11 Muslim Women in the Fashion-Beauty Industry Reveal Their Style Icons
The fashion world has started making space for Muslim women over the past few years, and it's about time. We've seen increased representation of Muslims at New York fashion week, and in the beauty world online. Model Halima Aden has become a household name, released her own headscarves and sparked a conversation about what it means to be a Muslim woman in fashion. What used to be one-off occurrences have become more and more commonplace with Muslim designers, entrepreneurs, and influencers making worldwide headlines every month.
Megastars of the Halima-variety aside, Muslim women are leaving their mark on the industry every day in various capacities, at all levels, and not solely in modest or Muslim-focused markets. From holding it down in executive positions at established brands to forging their own paths as intrepid entrepreneurs, these women exhibit unique perspectives, diverse backgrounds, and of course, fierce style. In the spirit of empowering one another, we asked dynamic Muslim women working in beauty and fashion to share the inspirational women they call style icons.
Courtesy of Anum Tariq1/12Anum Tariq
"Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, Saudi royal and the first editor-in-chief of Vogue Arabia. You can tell that high-fashion is like second nature to her. She always looks glamorous, elegant, and dynamic. Also, Emmanuelle Alt, editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris. Her style is leather, lots of black, and oh-I-just-threw-this-on Parisian edge — very much goals."
— Anum Tariq, fashion illustrator
Courtesy of Arshiya Kherani2/12Arshiya Kherani
"I've been following U.K. influencer Dina Tokio for years and love how she uses bold colors and patterns. Sometimes it's just easier to reach for a black hijab, but she makes me want to pair things in my own wardrobe more boldly. I also love how blogger Brittany Xavier can make something traditional like flowered embroidery look really contemporary by using a bold lipstick or a high, clean ponytail. Of course, my favorite style icon is my mom. I love going home and stealing some of her old ‘80s blazers and blouses that are still in great shape. I hope my kids feel that way about my wardrobe one day!"
— Arshiya Kherani, founder & CEO of Sukoon Active, a modest activewear company
Courtesy of Farah Dhukai3/12Farah Dhukai
"I love Aaliyah’s style from the ‘90s. I love how she was very feminine and had the best makeup, but was kind of tomboyish at the same time. It’s so me. I’m always in something oversized but I’ll be pretty glammed up [in the face]."
— Farah Dhukai, beauty vlogger
Courtesy of Hoda Katebi, taken by Kevin Serna4/12Hoda Katebi
"Women in the Qajar era, a 19th-century dynasty of Iran known for their distinctive style, knew their patterns!"
— Hoda Katebi, activist fashion blogger, author & photographer of Tehran Streetstyle
Courtesy of Melanie Elturk5/12Melanie Elturk
"I love Olivia Palermo's style. It's super wearable and classic yet eclectic. I love adding a little twist to timeless pieces. I also love the ‘40s throwback vibe of Victoria Beckham. The wide-leg trousers and longer length skirts and dresses are so glamorous and feminine."
— Melanie Elturk, CEO of Haute Hijab
Courtesy of Monis Zahira Alam6/12Monis Zahira Alam
"Alicia Silverstone in Clueless and Kareena Kapoor in the Bollywood film, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. Both have truly unapologetic and confident style with the baddest closets."
— Monis Zahira Alam, senior digital director at KDC Worldwide
Courtesy of Noor Molvi7/12Noor Molvi
"The Olsen twins know how to elevate the bohemian look and have an untouchable level of chic that is truly aspirational. I love their penchant for rich textures and unexpected proportions. I'm big on creating vintage-inspired pieces for my own line and look to how they seamlessly blend styles across decades."
— Noor Molvi, designer of NOORNOIR
[Disclaimer: Designer Noor Molvi is related to the writer of this article]
Courtesy of Saniyyah Bilal8/12Saniyyah Bilal
"Nadira Quddus is a blogger, entrepreneur, and friend. She effortlessly balances her life as a fashion guru while also enjoying the glorious pleasures of motherhood. I am so proud that she represents part of an often overlooked group of African-American Muslim fashion icons in the United States.
U.K. Blogger Sagal Ibrahim Shire is truly inspiring and reminds me to celebrate my womanhood and African culture. She exudes radiance in a very regal way. Her look is effortless, but always styled to perfection. Overall, she has a great level of worldwide consciousness, style, and culture that resonates with me."
— Saniyyah Bilal, model and wardrobe stylist
Courtesy of Sarah El-Annan9/12Sarah El-Annan
“I inherited my love for boho-chic and obsession for beautiful gems from my mom. One of my favorite things to do was play with her jewelry collection of unique pieces she'd buy globetrotting. She's always been a revolutionary and feminist growing up in war-torn Lebanon without a dad and surrounded by leading matriarchs. She fostered my quirky sense of style by letting me wear whatever I wanted even when that meant rocking purple tights and a mini skirt with mismatched earrings at seven.
Whenever I'm having a restless style day, I'll look to Jenna Lyons for a refresh on my wardrobe. She rocks classic pieces in the most unconventional ways. She embodies power, style, and fearless fashion.”
— Sarah El-Annan, vice president of marketing at Luxury Brand Partners
Courtesy of Sarah Marie Bashir10/12Sarah Marie Bashir
"I love Iris Apfel’s emphasis on travel and culture. She always wears pieces from her travels, including large statement pieces, and is not afraid to be bold. She recognizes how different cultures influence our vision and inspires us.
Kuwaiti-American blogger Ascia AKF styles everyday items very modestly and always makes it look so chic!"
— Sarah Marie Bashir, product developer & designer
Courtesy of Saufeeya Goodson11/12Saufeeya Goodson
"Solange, Zendaya, Princess Deena of Saudi Arabia & Sheikha Moza of Qatar. They're all very bold and unique in their fashion sense. Solange is a creative genius, she always pulls off the unexpected. Zendaya is a breath of fresh air, her style is very playful! Princess Deena and Sheikha Moza are my absolute favorites, they carry themselves with dignity and respect. Their style is modest and graceful. They are the modern women I aspire to be like!"
— Saufeeya Goodson, content creator
Courtesy of Rafiqah Akhdar12/12Rafiqah Akhdar
"I have many style icons but Maria Alia Al-Sadek is my main one because she is a young hijabi like myself. She shows me how I can keep up with popular fashion trends without losing my modesty. She always stuns with each look and even puts corsets and skirts on top of other longer pieces as the perfect edge. Every time I see her pictures on Instagram I want to raid her closet. She is a perfect example of style goals. She makes me want to actually experiment with outfits in my closet. Maria's style gives me the confidence that even as a hijabi I can still be seen as fashionable."
— Rafiqah Akhdar, model and makeup artist
