Ramadan Mubarak from SHUKR!

This is one of our busiest times of year here, and one of our favorite! This year we have a stunning Ramadan/Eid Collection, and I wanted to highlight my top 10 picks from this collection (in no particular order).

My favorite piece this year is the Gia Lai Dress (US, UK, Canada). Tabassum outdid herself on this one. Basically, I’m obsessed with it. It is two pieces: an inner dress and an outer gown. The inner dress is this nice mandarin collared number, but it’s the outer gown that kills me. It just has such great flow. It’s simple, elegant, and I’ve never seen anything like it.

My second favorite is the Mussaret Dress (US, UK, Canada). This is another wonderful two-piece combination, except the inner dress is simpler than the Gia Lai, and the outer gown is more complex due to the embroidery. This one is a hair’s breath from a traditional abaya, but has this classy elegance that I’m becoming so fond of.

Third on my list is the Cowl Neck Abaya (US, UK, Canada). It’s just timeless. Such a nice sense of dignity, modesty and grace, it reminds me of some amazing women who have shaped my life. You know who you are.

Fourth is the Embroidered Drawstring Skirt (US, UK, Canada). I’m normally not a big skirt person, but this one is amazing. The gold embroidery in that interlaced pattern strikes the difficult balance of being both fancy and understated. I could match this with almost anything in my wardrobe and instantaneously take my outfit up a notch.

Fifth is the Dotted Swirl Tunic (US, UK, Canada). It’s just such an unusual addition to the SHUKR collection that it stands in a class by itself. Made from chiffon, it also has a very good flow.

Sixth is the Contrast Duster (US, UK, Canada). I love garments that are simple and practical, but also have some flair. On this piece, it is the cuffs that give it that extra push. And, it’s a great garment to wear to the office.

Not to neglect the men, the seventh is the Hussein Galabiyya (US, UK, Canada). Seriously, this is what a modern galabiyya looks like. Sharp, easy to care for, and lightweight.

Number eight is the Azhar Jubba (US, UK, Canada). A modified remake of the Damascan Jubba (US), it has a slimmer fit, wider sleeves and loses the shoulder pads. I could definitely see Keanu Reeves in this.

Ninth on my list is the Kalima Tencel Denim Trousers (US, UK, Canada). Nothing is more comfortable than these are. Never heard of Tencel? Made from wood pulp, this natural fiber combines softness, strength, and durability, is easy to care for, wrinkle-resistant, and breathes really well. If you’ve been looking for that perfect (yet modest) pair of jeans, you’re not going to come closer than these.

Last but not least are the Hasan Trousers (US, UK, Canada). Comfortable and casual, these might be the perfect pants to wear while you are fasting. They are loose, soft and have big pockets. I’m not sure about the connection between pockets and fasting, but given the choice between pockets and no pockets, I’d choose the pockets every time.

Feel free to comment letting us know what your favorite garments are (from any collection), so in the future, we can have a customer-based top ten list. We’d love to hear from you.

~ Beth, Blog Admin

SHUKR is happy to welcome our first guest blogger, Jana, from Hijab Style–the UK’s first style guide for Muslim Women! We love her blog and are very pleased to have her present three amazing outfits she has created!

This outfit is great for a day spent outside in the sun. A pair of jeans are a wardrobe staple – wear them with this stylish Karima top in Zinfandel. Add a complimentary hijab, duffle bag and comfortable flats to keep you going all day long. And of course – don’t forget the sunnies!

Modal Karima Top £32.95, SHUKR (US, UK)

Dual Waistband Jeans £34.95, SHUKR (US, UK)
Geometrical Flower Jacquard Wrap £9.95, SHUKR (UK)
Cream buckle duffle bag £20, Dorothy Perkins
Oversize Aviators £15, Topshop
Pink frill pumps £20, Dorothy Perkins

Neutrals are always a key trend for spring, and this beautiful Aghabani blouse fits the bill perfectly. Just add a simple skirt and hijab in buttercream, and keep jewellery to a minimum for a classy, polished look.

