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| Far Right: Holding the lovely keyboard on the far right picture is Hana while further right is Fifi |
Many of us are convinced that the future of islamic fashion lies in the arms of our beloved muslim brothers and sisters in Indonesia/Malaysia. In store, I have an interview from two gentlewomen symbolizing success straight from Jakarta, Indonesia. They embody the life of muslim women. Not every muslim woman is struggling for basic rights. Islam has protested for women's rights more than 1000 years ago, this religion has protested far earlier than the suffrage, first-wave or third-wave feminism movements.
These women that I have had the pleasure to interview are lovely and are so stylish. Their photography and fashion choices are what leave me and their readers in awe.
Keep inspiring us Hana and Fifi.
Please support them at: www.hijabscarf.blogspot.com
1.Tell us about yourselves personal style and your
favorite fashion item.
Hanna was born in 1983. Communications is her major. Recently quit
from her job as an international acquisition in one of tv station in
Jakarta. She likes to wear loose clothes, like batwing tops, boyfriend
shirts or harem pants. However, pants is her most important outfit
since she has a curvy body. Her big hips have to get more attention.
Fifi was born in 1985. Graphic design and multimedia is her major.
Recently quit from her job as a motion graphic designer in one of tv
station in Jakarta. Photography is her hobby. Currently enjoying her
time as a housewife, playing piano and watching tv. She likes to
collect jackets and cardigans and has a old collection of
dresses.
2.Tell us about to your country, and does your culture inspire you?
It inspires us a lot and in so many ways. Indonesia has a variety of sub-cultures.
Every cultures in Indonesia has their own characteristics, traditions
and cultural richness that are very inspiring. In terms of fashion,
each part of Indonesia has their own style, characters and traditional
clothes. You can find there are different Traditional dresses and
batik pattern from each area. Every dress and pattern brings their own
unique characteristics with their respective meaning and philosophy.
We like to wear an Indonesian batik or traditional fabric as a
sarong to attend formal occasion.
Each culture has a strong family philosophy. How to maintain
relationship in family and to be nice to everyone. That is why
Indonesian people are friendly and like to smile. Good thing about
this culture is that Indonesian are open to modernization and
globalization. From fashion perspectives, we can see many traditional
fabrics that got modified adjusted with the latest trend. We also can
find plenty of hijab styles here and many styles of wrapping
scarves here.
3. What do you hope to achieve with your Hijabscarf blog; (which I
think is destined for success)
Hijabscarf was made with the good intention of simply expressing our
perspective about hijab style. The interpretation about hijab vary
and to please every opinion is not easy, however it will be great
if our blog can be accepted to everyone. We also would love to see
Hijabscarf in a printed version and bring more excitement about hijab
fashion to everyone.
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To the far left: traditional Indonesian dress, next is a picture of Fifi
next: Picture of Bangkok streets To the far right: a fashion show being featured in their blog. |
4. Why is style important to Muslim women like you?
It is not merely style that is important to every woman, but the
attitude that is brought out by each one of us from the style we have chosen.
If every individual, especially woman, had confidence with anything she
wears, she can be anything she wants to be. It is amazing how a
dress can build so much confidence to a person. We hope Hijabscarf can
bring that energy to every woman and inspire every sister to be a
tough Muslim women through the clothes and styles we present.
5. Is it hard to balance womanhood, family, (since both of you are
married), career, religion and fashion?
It is not that hard to make us stressed but its not that
easy since everything needs our full attention. We are so lucky to have fully supporting husband to enhance our passion. We both enjoy talking
about fashion. Our husbands basically trust in every career we
choose. So everything does not feel hard as long as we are doing
something passionately, happily, with the full support from our families and blessing
from Allah.
6. What do you think of feminism? Do you
incorporate feminine qualities in your style ex: ruffles?
The word feminism might sound daunting. Actually we would love to be conservative wives. Take good care of our husband and kids. However we also like to express our
passion in the field that we love. In style wise, we can show our feminine side by wearing a maxi dress. Hanna sometimes wear florals pattern to create feminine impression. Fifi likes to wear a flower headbands like they did in the 60s over her head scarf.
7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman? (other than fashion)
Other than pregnancy and giving birth, there are many great things
about being a woman. Every woman was born with vary of advantages. Like we
often heard, women and kids should come first. Woman can ask to be
treated special than every man but also ask for a gender equality. One
day we could insist on asking to be treated special because we are
women, we deserve to be treated special. But on the other day we
pursue to be treated as equal. Basically every woman born with many
opportunities and advantages comes within. So far we feel blessed to
be a woman.
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Upper Right: Hana and Fifi Lower Right: Fifi
Upper left and Lower left: Fashion being featured in their blog |
8. What do you want to tell the world about being a muslim woman?
We want to change the perception of Muslim woman from a stay at home
wife, dealing housework's into someone inspiring and tough women
inside and outside their house. From our little blog in Indonesia, we
would like to achieve big dreams that every Muslim woman is entitled
to be treated the same wherever and whatever field you choose.
9. What is one piece of fashion advice you always follow (ex: don't
wear 2 types of prints in an outfit)
Actually Hanna likes mixing two types of prints in an outfit. She can
wear flower undershirt with a striped cardigans. The most important
advice of fashion we could possibly give is actually cliche. You have
to be comfortable with every clothes that you wear. Confidence is a
must. Fashion is not merely about how to dress nice and well presented
but also an attitude from the person itself. In terms of fashion, we
both never have a gut to wear any leopard printed material to wear and
never get our outfit exactly matched from top to toe. Put a little
surprise on your outfit.
Thank you ladies so much!
Photo Credits: www.hijabscarf.blogspot.com
