FAB Group aims to lead in hospitality, dining and branding innovation across MENA

FAB Group, a new lifestyle and culinary venture created by UAE-based investment and development company DEAL Holdings, plans to launch popular boutique brands featuring Michelin-star talent from the UK and Europe across the MENA region, while also creating immersive culinary and lifestyle experiences.

FAB Group is committed to opening a minimum of 25 locations in the UAE over the next five years, with additional flagship destinations in Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha and the Red Sea.

Along with enhancing the region's growing reputation as a global culinary hub, the launch of FAB Group will support local talent, providing access to employment opportunities with roughly 800 jobs set to be created in the UAE alone over the next five years, and more across the wider GCC.

Andrew Cullen, FAB Group Regional F&B Director said: "Over the course of the next few months, we will be making some hugely exciting announcements which will significantly enhance the region's F&B offerings and redefine how the industry is perceived both on a regional and global level.

"The Middle East is already widely regarded as a leader in this space, with many of the world's biggest brands now operating in the region. Our ambition is to build on the fantastic work which has already been carried out and strengthen MENA's global status."

Abdalla Al'Mheiri, DEAL Holdings CEO added: "We are thrilled to introduce FAB Group to the Middle East market, marking a significant moment for the region's hospitality sector, which continues to thrive.

"Created by DEAL Holdings, FAB Group has big ambitions, and we are fully committed to making strategic investment, enabling the brand to evolve with a clear direction while achieving its long-term objectives."

FAB Group's portfolio will span fine dining, contemporary cuisine, café culture, nightlife, wellness concepts, and luxury brand collaborations. Several flagship projects are already in development and will be announced in the coming months.

A major investment and development company, DEAL Holdings boasts a substantial number of branded residences, hospitality projects and commercial real estate across the MENA region.

Hana Tajima's 2017 spring/summer collection is out

Uniqlo and fashion designer Hana Tajima have launched the 2017 spring/summer collection in Singapore and Malaysia.

The Hana Tajima Lifewear collection is exclusive to Uniqlo and is inspired by the relationship between movement and form while echoing Tajima's Japanese roots and English upbringing.

The collection features elegant, contemporary styles that are both versatile and comfortable. Pieces include long flowing skirts, tapered ankle-length pants, loose-fitting blouses, kebaya and hijab. Solid colours dominate, particular dark colours and shades of brown.

Interested?

View the Uniqlo video interview with Hana Tajima

Watch the video on creating looks with the 2017 spring/summer collection for Uniqlo

Check out the hijab tutorial with the shaped hijab with ties from the collection 

In Singapore, the collection is available at 313@Somerset, Bugis+, OneKM and online.

*Images source: Uniqlo website.

Gap invites kids to make wishes for Ramadhan at their Wishing Wall

Source: Al Tayer.

Gap, the fashion retailer, is displaying a Wishing Wall throughout Ramadhan at selecting stores in the Middle East.

Every child who visited the Gap store has the chance to draw or write a wish for themselves, their family or their friends and post it on the Wishing Wall.

The Wishing Wall is displayed in-store at Gap UAE, at Mercato Mall, Dubai Festival City, and Dalma Mall; Gap Qatar, Landmark Mall; and Gap Kuwait, 360 Mall.

Naelofar launches Raya collections, releases video

Naelofar Hijab has just released the Duchess (RM83) and Stella (RM99) hijab collections.
Duchess, launched first, is a semi-instant loop-type hijab made of heavy chiffon that has a triangular Swarovski crystal hotfix embellishment.

Named 'Stella', Latin for 'star' because of the crystal and hotfix Swarovski pearl cluster on the hijab, Stella is a semi-instant garment loop-type that is made of Korean chiffon. Crystal pearls by Swarovski have a crystal core and are both washable as well as anti-scratch.

Two more collections, named Camellia and Sonia, are yet to come.

The Neelofa perfume (RM55) was launched at the same time. The scent begins with sweet top notes that after transforms into strawberry and blackberry in an hour, with hints of musk, rose and floral tones. The perfume will last more than five hours, according to the company.