Aghabani Embroidered Blouse £34.95, SHUKR (US, UK)
Twill Cotton A-Line Skirt £28.95, SHUKR (UK)
Crinkled Wrap £9.95, SHUKR (US, UK)
Gold coloured moc croc enamel hinge bangle £10, Debenhams
Tan Majorette pocket shoulder bag £60, Debenhams
Dolly Cake Shoes £44.99, Clarks

Special occasions call for special outfits. This elegant dress in lilac is ideal for summer events. Add interest with an embroidered bag, wedge heels and delicate jewellery.

Faux Wrap Viscose Dress £44.95, SHUKR (US, UK)
Paisley Leaf Jacquard Wrap £7.95, SHUKR (US, UK)

Marcasite Ring £29.01, Treasure Box
Dakota Silver Disc Large Embroidered Bag £40, Accessorize
Lotus Leather Court Shoe £60, Barratts

For more wonderful outfits and fashion advice, visit http://hijabstyle.blogspot.com/.

~ Beth, Blog admin

We at SHUKR would like to extend a big congratulations to the winner of our YouTube Contest, EidFilms for their video, “Islamic Identity and Dress.”

We are grateful to all our participants and will be sending them coupons for 20% off their next purchase for all their hard work. If you haven’t yet, please check out all the entries at http://www.youtube.com/shukrislamicclothing.

Once upon a time, men were men, and they wore dresses.

Of course I’m being facetious. The very definition of the word, “dress” is that of a feminine garment. However, the concept of an ankle- or calf-length garment for men is by no means feminine. Historically, the early Arabs merely called it a qamees, or “shirt.” Later, distinctions were made between the currently more typical short shirt and the much longer variety. Despite the fact that men have been wearing these long garments for most of human history, there remain a number of Westerners who jokingly refer to my garment of choice as a “dress.”

Ironically, I am not the one wearing clothing of the opposite gender. Rather, it was Yves Saint-Laurent who popularized women’s trousers. Prior to him, standalone trousers were not worn by women. (The salwar kameez does not consist of standalone trousers, but rather, baggy trousers covered by a knee-length shirt, hardly comparable to Western trousers.) Given that YSL was a homosexual, it kind of makes sense that he’d want to improve women’s appearances by making them look more like men.

At SHUKR, our head designer is a woman. Furthermore, the men at SHUKR believe that women have a natural advantage in the appearance department, and don’t need to dress like men to look good. Take my word for it; I wear the dress around here.

(Above: Salim Galabiyya, US, UK)

~ Moustafa, Manager, Retail Division

Perhaps the most iconic aspect of SHUKR’s website presentation is the striking photography, taken against the backdrop of beautiful, traditional Damascene houses. These remnants of Ottoman splendor are priceless historical gems, testifying to the beauty of traditional Islamic architecture. SHUKR has been privileged to photograph its clothing collections in some of the most famous of these fairy-tale palaces and homes, including the Azem Palace, Maktab ‘Anbar and Bayt Nizam. We have also photographed in other atmospheric Islamic architectural masterpieces, such as the magnificent Umayyad Mosque, the dramatic Khan As’ad Pasha, the sumptuous Bait Shami restaurant, and the atmospheric old souks. This photograph of our Tunic Shirt, taken in the Azem Palace, was a winning shot during our Ramadan 2005 campaign:

The Azem palace was originally built in 1750 as a residence for the Ottoman governor of Damascus, As’ad Pasha al-‘Azem, and it currently functions as the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions. Here’s a shot our cameraman took with a minaret of the Ummayyad Mosque in the background. Who wouldn’t want to have the Umayyad Mosque as their local masjid?!

Maktab Anbar has some wonderfully intricate geometric wooden doors, which we love to photograph against. Here’s a favorite photo from Ramadan 2007:

Maktab Anbar, built in the mid-19th century, contains a mixture of traditional Islamic design themes, including, of course, the symbolic gardens, as well as European-influenced stonework.

Bayt Nizam, an 18th-century quaint Damascene house, has some wonderful stonework. Maybe this is what is engaging our male models in this photo? Probably not!

