Bringing you the latest tips from the Islamic fashion blogosphere, we’d like to introduce you to Zeba Ramos, and her blog, http://hijabizlovefashiontoo.wordpress.com/. We love her creativity, and we’re sure you will too.

SHUKR: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Zeba: I live in New York, but I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC Canada. I am a wife, mother and a fashion designer, and I am in the process of starting my own clothing line “Zeba Ramos” which Insha’Allah will be available in the Fall. I love to blog and talk about fashion and like many other ladies out there, I LOVE TO SHOP!!

SHUKR: How did you first get involved in blogging?

Zeba: I have always thought about blogging, I wanted to show other Muslimah’s that dressing fashionably but Islamically isn’t hard. I knew that women would respond well to a blog, so I started off by talking about fashion and giving tutorials on how to sew your own hijab and now I even have requests from readers that ask me to show different ways to wear the hijab, so I also do HOW TO videos.

SHUKR: What do you find most challenging about blogging, or writing in general?

Zeba: I guess finding the time to do so many things at once. I love blogging, but with a 16-month-old, sewing samples, and looking for fabrics, it’s gets overwhelming. I love doing my DYI video’s, but with the editing and trying to keep my son out of the videos is very challenging and time consuming. I get nervous sometimes when I’m writing, everyone that comes across my blog has positive things to say, but I do get the occasional negative comment or email so when I’m writing my articles I am very cautious!

SHUKR: How would you describe your personal style?

Zeba: I’m very feminine, so my personal style is sophisticated with a feminine touch. I love fun colors, flowy fabrics and I have to be comfortable.

SHUKR: Do you have any style tips you’d like to share with our readers?

Zeba: Don’t be afraid to experiment, you may just stumble upon your personal style. You can buy a simple shirt or dress but you can always make it your own by adding accessories and the right hijab.

SHUKR: Do you have a favorite SHUKR garment?

Zeba: My favorite piece is the Tencel Denim Batoul Skirt, it’s fun and unique!

SHUKR: Finally, what do you have SHUKR (gratitude) for?

Zeba: I am very grateful to be a Muslimah! I’m thankful for my parents and the way I was raised by my amazing father and late mother. I am thankful for my husband, son, and for the creative ability that Allah SWT has blessed me with. SHUKR ALLAH!

Bringing you the latest tips from the Islamic fashion blogosphere, we’d like to introduce you to Hijabi, and her fabulous blog, http://hijabiii.com/. We love her style, and we’re sure you will too.

SHUKR: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hijabi: I’m Shamma, a twenty-two-year-old hijabi fashion blogger from a tiny chain of islands in the Indian ocean known as the Maldives. I’ve been wearing the hijab since I was ten-years-old.

SHUKR: How did you first get involved in blogging?

Hijabi: At first I used to try out different hijab styles and post photos of it on my Facebook profile. Everyone seemed to like these styles a lot and a lot of people from my family and friends encouraged me to start a blog of my own where I can post hijab style tutorials, style tips, etc.

SHUKR: What do you find most challenging about blogging, or writing in general?

Hijabi: What I find most challenging is to stick to a particular topic or type of dress when blogging about fashion. That is, when I write about abayas I find it difficult to only write about abayas, I usually try to broaden the topic and include, abaya-like looks like maxi dresses, skirts, etc.

SHUKR: How would you describe your personal style?

Hijabi: I’d describe my personal style as an average abaya look jazzed up a bit with a colourful hijab or different hijab styles. I do not like to accessorize much but I tend to use accessories whenever I feel like my outfit needs it. I like to play it safe and wear black/brown/grey abayas but I occasionally wear other colours (light and dark) as well.

SHUKR: Do you have any style tips you’d like to share with our readers?

Hijabi: The most thing about any outfit is that you look modest. The next most important thing is how well you can combine modesty and style without going over the top, though it works for some people. Being yourself in your clothing selection is very important. Fashion is a self statement of what you’d choose to wear and not what other people want you to wear. To dress while keeping this in mind, finish off your outfit and a comfortable coat of confidence together with a cape of self ease and you are all dressed up and ready to go anywhere!

SHUKR: Do you have a favorite SHUKR garment?

Hijabi: I simply love all SHUKR’S clothes especially their unique dresses and their comfortable tunic tops and skirt combinations!

SHUKR: Finally, what do you have ‘shukr’ (gratitude) for?

Hijabi: I have ‘shukr’ for a lot of things. First and foremost I have shukr towards Allah (swt) for making me a Muslim, for guiding me, for a good life, a supportive family and the best friends and for wonderful people I have met from around the world once I started to blog. May Allah (swt) bless us all.

Salaam,

Just a note to those in Michigan, come and check out SHUKR clothing in person at the Muslim Ladies Fashion Show at Crescent Academy! We will not have a booth, but we will be in the fashion show which starts at 2:45, so don’t miss it!

We recently asked Zain Bhikha his plans for the upcoming year. SHUKR is the official sponsor of Zain Bhikha’s wardrobe.

Well, 2011 has started very well for me. I have been focusing on productions more and trying to travel less. We have some exciting projects coming up. I’ve done a fantastic duet caled “Ellahi” with Midddle Eastern Artist, Fadi Tolbi which should be released in the next few weeks. [We will post the link once it's available.] We are working on finishing the much anticipated “Youth Album” before this Ramadaan which promises to feature artists from around the world, including my son Rashid, Khalil Ismail from the USA, Le Rappel from France and many more. This album will be much more contemporary and hopefully provide inspiration and hope for our young adults around the world. Proposed Launch date is middle July 2011.

In terms of upcoming shows, I am very blessed to be part of a nasheed festival taking place in Malaysia on the 1st of May 2011. I will be joined by renowned international artists including Native Deen, Khalil Muhammad, Aashiq al Rasul and then various Malaysian groups as well. This promises to be loads of fun.

Later shows includes a national tour of South Africa and also joining friends at Living Islam in the UK during July 2011.

Please stay in touch on our website www.zainbhikha.com and also on www.facebook.com/zainbhikhaofficial

Love and Peace,

Zain Bhikha

This past weekend, SHUKR was honored to meet with Native Deen–an Islamic musical group from the Washington, D.C. area. We ate together at one of the top restaurants in Amman, Reem Al-Bawadi. It was an honor to learn about Native Deen’s vision, music, and their intention to empower youth and spread the values of Islam.

We also got the chance to show Native Deen our store in Swefieh Mall in Amman, Jordan. They saw our clothing line for women, and many of them picked up some items for their wives and future spouses. They met with fans, signed autographs, and also did a little performance of their latest single “I am Near.” Overall it was an exciting experience for us, and we look forward to them visiting again.

- Basim, Marketing Manager