 

The company has also uploaded its Raya campaign for 2016 onto YouTube. The video, titled Allah Lebih Tahu (Allah knows), has gratitude and faith as its theme. Zalora Malaysia has additionally created a holiday video for Naelofar.

Naelofar Hijab was founded by Neelofa and her partners, who decided to revolutionise and simplify modest fashion with an 'instant' shawl. There are more than 100 stockists in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. Neelofa currently has two other labels - Nalelofar Abaya and Lofalens, fashionable contact lenses.

Two collection of #naelofaraya2016 has been launched, so what's next ya?🤔😍#duchessbyNH #stellabyNH #nhraya2016 #naelofarhijab #ilovenaelofarhijab #nhauthorizedstockist

A photo posted by Naelofar Hijab Official ( HQ ) (@naelofarhijab) on Jun 2, 2016 at 5:51am PDT

Interested?

View the associated video (Malay) and Zalora's Lebaran Bersama Naelofar 2016 video

Watch how to wear a Naelofar hijab in 1 minute

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about Zalora's Hari Raya Boutique this year

Hashtags: #naelofaraya2016, #duchessbyNH, #stellabyNH, #nhraya2016, #naelofarhijab, #ilovenaelofarhijab, #rayaperfume #neelofaperfume

SHUKR introduces summer collection

SHUKR Islamic Clothing, a producer of modest and Islamic clothing for Muslims, has recently announced its summer collection, which displays the beauty of Islam in different seasons.

Source: SHUKR International edition website. Summer dresses.

SHUKR serves people of all religions who find that their faith encourages them to dress modestly, without having to sacrifice style and beauty. Over the years, the brand has attracted a loyal customer base of people searching for long sleeved shirts, long dresses, abayas, skirts and wide leg jeans—which can be difficult to find in mainstream clothing stores. "We’re very proud to be an Islamic clothing provider, and it is our hope that our customers will be proud to be dressed Islamically as well,” said Anas Sillwood, Managing Partner of SHUKR. 

In addition to a summer collection, SHUKR also provides different collections throughout the year – spring, fall, winter and Ramadan/Eid (holiday) included. Said Sillwood: "It’s a perfect way to help distinguish ourselves from competition and brand ourselves as a religious Islamic brand with a contemporary, relevant, and sophisticated air.”

Interested?

SHUKR's e-commerce store serves its customers through its three regional websites, for the US, UK, and the rest of the world (international). The Summer/Eid catalogue can be requested through the home page

Halal 2016 offers wide range of halal goods and services

The Halal 2016: incorporating Food & Lifestyle exhibition in Singapore, held from 24 to 27 March 2016 at Singapore Expo, featured a great deal of food-related enterprises, but also lifestyle and event-related enterprises focused on the halal economy.

Organised by MegaXpress International, the event promised to be the "biggest halal event ever organised under one roof", showcasing the latest in the market, from frozen foods, canned products, cuisines from around the world, desserts, health supplements, kitchenware, dairy products, fresh produce, and local favourites among others.

In a sense it was similar to the Geylang Serai night market during Ramadhan, but much more manageable and with a great deal more variety when it came to food and other products.

The event started off crowded over the weekend and became steadily more crowded as the day went by.

A selection of the booths are featured below:

A number of food-related businesses were clearly there for exposure, offering a taste of the wares and brochures for catering services, or just to drum up awareness of their outlets.

Opah Satay is a caterer, available for events. The standard package includes 1,000 sticks each of beef, mutton and chicken satay, as well as the rice, cucumber, and onion. Gravy, paper, tissue, are also provided, together with a pop-up cart and satay chef. Call +65 6742 8483 for reservations.

Opah Satay's takeaway containers featured plastic handles.

Food vendors were there for extra exposure. Chulop by the Syarifs makes churros. Hashtag: #chulopsg.

Watsub offers beef and chicken subs. 

Olivye Cafe is offering gelato for banquets and parties. Its menu is divided into classic and premium flavours. Small and medium sized cups of gelato are available, with a small fee for dry ice and delivery for orders of under 100 cups. The gelato is also available by the pan in 3l or 5l volumes, together with freezer rental, setup and delivery charges. A minimum order of four pans, one flavour per pan, applies.

