Muslim Girls Continue the Takeover at New York Fashion Week

There I was, scrolling down my Instagram feed, thinking that New York Fashion Week couldn’t possibly get any better, when 14 double taps later I get to a post showcasing not one, not two but three Hijabi bloggers posing in front of the Desigual show. Those three bloggers were Leena Asad of With Love Leena, Summer Albarcha and Samantha Iman. Maria Alia announced her presence too with a snapshot of her view from her hotel room captioned, “NYFW, what’s good?”

Not only did this mean a plethora of always needed outfit inspiration, it also meant representation and deserved recognition of the ever growing Muslim fashion scene. Fashion has always been called out for its lack of diversity, and rightly so. You’d think an industry so encouraging of nonconformity in style would act the same when it came to people. And now it has. With H&M’s latest ad campaign and now the designers of NYFW, the fashion industry is realizing how much more flavorsome it is seeing what people of different colors and religions can bring to the table.

The girls pulled off their usual immaculate mix of style and modesty in their street-style looks. Maxi skirts, fringe and all white looks reigned supreme. Maria Alia repped Palestine with her Keffiyeh printed kimono. Leena Asad of With Love Leena found that “people were really accepting and admired that I maintained modesty with style.” One of those admirers was Vogue, who featured her in her chic pastel pink power suit in one of their street style lists.

It was the first fashion week for all and also was the first time that the bloggers met in person. They were invited to some under-the-radar designer collections (like Zang Toi, Idan Cohen, Custo Barcelona), as well as some well-known ones (Betsey Johnson, Reem Acra and Desigual).

Watching them take on New York Fashion Week the way only these ladies can was amazing. I can’t wait to see what lies in store.

Written By Fatima N.