Established by Young Designer, Zahra Akinpeju. She aims to provide modest yet fashionable clothing and style inspiration for women worldwide.
Zahra Akinpeju
Zahra is the CEO and Founder of the fashion label. She manages all aspects of the company, from finance and public relation to operations and designing. Zahra is studying for a BSc in Economics at The School of Oriental and African Studies.
Zahra Zakariya at Smoky Not Smudgy
Zahra showcased her Debut collection at the Smoky Not Smudgy Runway Show hosted by Imperial College London for Charity Week 2011.
Zahra Zakariya at the LFW February 2011
You will find out everything that is happening with Zahra Zakariya here, our Facebook page and Twitter.
StyleIn! Competition
Zahra Akinpeju took part in the 2011 StyleIn! Competition. She competed against thousands of designers and triumphantly finished as a FINALIST!
~Day 7~ As Hijabi Fashion Week comes to an end, I showcase my final look; Out with friends. Whether it's out to dinner, a theatre trip or a sleep over, I keep girls close. They are the ones that encourage me when I'm down and help me find the true meaning of the Hijab and Sisterhood in Islam. Love them to bits and this look is dedicated to them.
Day 5 Everyone loves Eid! It's a day to dress up, celebrate with family and friends, reflect on your year and be grateful for all your blessings. Here are pictures from Eid last year spent with my closest friends =) I'm wearing an outfit made by yours truly that showcases a fusion of traditional African print (Ankara) and a modern skirt and blouse style.
The only time you'll catch me in anything close to trousers in public is at the gym or training. Here are some pics in our make shift home gym, courtesy of my brothers. Who said hijabi's don't do sports eyy. Here I'm rocking some Adidas trakies, black hijab and Tee. A splash of purple and my funky die-dye plimsolls
(Photography by Taofiq Akinpeju: My other lovely brother)
Here are some pictures with one of my prized possessions I stumbled across at LFW 2011. I threw this outfit together for a friends birthday dinner. I was going for a casual sheek look, and my lovely red bag from Knomo completed the look. (Blaser: Zara, Hijab: H&M, Lace Top: New look, Moccasin Shoes: New Look, Maxi Dress: New Look Tall~Kitted out in New Look ;-)
(Photography by one of my brothers. Lol...forgotten which one. Taofiq & Teslim Akinpeju)
Don't loose yourself in what others are doing or by trying to live up to other peoples expectations.
Stay true to yourself, and that can only happen if you know yourself.
So take time out to find the inner you. Analyse what you do and how you respond to different trials.
Find your strength and even your weaknesses.
Stay true to yourself.
Today a dear friend told me, "you will never regret anything in life if you did it for the sake of Allah". Every decision u make, ask yourself 'who am I trying to please'??
Pleasing others above yourself and worse of all above the Creator is a dangerous game.
Protect yourself, cuz if you haven't learnt it already, learn it fast... There is only one person you can rely on and that is Allah!
This year I have decided to take part in the Silk Route StyleIn Design Competition.
It has been a manic few weeks trying to bring my design to reality before voting starts, but now I present to you my final design not only on paper but also as a finished product. I name my design....Silk Fusion
My final piece has been made using a crepe silk fabric, which enhances the elegance of the design. From the initial sketch to the final product the dress has visibly evolved. After making the mock up of the bodice, I fell in love with the simplicity of the shape and cut. At this stage I was unsure as to whether I still wanted to include the silk chiffon ruffles that were in the original sketch.
By the time I made the bodice using my final fabric I decided to keep it simple and sophisticated, retaining the gold buttons for a nice classic edge but doing away with the front ruffles inorder to enhance the beautiful silhouette given by the simple shoulder detail.
The colour plays a big role in establishing the design. The soft pastel of the salmon colour is timeless, elegant and unique and a big theme that will be seen in future designs and collections.
My driving force for taking part in the competition is to not only promote myself as a designer, but also to contribute to the Muslim Fashion industry and bank of ideas as to how women can dress modestly and still be stylish at the same time.
Please show your support and VOTE for my design on the Silk Route StyleIn site, or just click on the vote hyperlink.
Designed and edited by Zahra Akinpeju (aka Zahra.BZ)
Many processes were involved in the evolution of Silk Fusion.
From sketches in pencil, pen, water colour and even oil pastels, to paper patterns, cotton mock-ups and fabric sampling. At the end of it, i'm glad to be able to share the finished product with you.
This project saw me staying up to odd hours of the morning as I gave myself a very tight schedule to work with.
I organised a photo-shoot to showcase the finished design and also record a short video which I'll share with you also.
Photography (so far) by Zahra Akinpeju (aka Zahra.BZ)
I also designed and make a unique hijab to complement this look, from a silk chiffon fabric mixed with a gold lace fabric.
This abaya can be made glamorous with simple accesseries such as a gold hijab, heels and some simple jewellery like the bracelet I have on in the picture above.
Your look can be totally transformed, by throwing on a blaser and a simple pashmina hijab, allowing you to wear this same dress to work, a business lunch or any other smart- formal event.
Photographer: Zinah N. Sharif, Dress: by Zahra Akinpeju (Part of ZAHRA&ZINAH FASHION HOUSE)
Here is a short video I made just going through my design process and the evolution of my design.
Thank you for checking out my page. Please feel free to share this page and my video with family and friends and help promote my design.
Don't forget to VOTEand also spread the word via email,facebook, twitter and which other medium you can support me with.