Thai to go at Guillemard Road offers dine-in, takeaways and deliveries in Singapore. The menu is extensive and includes lunch box sets ranging from S$9.90 to S$12.90. Lunch box A at S$12.90, offers a choice of peppery beef or chicken, as well as two spring rolls, green mango salad, stir fried glass noodles, and steamed sweet tapioca with coconut cream.

Coyoro, short for 'cool yoghurt roll' makes pan-fried ice cream rolls as well as soft-serve ice cream and yoghurt. The flavours include PapaO!, papaya and honey oats; LitchiCitrus, a mix of lychee and tangerine, and attap with corn. It has three outlets, in Bugis Street, at East Village in Upper Changi and at Sun Plaza in Sembawang.  

Nigel Herbs is introducing pulled (flaked) salmon, a food ingredient which will retail at the chilled food sections at supermarkets. The Norwegian salmon is available smoked or salted and smoked. The company sells a variety of foods online, including cookies, confectionery, coffee, and tea.

Spicy sauces and snacks galore. Sikom sambal kicap at the top left is based in Muar, Malaysia and quite spicy.

Al-Sunnah Health Food & Products sells dried figs, dates, and olive oil among other foods.

On the food ingredient front, Bakers Farm, a halal bakery ingredients supplier, was looking for distributors.

Foods and other products which promote health were there in abundance. Enertime eggless apricot butter cookies (background), 3 in 1 coffee made with arabica and robusta beans (middle), and Enerbest, a soy powder mixed with barley that can be used as a meal replacement (foreground). 

OJ honeys from Dabzee Singapore are from Pakistan or Thailand. The Pakistani blends include acacia with habb e sauda (black seed, or kalonji), and an acacia with garlic flavour.

Isagenix is a membership-only brand that offers health supplements, including energy drinks and meal replacements. Many contain raspberry and pomegranate. WME, for instance, at the bottom left, is an energy and recovery drink that contains vitamins A, C and the B complex in addition to electrolytes. E+, next to WME, is an energy drink that contains green tea and yerba mate, and does not contain artificial colours or flavours.  Snacks! in the middle contain whey protein, fats and carbohydrates to help curb appetite.

Other neutraceuticals included Sultan Drinks' power drinks and colas, which include black seeds (nigella sativa). According to literature from the Austrian company, every 250ml can of cola contains an average of 10g of content from black seeds. Besides Sultan Cola Classic, the company has Sultan Cola De-Light, made with stevia, and Sultan Power Drink, which includes black seed, ginger, honey, royal jelly, mint, lemon, stevia and naturally extracted caffeine.

This booth, named The Perfume Factory, offered to create personalised fragrances from an array of essential oils in glass bottles.

Wardah Cosmetics is one of the major halal cosmetics providers worldwide. In Singapore, Wardah products are available at Jannah Muslimah Salon in Tristar Complex, Geylang and at D'Fatiin at Wisma Indah, Changi. There are also agents in Seng Kang, Punggol, Bedok and Woodlands. 

Dyara Solutions makes a vanishing cream containing aloe vera, pomegranate and seaweed which promises to improve skin blemishes. Tubes of the cream were on sale at the event for S$20, and for RM20 on Facebook. The company's website does not work. Hashtag: ‪#‎dyarasolutions‬.

Other companies at the event include fashion firms such as Malaysia's Naelofar Hijab, which is known for its instant shawls or hijabs, available in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, and Ebben Singapore, which also has instant hijab variants.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post introducing Halal 2016: incorporating Food & Lifestyle
Browse the Suroor Asia posts about black seeds (see footnotes), the Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar in 2015 and what Wardah Cosmetics recently launched

Hashtags: #‎megaxpress2016‬, ‪#‎halal2016‬, #sghalal

Al Sunnah Health Foods & Products in Ang Mo Kio sells these soft figs which are kinda addictive

A photo posted by J Tang (@shimmertje) on Mar 26, 2016 at 2:42am PDT

posted from Bloggeroid

Islamic art, fashion make waves in global economy

Islamic art and fashion are growing quickly within the Islamic economy. In 2014, the Islamic, or modest, fashion sector expenditure reached US$230 billion, constituting 11% of the global fashion market. It is projected to grow a further 6% to reach US$327 billion by 2020, according to the upcoming State of the Global Islamic Economy report, to be published in conjunction with the Global Islamic Economy Summit (GIES) taking place in Dubai this October.

