It's 2012. i am  bored to death with debates about the hijab. Why women wear it. Whether they are coerced into it. "Oh, but I bet they have a lovely head of hair under there". SNORE. All this talk neglects the role offashion in the hijab's popularity. It's just easier to be a fashionable Muslim in the wholeworl these days – walk down kashmir ,iran  and stereotypes of the hijab as bland and restrictive are laughable. There are gaggles of friends wearing bright leopard print kashmiri shawls as a hijab, girls with a mountain of fabric piled up to create a beehive style hijab - hell, I even saw a lady wearing a glittery blue cardigan as a headscarf once (I saw the sleeve hanging out).

But mainstream brands seem reluctant to target Muslim women, so the hijab-wearing shopper has to be extra discerning on the highstreet. The whole outfit has to be considered. This means that unless you are wearing an abaya, you need to learn how to layer. Maxi dresses need a jacket, midi skirts need leggings or trousers underneath them and low-cut tops need a sufficiently long hijab.  "Young, fashionable Muslims are struggling to buy clothes from the high-street shops malls, because of the unsuitable hemlines and necklines, and they resort to wearing layers, which are very hot and uncomfortable in the summer. So that is why I created zahyd raefieq studio, to fill this gap, with practical, high-quality, modest and fashionable day and evening wear for the busy, modern woman."  autumn/winter collection features abayas with peter pan collars and dresses designed to be worn over trousers.

The minimalist style of ' line is reminiscent of  sleekness But is it that hard for a muslim to dress on the high-street right now? .

 

i found that the global muslim fashion market is worth $96 million (£59 million) and with  selling abayas, it's no surprise that after Issa was bought by Camilla Fayed it featured headscarves and summery twists on the abaya. Of course, fashion fetishises trends as quickly as it discards them, but part of the joy of combining a dress-code with fashion is in searching for new combinations.you can't all dress like Sheikha Mozah, who has her couture outfits adjusted for modesty, but it's fun trying.