This mother-of-pearl engraved door from the Bayt Nizam has some thoughtful religious poetic lines, saying: 

“That which Allah wills, Is
And that which He does not will, is Not”

“Whoever trusts in Allah, Allah frees from need (from any besides Him)
And whoever depends upon Him, Allah suffices him”

 (Click on the image to enlarge it and read the Arabic engraving yourself)

A typical SHUKR photoshoot takes up the whole day, and we have a small team of enthusiastic models, assistants, a director and a cameraman. None of our models are professionals, but rather just naturally talented individuals we bumped into here and there. We normally have 3 female models on site, which gives us an opportunity to create some interesting group shots. Here’s a favorite from Ramadan 2007:

Judging by the amount of page views this next image received on our websites, this was our most popular image ever:

The photoshoots normally are an enjoyable experience, and probably the best one was when we rented out the Bait Shami restaurant to do some shots for Ramadan and Eid. This is a traditional Arab house recently converted into a restaurant, the best destination for Arab cuisine in Damascus:

The photoshoots are, however, also a lot of hard work. After a full day on one’s feet, rushing around trying to get everything done in time, it’s time to take a break!

We’d like to know what you, our customers, think about our pictures. Do you appreciate the traditional architectural backgrounds? What do you think about the style of photography? Is there enough product detail shown? We’d love to hear from you.

~Anas, Managing Partner

Every once in a while, there’s a garment that is just perfect; the Winter London Jubba (below) (US, UK) is one such item. If you’re a no-frills guy who wants one piece of outerwear, this is it. No matter whether you wear it over jeans and a t-shirt, a shirt and tie, or a galabiyya, you’re still going to look smart. How can you go wrong with a thin Italian wool blend that reaches the knee? In autumn, wear it over a shirt or galabiyya. In the depth of winter, layer yourself in a sweater or pullover underneath it. 

In terms of indoor clothing, the classic Hooded Moroccan Zaytuna Cloak (US, UK) is definitely one of our most popular items among young men. Event after event, year after year, men will come by and ask for it. The combination of hood and V-neck opening add breadth to the shoulders and chest: the look announces masculine dignity without immodesty. This winter, SHUKR has redone it as the Italian Wool Fez Cloak (below) (US, UK). Wear it plain for no-nonsense comfort. Keep it in the back seat of your car and slip it on before entering the masjid on Fridays. And for a bit more formality, wear a white galabiyya underneath; only the envious will dislike it.

~ Moustafa, Manager, Retail Division

“And if you were to count the blessings of Allah, you will never be able to count them.”

(Surah Ibrahim, 14:34)

Sayida A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked to recount one of the most amazing experiences she had in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace). She began to weep, and said, “Was there anything at all about him that was not a marvelous wonder? He came to me one night, and snuggled up beside me in my bed until his skin was touching my skin. But then he said: ‘O daughter of Abu Bakr, let me go, so that I may devote myself to the worship of my Lord.’”

She said, “So I told him, ‘I love your nearness, but I prefer to respect your dearest wish.’ I therefore allowed him (Allah bless him and give him peace) to take his leave of me. So he got up, found a skin container full of water, and performed his ritual ablution, pouring a considerable amount of water in the process. Then he stood erect, and started to perform the ritual prayer. He wept as he did so, until his tears were streaming down onto his chest. He made raka’at (bowing) and shed more tears. Then he prostrated himself, and again he wept. Then he raised his head, and wept still more. He went on like this (Allah bless him and give him peace) until Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived on the scene.”

“I then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what causes you to weep, when Allah has forgiven you your earlier and later sins?’ To this he replied, (Allah bless him and give him peace) :

‘Should I not be a thankful servant ['abd shakur]? Why should I not do it, since Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) has sent down to me the words of revelation:

Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, and the ship that runs upon the sea with that which is of use to human beings, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and the distribution of the winds, and the clouds set in orderly array between heaven and earth–surely there are signs for people who can understand. (Surah al Baqara, 2:164) ‘”