Art and culture are important components of the Islamic economy, and while Islamic art has always been a mainstay of museums around the world, it has increasingly gained importance as an investment. Initiatives across the GCC region, and especially in Qatar and the UAE, have turned a spotlight onto Islamic art that retains a focus on traditional religious works, while also introducing audiences to more contemporary offerings. As part of the drive within the GCC to create a more vibrant cultural profile, innovative spaces such the Mathaf in Qatar and the Guggenheim and Louvre in Abu Dhabi, as well as contemporary galleries in Dubai, are all encouraging investment in Islamic art and helping it go mainstream.

Islamic fashion is another fast-growing market and an integral pillar of the Islamic economy. Contrary to the rest of the fashion industry, which is facing financial pressures as a result of global recession, it continues to expand. Initially catering to the inherent modesty of the Muslim world, Islamic fashion is generating demand from other regions and cultures where modesty is a priority, as well as attracting attention from major mainstream fashion players.

Said a representative from Sefamerve, a leading modest fashion retailer based in Turkey with a representative in Malaysia: "While global brands that focus on modest fashion have been catering to Muslim sensibilities for years, they must also keep in mind a fast-growing conservative customer base that is also interested in modest fashion. These two complementary groups can help elevate these brands into key players in the fashion industry."

Paolo Costanzo, Chairman of Infinita Group, which represents Italian design, said: "Being part of the of the Global Islamic Economy Summit gives us the opportunity to enter the modest fashion market, a sector we believe has great potential, and one we are confident that we can support globally through our network of key players in the Italian fashion market.'

Kerim Türe, Founder and CEO of Modanisa.com, ranked the top Islamic fashion site globally, said: "Social media and the Internet are the driving factors behind the transition of Islamic fashion into the global mainstream. Women worldwide are looking for the latest trends in elegant and conservative style, in line with Islamic culture. Serving them through a one-stop shop that provides variety, quality, and excellent service is the key to success in this rapidly developing modest fashion market."

Alia Khan, Chairwoman of the New York-based Islamic Fashion and Design Council, said "People are intrigued by the Islamic fashion industry, and rightly so; there is much more to it than meets the eye. It has tremendous potential to lead and can set a wonderful example for the mainstream fashion industry, offering powerful solutions that will revolutionise fashion - while maintaining its dignity, elegance, and class."

Islamic art and fashion will both feature in the Global Islamic Economy Summit with dedicated sessions on the second day to foster discussion around these pillars of the Islamic economy. Khan will chair a moderated panel on modest fashion, with panellists including prominent players in the fashion industry from Turkey, Indonesia, Kuwait and the UK. The session on Islamic art will be chaired by Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Founder of Barjeel Art and includes panellists from Christies, the Jameel Foundation, Qatar Museums and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

GIES 2015, which is taking place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will discuss Islamic finance as part of its remit. Featuring more than 60 international speakers across 15 sessions, the summit will offer comprehensive insights on the seven core pillars of the Islamic economy: Islamic finance, halal Industry, Family tourism, Islamic Knowledge, Islamic Arts and design, Islamic digital Economy, and Islamic standards.

One of the morning sessions at GIES 2015 will discuss the importance and relevance of the Islamic economy to Islamic finance, featuring a debate by Tirad Al Mahmoud, Jamal Bin Ghalaita and Dr Adnan Chilwan, the respective CEOs of the Islamic banks ADIB, Emirates Islamic and Dubai Islamic Bank. 

