Instead of making different types of tudung, one label makes tudung for different kinds of women on their hijab journey, writes Syida Lizta Amirul Ihsan
WHEN she was 9, Fazrena Aziz, 29, decided to wear the tudung. Her mother initially resisted, saying that her daughter was too young. She insisted and wore the Muslim headcover on and off, until she hit puberty and has worn it since.
"I wore it because that's what Allah wants. That's how it was in my 9-year-old mind.
My mother only set one condition - that once I wear the tudung, I do not take it off."
So eight years ago, when she started Tudung People during her final year architecture degree at International Islamic University Malaysia, she started it with the idea that wearing the tudung is normal — like wearing a top and pants.
But I imagine being used to wearing short skirts and cropped pants. When you decide to wear the tudung, you need to overhaul your wardrobe. "It's not just about adding another piece of clothing. It's completely revamping how you look and dress and how you view style and dressing up.
"Many times, a tudung brand assumes everyone finds covering up easy, when it actually isn't, at least not for some people."
NEW PATH
It is this understanding of a woman's hijab journey that pushes the brand to design tudung for different kinds of women, depending on where they are on their journey.
"We have jersey shawl sold with matching inner for women who are new to wearing the tudung. This makes it easy for them because they don't have to think of matching inner and tudung.
"We also have tudung made for mothers who are often strapped for time. Made of Korean lycra and moss crepe, they don't crease — provided you line dry them by clipping the edge and not throw them into the dryer.
"Mothers need time to manage their families. Many don't have helpers. The time needed for ironing can be put to better use.
"To me, it's all about making Muslim women's lives a little bit easier. You don't have to look sloppy just because you are pressed for time," she says.
CHILDREN'S TUDUNG
Through a collaboration with the animation series Omar & Hana, Tudung People will roll out matching tudung for mothers and daughters.
"Personally, I feel girls shouldn't be asked to wear tudung before they hit puberty, but children learn through example and we find that girls want to wear tudung because they want to look like their mothers."
She says this is also a way to inculcate the love for modest dressing among the young.
Fazrena herself dresses modestly. Her blouse and pants are loose and her tudung drops lower than her chest.
"I just try to be syariah-compliant when it comes to dressing because the tudung isn't just adding another piece of clothing on your head. It's a whole new philosophy based on modesty and moderation.
"As a brand, we want to tell people that you can wear the tudung and feel empowered. Your head cover is not an obstacle."
SPORTS HIJAB
This year, at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon in September, Tudung People will be the official tudung, the first time the Muslimah headgear made an official appearance at the prestigious event.
"Muslim women run too and it's important to normalise the sports hijab. What else do we expect them to exercise in?"
Fazrena will be running the half marathon distance this year, in line with her sponsorship for the event.
"We will also have a running clinic conducted by SCKLM running coach closer to the date," she says. Its sports hijab is made of anti-microbial material so it doesn't smell. It is 100 per cent opaque and light.
TURBAN
The turban has become increasingly popular, thanks to singer Yuna.
Some celebrities wear the turban, like Neelofa, especially when she attends events overseas.
Tudung People mulled the turban as a way to introduce the hijab to those who are not used to wearing it. But after much thought, Fazrena decided against it.
"I don't want it to be the other way round. People might like it and might switch from the usual style to the turban. The tudung gets shorter. That isn't the principle of modesty in Islam.
"Being in a business that has a direct relation to my religion, I am, in some ways, responsible for what I sell."
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