This is your first collection for your father Bubli Malik’s company. Why did you start with hijabs and jilbabs as opposed to mainstream fashion lines?
Jaan itself is a 40 year old business, so as a child I have grown up with fashion and seen how hard my dad works to ensure his collections are unique. However, I knew Jaan was lacking something. Although it caters for every occasion and most people, there simply wasn’t anything glamorous for women who prefer to be modest. In fact, that’s something that’s been missing in Asian fashion across the board.

Were you worried that the range would not be a success?
A designer will always have that fear, but I wore my own creation to a cousin’s wedding, and the reaction was one of pure amazement. It’s a ridiculous notion that women who are religious aren’t interested in looking good. 

They are incredibly youthful…
I was mindful to ensure all the garments could be worn by any age group. I’ve made every hijab and jilbab different – some are heavier than others and some are brighter. I didn't want anyone to feel restricted within my collection. 

We were surprised and thrilled to see how rich and elaborate the designs are…
This collection is mainly for evening wear – for events such as weddings and parties. I wanted to do something that no one had seen before. My aim was to make each outfit stand out, so each piece is completely unique with intricate detailing. The only guideline I gave myself was to ensure my designs represented a modern Arabic look.

They’re incredibly comfortable!
The types of fabrics that we used were mostly georgette, crepe and silk. We used soft and free-flowing fabrics when making these garments – it was important to me that a variety of fabrics were used – some girls may prefer to cover their hair completely with a thicker fabric, whereas others may not feel as restricted.  

Most girls tend to wear hijabs in darker, more subtle styles. Are outfits in unusual styles and colours too bold for them?
I started out with black jilbabs, but the more I spoke to people, the more I realised that as long as the styles are tasteful and bespoke, there are plenty of adventurous, fashion-minded wearers out there interested in them. After the initial doubt, most girls realise that far from insulting our culture and traditions, they’re actually a beautiful way to embrace them.

It actually makes you wonder why this hasn’t happened already!
Perhaps designers haven’t had the personal desire to create something like this like myself. Jaan has always aimed to create trends rather than follow them, and the very definition of trendsetting is to show everyone just how to make a good idea work!