The CEO debate will be followed by a session covering how Islamic financial institutions have moved from niche to mainstream. The session will also discuss whether Islamic financial institutions can meet the needs of people who are financially excluded solely for religious reasons, and whether Islamic finance can act as a financial inclusion mechanism for non-Muslims.

Interested?

The GIES 2015 summit, organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the DIEDC and Thomson Reuters, gathers over 2,000 policymakers, thinkers and business leaders on 5 and 6 October 2015 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE. Register here

Read the Suroor Asia blog post on GIES 2015 

Read the Suroor Asia blog post on trends identified to date by the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2015-2016

Read the Suroor Asia blog post on Islamic finance trends from the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report

Hashtag: #2015GIES

Babyshop introduces Ramadan Collection 2015

Source: Babyshop eDM.

Babyshop's Ramadan Collection 2015 is now in the stores, with the theme of 'warm colours'. The store, which offers clothing toys and furniture for children from newborns to teens of 16, also caters to mothers and moms-to-be. Babyshop carries brands like Disney, Ferrari and Fisher Price, and also has two in-house brands, Juniors and Giggles.

Interested? Babyshop stores can be found in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, KSA, Kuwait, Jordan, Pakistan, Lebanon and Yemen among other countries.

Explore the collection

OOH!'s Raya 2015 collection is sophisticated, fun and family-oriented

Source: OOH! website. Models are wearing outfits from 
the Kebaya Aviana family.

View the Raya 2015 collection from traditional ready-to-wear label OOH! online, catering to the contemporary local woman who is modern and worldly, yet possesses a touch of tradition and practical sensibility.

Crisp and sharp colours, graphic prints, and playful sophistication are the hallmarks of this three-year-old brand. The line features a mix of contemporary designs using fun pastel hues with traditional cuts and their signature intricate beading. All are original designs by the co-founders, Dr Wan Puspa Melati, Dawn Jeremiah and Joanne Ho-Lee, who believe that traditional ethnic wear has always been part of the Malaysian culture – worn not just by Malay women, but also among the Chinese, Indians, Punjabis and Eurasians as well, during special occasions, at work and at play.

The fabrics, materials and embellishments used are sourced locally and all over the region. The pieces are then designed in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and handcrafted both locally and around Southeast Asia. Each piece by the brand is sewn and beaded by traditional home tailors who are exceptional at their craft. OOH! is happy to play its part in providing part-time employment to these talented individuals, most of whom are single mothers or persons from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds.

There are seven designs in this year's Ramadan collection: three mother-daughter baju kurungs, two mother-daughter kebayas, and two adult baju kurungs:

OOH! Kurung – contemporary 

Prices for items in this range start from S$43.

Source: OOH! Baju Kurung Ava.

Baju Kurung Ava

Crafted out of pale pink and purple satin silk, this piece has embellishments and silver beading at the collar, cuffs and hem.

Baju Kurung Modern Juliana

Baju Kurung Modern Juliana possesses the classic silhouette, with vivid colours for a touch of modern. The top is hand-crafted from embossed cotton, while the turquoise skirt bottom opens up in the front. 

OOH! Kurung – mother and daughter designs
For mothers who want something cute and stylish that they can wear with their little girls, three designs from the baju kurung modern line come with matching outfits for little ones. Toddlers aged two to six who want to be just like mummy can now look just like her with these matching sets:

Baju Kurung Mikaela

Featuring waffle-weave fabric with the brand’s signature dual-button front, the cream top is embellished with heavy beading on the collar, cuffs and hem. The figure-flattering mermaid skirt is also crafted out of the same fabric in cotton candy pink.

Baju Kurung Bree

Source: OOH! Baju Kurung Bree.

Staying true to the label's outlook on embellished baju kurungs using rich and vibrant colour combinations, this vermilion piece is of cotton crepe with distinct geometric patterns, plus gun metal embellishments on the collar, cuffs and hem. The charcoal grey skirt that accentuates the figure with a fishtail effect.

Baju Kurung Soraya

Baju Kurung Soraya is made of textured cotton in baby pink, with hand-beaded iridescent details on the collar, cuffs and hem. It comes with a baby blue textured cotton skirt which opens up in the front.

