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 has just completed a BSc in Economics from 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!
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.
Zahra&Zinah, formally ZNZ Abayas is my baby. My first business vision that alhamdulillah was brought to life in 2010 with the partnership of Zinah Nur Sharif. We have come a long way in the last year and are happy to be moving forward and planning bigger and better things. Check out our company blog and official website; ZAHRA&ZINAH, Follow the links to our facebook and twitter to keep up to date with our latest projects and events.
