In August 2023, British Bengali designer, Saeedah Haque successfully collaborated with Nike to drop a brand-new revolutionary collection of modest streetwear. The collaborative collection – Nike by You x Saeedah Haque which dropped on 11 August 2023 – offers women a more trendy and cooler-looking abaya option whilst focusing on neglected matters such as representation and diversity when it comes to fashion. With many Muslim (and even non-Muslim) women looking for more options when it comes to modest wear, Haque’s new streetwear collection provides the perfect alternative to traditional abayas.
Hailing from North London, the British Bengali influencer and designer caught the attention of many around the world. For quite some time, Haque struggled to find the perfect modest wear option, especially one that would resonate with her style. To solve this problem, she began crafting her very own abaya. After interning at places like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and the first London Modest Fashion Week at the Saatchi Gallery, Haque picked up some useful tips to help her design her very own brand.
Haque has now become renowned for her cool-looking abayas which promotes the perfect balance between something traditional and the popular streetwear look. By adding fashionable and contemporary silhouettes and through using ethically sourced materials, she has designed the world’s first streetwear abaya label which prides itself on quality.
Working on her streetwear abayas for years, this new collaboration will pave the way for Muslim women to be proud of their modest wear. Even before this collaboration, Haque told Vogue in 2021, “Comfort is the greatest luxury and loungewear is the new power dressing. I love to disrupt the formal day dress and it is through challenging things that we can innovate. Comfort is a power unlike any other. I want us to wear that power and take it to the streets.”
Instead of reinventing the wheel, Haque took to social media to produce something extremely unique that will not only promote modesty but also the concept of comfort and streetwear aesthetics.
This profound collaboration between Haque and Nike rises above everything we already know about fashion and trends. Above all, it reminds us that fashion brands have the power to bridge the gap between different cultures, which helps in providing a voice to talented individuals and groups that may be underrepresented.
Follow Saeedah and her story here.
Juber Ahmed is our Digital Editor and travel enthusiast with a keen interest in Islamic history and heritage. He travels with his wife to various places around the world and writes about his experiences.
Juber's favourite Quote...
"The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" [Saint Augustine]