Prices for the adult and kids’ pieces are S$108 and S$58 respectively.

OOH! Kebaya – mother and daughter designs 
The label has brought back the popular premium Balinese kebaya design. These are made of authentic Balinese lace and printed in soft and flowy batik. OOH! has created matching sets for mothers with little girls aged two to eight.

Source: OOH! Above: Kebaya
Zariah. Below: Instant white
hijab lily.

The signature kebaya top design has three-quarter sleeves, invisible hook fasteners, as well as full lining and zips for the flowy cotton sateen batik skirt. Prices for items in the entire collection range from S$58 for the girls' pieces to S$130 for the adult wear.

OOH! Hijab
Crafted out of comfortable lycra and cotton, these S$17 instant shawls are cooling, lightweight and feminine, with trinkets at the corners to weigh the ends down.

OOH! Jubah
The Hari Raya collection also includes lycra jubahs that are contemporary yet discreet. Heavily beaded around the neckline, these dresses come in six colours. Prices range from S$33 to S$40.

Interested?

View OOH’s complete range of products

Zero in on OOH! kurung – contemporary

Explore the OOH! kebaya – mother and daughter designs, and the OOH! kurung – mother and daughter designs

Check out the OOH! jubah and the OOH! hijab

Flow Clothing features Ramadan Collection online

Flow Clothing, which focuses on fashion apparel that embraces curvy women, has included a Ramadan collection online which features embellished tunics, ethnic prints, long skirts and fitted pants.

A three-quarter sleeved ethnic printed maxi dress in the collection, for instance, comes in sizes US12 to US18. The satin piece has a classic 'V' neckline and a tapered sleeve hem. The dress hemline is slightly flared out for easy movement. S$84.30.

The brand also has a Ramadhan exclusive, a RM50 voucher free for every spend of RM299 from 3 to 19 July 2015. Terms and conditions apply.
Interested?

View the Ramadan Collection online

CH Carolina Herrera releases FW 2015 collections

CH, a Carolina Herrera brand, has released Fall/Winter 2015 collections for both men and women. The Women’s Collection features reds, sky blues, and fuchsias which add a touch of color, while white and ivory contrast against a darker colour palette.

Evening looks figure in fine silks, lace and jacquard for ultimate femininity, with CH Carolina Herrera's signature details such as bows and ruffling.

The Men’s Collection sees navy blue, grey, and camel dominate, juxtaposed against pops of hunter green and bright blue. Tartan plaids and polka dots evoke a sense of playfulness while a nautical influence appears in striped tops and navy coats featuring gold buttons engraved with anchor motifs.

*Images from CH, Carolina Herrera.

First Islamic Finance and Muslim Lifestyle Sectors Convergence Training Programme launched

BIBF and DinarStandard have introduced the world’s First Islamic Finance and Muslim Lifestyle Sectors Convergence Training Programme. DinarStandard is a US-based growth strategy research and advisory firm with core experiences in halal economy sectors.

The burgeoning halal food and Muslim lifestyle sectors were estimated to be worth US$2 trillion in 2013, and are expected to reach US$2.47 trillion by 2018, based on the State of the Global Islamic Economy 2014 report, produced by Thomson Reuters in collaboration with DinarStandard. This represents a huge opportunity for Islamic finance, which has been for the most part untapped.

“Bahrain is well positioned to leverage its positioning as a regional financial hub with a well-developed banking sector and a growing Islamic finance industry to create an impact in the halal economy sectors; especially given that it has a well-diversified economy that does not heavily rely on the oil and gas sector. Finance, tourism and industrial manufacturing play a strong role in its economy. With growing competitiveness from the region, a key growth opportunity for its already robust Islamic finance sector, is the emerging global Halal economy space”, said BIBF Director Solveig Nicklos.

The Convergence of Halal Market Economy and Islamic Capital training course is a managerial level course tailored for Islamic finance and takaful executives and managers and lifestyle sector executives, managers and students. The course will give participants a summary of the halal market opportunity and focus on specific areas of financing/ takaful needs and gaps by the key halal economy sectors of food, pharma, personal care, travel and fashion. Specific focus will be on the halal food value chain opportunities. The course covers the six-core halal economy sectors beyond Islamic finance. These sectors covered include halal food, family tourism, clothing/fashion, media/recreation, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, and outlines their geographic and market potential profile.

