of the first professional brands that introduced covered silhouettes into international catwalks. She also introduced color into normally dark Islamic wear. 

For Rabia it’s been all about empowering women, who when covered up face problems internationally. She focused her brand to challenge stereotypes while introducing solutions to bridge the divide. 

Her designs had been featured in some of the most famous runways such as Abu Dhabi Fashion Week in collaboration with Milan Fashion Week, Dubai Fashion Week, Creation Fashion Week, Dubai Fashion Fiesta and Fashion Expo Arabia. The list could just go on. 

The constantly innovating Rabia is also working on to develop a temperature controlled line for women suffering the heat of Arabia & Africa. 

I hope you are all enjoying the Ramadan and getting ready for Koriteh. It will be back in two-weeks with something new. But you can always follow me on Facebook – search Style by Mariam.