Words By – Yemisi Suleiman
In this age of nudity and extreme fashion, there are some designers who have chosen to tow the path of modest fashion, albeit in a more contemporary way. These designers are driving the revolution, and have catapulted demure dressing trends globally.
There is no exact and unambiguous definition of modest fashion, as women all over the world, have different ideas depending on their culture, religion, and personal preferences. However, what makes clothing modest are usually, higher necklines, longer sleeves, and looser fits made from solid fabrics and textiles. Modest fashion has found its footing in the country’s fashion scene, thanks to brands like Modesty Signature, Hudaaya, Abaya Lagos amongst others.
These designers over the years, have continued to bust the myth that dressing modestly is synonymous with dull, uninspired, and monotonous clothing.
For these designers modest fashion is all about grace, confidence, and above all, comfort.
Meet some of the designers who have helped shape the modest fashion industry into such a significant sector, with their unique creations and design sense.
Trish Onumonu – Trish O Couture
Trish Onumonu is the brain behind Trish O Couture, a brand known for her femininity, extravagant and bold designs, bright colours, unique fabric combinations, and detailed embellishments. The Philosophy graduate of the University of Lagos, honed her designing skills as a teenager, under the tutelage of her mother who was a fashion designer.
Her brand has evolved over the years with a number of top government officials, and celebrities on her clientele list, as well as a number of awards for her creativity.
An advocate of modest dressing, Trish O couture designs she says, speak of feminine form and beauty, and high fashion with an African feel.
I love clothes that speak of feminine class, beauty and elegance, and are not revealing. If an outfit does not have any of these listed qualities, I simply avoid them.
Yvonne Bozimo-Umah – Sista by Eyoro
Abuja-based womens wear fashion brand, Sista by Eyoro is a revolutionary fashion brand owned by Yvonne Bozimo-Umah.This brand has taken the Ladies wear industry by storm with its subtle innovative designs and empowering ethos. Combining style, comfort, and a message of self-confidence, Sista by Eyoro is redefining what it means to be comfortably fashionable in the modern world. The brand has been a consistent part of the Africa Fashion Week London over the years, promoting Africas cultural heritage on the global stage through her afrocentric designs.
Salihat Rahaman – Abaya Lagos
Salihat Rahaman is the Founder and Creative Director of Abaya Lagos, a traditional modest clothing brand for women of taste. She is an Architect who is very passionate about creativity and all things design, which reflects in her bespoke designs and fabulous pieces.
Abaya Lagos which started out as an experiment, to see how well she could blend comfort and modest wear has grown into a strong brand.
It was a lifestyle I was beginning to truly admire, especially because the nature of my profession (architecture) dictates for me to be on the go most of the time, with little or no room for frills when it comes to getting dressed. People liked what I came out with, and the rest as they say, is history.
Her designs are mostly influenced by her Muslim customs and traditions.
To her, dressing modestly doesnt translate automatically to being plain or wearing poor quality. The importance to us is that you are comfortably protected against the elements and you feel good, elevated and valuable in your clothing without exposing uncomfortable amounts of skin. If you feel all of these things when you step out, you tend to give off that energy and will be treated as such.
Huddaya Fadoul Abacha – Hudayya Woman
Huddaya Fadoul Abacha is the Founder and CEO of Huddaya Woman, a fashion brand focused on exploring contemporary African fashion through modest styles and designs.
Though Huddaya studied Biology at the University of Abuja, she has always had a great passion for fashion. A self-taught fashion designer, she had left her lucrative job at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, Abuja, to start her fashion business in 2012.
Her company boasts of high profile clients that include former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, Buharis daughter Zahra, Nollywood star Genieve Nnaji amongst others.
On her choice of fashion direction she says,
Huddaya categorizes herself as a contemporary modest fashion designer who towed the modest fashion path due to her heritage and faith as a Northern Nigerian Arab designer.
I doubt I will deviate from the modest modern path I have chosen to pursue when it comes to my designs. Also, there are enough brands out there that cater to mainstream sexy and risqué. she revealed while granting an interview to a major newspaper years back.
Hassannah Salami – Modesty Signature
Hassannah Salami is an engineering graduate of the University of Ibadan. She also holds an MBA from Lincoln University, California. The dynamic and solution-driven engineer, established Modesty Signature in 2016 with the aim of encouraging women to dress modestly as a side hustle.
She is an award-winning Energy Professional who, currently serves as the Deputy Manager, Well Completions- a leading oil and gas company.
The brand strives to offer high quality and stylish modest outfits to match the lifestyle of the ambitious and hardworking women of today, regardless of their colour and faith.
For Hassannah adopting modest fashion is much more than being a Muslim. It is not something that belongs to one particular group of people, it is open to anyone. It is a style that resonates with a lot of people, regardless of religious or cultural background. Modest fashion means something different for everyone. I believe modest fashion has unintentionally become a modern day fashion trend in its own right.