The Convergence of Halal Market Economy and Islamic Capital course is scheduled for 7 and 8 June and will be held at BIBF premises.

Zalora's Zalia collection is available for Eid preorders

Zalora has refreshed its Zalia brand of quality ethnic wear in anticipation of Hari Raya (Eid, which falls on or near 17 July 2015), and is taking pre-orders now. The online fashion marketplace says there are over 150 new styles, and will deliver pre-orders by May 29.

Source: Zalora website.

Zalora's Hari Raya offerings include house brand Zalia as well as new items from Jovian Mandagie, Melinda Looi and Rizal Man. View the Zalora Hari Raya collection here.

Zolace aims to attract more Muslimah shoppers with website revamp

Malaysia's Zolace, an online boutique for Muslimah women, launched a new website late last year. The company aims to become the biggest online shopping website that sells female Muslim apparel and one of the major online retailers in Malaysia and Singapore, and offers free shipping with no minimum order requirement to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. 

Source: Zolace website.

According to Zolace’s website, the company specialises in a number of popular items for Muslimah women, including accessories such as bags, jewellery, and shoes, as well as clothing from dresses to pants. Zolace’s list of bestselling items includes pieces such as baju kurung, tudung bawal, shawl, blouses, maxi dresses, long skirts, sling bags, tote bags, necklaces, and sexy lingerie. 

The company’s products aim for comfort, affordability and style—three qualities that are important to any Muslimah woman interested in keeping up with the latest trends, it says.

The company welcomes international shoppers, charging a flat express shipping fee outside of Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei as well as free shipping worldwide if the order is above US$100.

“I bought this dress Muslimah because I wanted something of a classical cut that could work in pretty much any situation,” said Miey Nabilah from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who purchased a black 'Elyana Dress Muslimah'. 

“The Elyana dress is good quality, and the fabric allows me to wear it in humid weather, which we all know is a really important quality for clothes we wear in this climate. I also find it very easy to pair with any tudung I want to wear, probably because of its colour and cut.”

Patricia Rox brings its handcrafted luxury womenswear and accessories to Asia

Patricia Rox, the luxury womenswear brand that debuted in Europe in 2013, has set foot in Asia through the official launch of its brand and its Spring/Summer 2015 The  Fantasy Capsule in Singapore.

The luxury womenswear company creates globally inspired, traditionally handcrafted pieces. With exotic, intricate prints and bright, bold colours at the forefront of its designs, Patricia Rox brings one-of-a-kind ready-to-wear and accessories to discerning, sophisticated women. 

The latest Spring/Summer The Fantasy Capsule of silk dresses with floral-inspired prints; vibrant, circus-inspired scarves; as well as buffalo horn and enamel jewellery transports the Patricia Rox woman back to her whimsical childhood fantasies. The collection is luxurious yet effortlessly chic, and is versatile enough for a resort, travelling or attending a soiree. 

Patricia Rox is the brainchild of fashion lawyer Patricia Haywood. Gathering inspiration from her love of travel, Patricia has created a brand that brings together traditional techniques and modern ideas to create unique, handmade pieces, and a brand with a mission to make well-crafted pieces available to women everywhere. 

"At Patricia Rox, we go to great lengths to bring women unique and well-made clothing and accessories. Our vision is to bring together some of the most creative people from different regions to create something special, and to make the art of traditional craftsmanship accessible to women worldwide," says Haywood, Founder and Creative Director, Patricia Rox. 

Every piece of ready-to-wear, jewellery and scarf is handcrafted by skilled and passionate craftspeople. Patricia Rox works with artisans who are the best at their craft and who are skilled at preserving the integrity of the materials used in each piece created. 

