Hafsa LodiNeem Tree Press Limited Modesty: a Fashion Paradox

Modest fashion, a term used incessantly these days by giant fashion industries and fashion enthusiasts. The modest fashion industry is booming and with it is the constant need to upgrade and stay ahead in style. When I read about modest fashion while my book was in transit, I was truly intrigued by the paradox. Modesty and fashion are oxymorons in their true sense and through her book Modesty – A Fashion Paradox, Hafsa Lodhi talks about this thriving sector and every single element – from influencers, global brands to high profile celebrities which contribute to the industry in their own way.The book gives an insight into the world of fashion from the eyes of a modest dresser. It’s a revelation to read about the fashion industry from a fresh perspective. Fashion industry has always been “out-of-reach” and “unwelcoming” for regular people who are bound by religious or personal beliefs. With thousands of fashion bloggers propagating modest fashion and hajibi models revolutionizing the fashion industry, Hafsa’s book makes us realize modest fashion is not a fad or a transient trend, but something that is here to stay.The book also talks about how luxury giant global brands are constantly developing the world of modest fashion with their clothes ticking all the boxes of what does modest apparel really mean. The industry in no way is undergoing a paradigm shift from fast fashion to modest fashion, but incorporating modest fashion parallelly.The book is a manifesto for everyone seeking to explore modest fashion as a lifestyle. Such a refreshing read for a genre I have never really explored.

I didn't really understand what mainstream fashion and modesty have in common, but the author quotes some surprising financial estimates about the value of this "modest fashion industry" which seems to be on the rise globally. The research is impressive. This topic is not just fashion - it affects global economics, pop culture, social change, the media, psychology, and even politics. It's very interesting to see how a group of Muslim (and non-Muslim) women have helped inspire a worldwide trend, and I found it very helpful that the author included links to the instagram pages of the brands and bloggers she references throughout the book. This is an eye-opening , intelligent, in-depth analysis of the modest fashion industry. I learned a lot!

It's so difficult to discuss a controversial topic like this, due to the different religious, political and cultural influences and pressures we face every day. Hafsa tackled this brave topic gracefully, factually and academically.It's a must-read not only for Muslim women but all women and men who want to understand the true background of fashion, the trends and how modesty is understood and represented by people from all faiths & backgrounds. You get a real sense and understanding of this new wave and phenomena that is 'Modest Fashion'

This was my first time venturing into reading a book that’s not a novel, and I’ve got to say I really enjoyed It was so interesting to learn about the different layers that describe “modest fashion” and it was such an informative and brilliant read! it! It’s so well written which made a it a breeze to get through. Highly recommend!

This book is very interesting to read. The way the information is presented while keeping a very non biased approach to the topic at hand is remarkable. It is very informative and let’s the reader explore the complexities and dynamics of a very evolving fashion world.

Such a good read, can't wait to read more books by Hafsa Lodi!

Truly eye opening. Fashion from a completely new perspective!

I’m so glad this book exists in the world. Having lived in the UAE for half her life, and a fashion journalist herself, Lodi gives us an inside look into the modern fashion industry. Not only does the book explore the origins and trajectory of this relatively new industry, Lodi also explores the many different ways in which Muslim women across the globe apply their understanding of modest-clothing and she also makes it clear that modest fashion isn’t exclusive to Islam or even to women - many people, of all genders and faith backgrounds, choose to dress modestly. Lodi explores the origins of modest dressing both in terms of history and in the Abrahamic faiths, and references a number of female scholars who have studied and written about the hijab and modest clothing their evolution throughout history, making this book a brilliant resource. It was easy to read and I particularly enjoyed the section on modest fashion blogging!

This has been so interesting and informative. During my teenage years, I received a lot of odd looks for my dressing. I never was able to dress to fashion trends as they weren’t suitable to wear with the hijab. All of a sudden, it’s become mainstream fashion to dress how I usually do.The huge change from, “sex sells,” to baggy clothes has come rather suddenly. Modesty, a fashion paradox breaks down the influence of faith upon the fashion world.Hafsa Lodi has written the book with immense research behind it. Initially, I thought I’d struggle to get through the book, as I knew the subject of the book was controversial. Therefore, I expected the writing to be dense but it was easy to understand.I have not seen a book on the market like this yet, and I hope we do see more like it. The book highlights the influence of Muslim fashion bloggers on the fashion industry, and gives Muslim women more representation.I recommend everyone to read as the book has the power to change perspective.

Fantastic read. Very insightful.

I found this book very inspiring. It was a nice easy read with plenty of ideas.

Amazing Book!Super interesting and complete.I recommend to anyone interested in Modest Fashion!