Hijabtrendz Exclusive: Hijabi Couture
June 1st, 2009
Many hijab clothing companies are started by women who have a desire to bring modesty and fashion together.
This week we bring you Hijabi Couture and an interview with its founder and CEO Francesca Najea Lujain.
Lujain took quite an adventure by relocating to Morocco to create her clothing line.
What is Hijabi Couture? What kind of clothing do you focus on? (i.e. dresses, abayas, skirts?)
Hijabi Couture was started to fill the void to provide active and modern women modest attire. As such, our fabrics are breathable and fine, to ensure comfort for the woman on the go. Our clothes also are versatile, you can wear them from gym to the office, to pick up your kids, to take them around to sporting events, to fabulous fundraisers and soirees to nights out on the town with your man.
What made you decide to make such a jump from NYC to Morrocco? Had you been there before?
I wanted to make hijrah and really provide my family and myself the opportunity to be fluent in Arabic and French. My Grandfather had lived in Morocco and kept a house there until he died, so my mother and uncles traveled back and forth through-out their lives. I was also very disappointed in the foreign policies that my tax dollars were funding at that time. As such, I decided to leave as a mostly spiritual but also political move.
Are you back in the U.S now? Will you still be sourcing your materials from Morocco?
I am BACK!!! I’ve opened a boutique in the Malcolm Shabaaz Harlem Market, booth 82 on 116th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues. I have produced my line in Morocco and I am selling it out of my boutique there and the one that I have here, as well as the online store. For all of your New York readers: I am looking for a saleswoman!
Tell us a little about your experience in Morrocco. Many people may think it’s not hijab friendly. How was your experience?
I was very disappointed to find out that it is prohibited to wear hijab at many companies and schools in Morocco. I still find it shocking. May Allah guide people to be less judgmental and to be rightly guided.
What can customers expect from Hijabi Couture that’s different from other online shops?
Our clothes are made of fine fabrics and they are also very well-tailored. You will find that our products also are surged and finished with the highest attention to detail. These are clothes that were made to last. Furthermore, you can expect that you will be dealt with the utmost of respect and professionalism as a customer.
I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the support this company has received. People encourage me with their kind words and purchases. It’s extremely costly and difficult to produce several clothing lines a year with a variety of sizes and styles. I work very hard and do this for my Ummah. I pray that people will continue to support this company. If there is anyway in which you see that it can improve, I’d be grateful for the advice.
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