Each print is painstakingly hand-drawn by one artist, with some prints taking 200-300 hours to complete. These one-of-a-kind prints are viewed as works of art. This traditional technique translates to smaller runs and limited editions of each design and ensures that each and every piece will be unique and exquisitely crafted. 

With a mission to find the best natural materials like silk, cotton, linen, horn, enamel and pearl from around the world to create unique pieces that are just as unique as the Patricia Rox woman, all materials are ethically and sustainably sourced from only the best suppliers from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. 

Currently, the collection of Patricia Rox scarves is available online at www.gnossem.com, a Singapore based online shopping site for unique and quality fashion from top, independent designers. Outside of Singapore, Patricia Rox is available in Asia at Aman Resorts in Bali, and www.shopzaozao.com in Hong Kong. 

An e-commerce site and physical flagship store are in the works.

*All images from Patricia Rox.

Mastercard partners Muslim lifestyle marketplace Zilzar

MasterCard has partnered with Zilzar.com, billed as the world’s first global Muslim lifestyle marketplace platform. Zilzar.com provides information and content for users, sellers, buyers, and halal certification bodies, engaging them across sectors of Islamic finance, food, travel, logistics, cosmetics and fashion, among others.

Source: Zilzar website.

The launch of Zilzar.com was officiated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak at the 10th World Islamic Economic Forum in Dubai in late October. 

“The Muslim lifestyle market has shown tremendous growth and has huge potential. MasterCard is delighted to be able to partner with Zilzar to deliver seamless payment services for this impressive best-of-breed platform that has been specifically designed to cater to the needs of this dynamic US$2.5 trillion segment. This collaboration truly is an important one for us as it underscores our commitment to ensure payments are safe, smart and secured at all times,” said Safdar Khan, Group Country Manager, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, and Group Head, Islamic Payments, Southeast Asia, MasterCard.

“Zilzar will meet the needs of all parties by providing a more centralised and accessible online hub, a one-stop shop where products can be marketed globally, safely and ethically. The world is looking for the next BRICS story, growth market with growth demographics, and Zilzar is the e-vehicle for the halal super-highway for empowering micro-SMEs, SMEs, and export ready SMEs into these new markets for growth,” said Rushdi Siddiqui, Chief Executive Officer of Zilzar.

Zilzar’s technology platform has been built using the most contemporary technology and usability standards like flat design and responsive layouts. Much like leading social networks, the buyers and sellers can follow each other and never miss a deal, making it the world’s first trading social network. The collaboration will see MasterCard offering its expertise in payment technology to support Zilzar.com’s infrastructure and provide a safe, secure and scalable payments capability which can grow with the marketplace as consumer and business needs for halal trade and commercial information evolve. 

Equipped with the latest security tools, the payments infrastructure set up for Zilzar.com is designed to enable merchants and consumers to perform secure transactions with ease and convenience. It will also provide sellers with free digital store-fronts, basically an e-souq. 

Imaanwear get on Kickstarter to offer tees at pre-launch prices

New York-based Imaanwear wants to launch  high-quality, modern, fresh apparel, made of ring-spun, fine jersey cotton. 

Source: Kickstarter.

The t-shirts on show have slogans like 'surely with hardship comes ease' and 'sky seven' in original designs. "Modern Islamic apparel simply doesn't exist. Existing 'companies' sell t-shirts with images printed on low-quality fabric for expensive price tags. We don't follow to that beat," say the company on the Kickstarter page.  

US$20 gets backers a free shirt of your choice from the website, while a customised shirt is available for US$30. 

View the associated video here. The company says it will launch in mid-August, and the Kickstarter campaign ends on August 22.

Zalora's Hari Raya Collection features four brands

Online retailer Zalora has a dedicated page for ladies' Hari Raya (Eid) 2014 fashion at http://www.zalora.sg/hari-raya/. 

Featured brands include Zalia for ethnic wear, emel by Melinda Looi, Rizalman for Zalora and Jovan Mandagie for Zalora. The styles include caftans, maxi dresses and tops with lace and peplum embellishment, while accessories include clutch bags and shoes. Black seems to be the dominant colour.

Source: Zalora website.

Shipping is free for purchases above S$40.