Carmen Muhammad of Al-Nisa Designs and its subsidiary, Women Working Together Inc., along with several international modest designers, are ready to make a bold statement of being confident and covered.
June 30 to July 3, Women Working Together Inc. is presenting the 2nd Annual International Modest Arts Awards Gala & Fashion Weekend at Chicago’s Contemporary Arts Museum. Since 2001, the organization has addressed the needs of women spiritually, socially, and economically in all facets of the fashion industry.
The extended weekend includes three days of runway fashion shows, a 3K Unity Peace Walk and an awards gala with an art exhibit.
The desire of Carmen Muhammad, the event’s organizer, is to attract women near and far as a new standard of beauty that reflects them as women of Allah (God).
›She boldly stated: “The challenge is ours!”
“Are we going to stand by or come together to show the world that we, the woman of God, choose to be a modestly dressed woman?” she asked with passion as she explained her goals for achieving the event’s success. “My inspiration is my own personal experience of being blessed to travel overseas to fashion events and see the lack of inclusion in the mainstream for modest and Black designers.”
Twenty-five designers from the U.S., Africa, the Middle East and other areas around the world will present their current fashion clothing lines in person and virtually.
Tukwini Mandela, granddaughter of the late Nelson Mandela, will be representing her mother, Dr. Makaziwe “Maki” Mandela, and family in showcasing her mother’s latest “House of Mandela’s ‘Struggle Series’ StreetWear Collection.”
Other designers include Aminah Muhammad of Queen Aminah Designs in Los Angeles; organizer and activist Yonasda Lonewolf’s Native American and African American clothing and accessory collaboration, Lookinghorse X Lonewolf; and Final Call staff writer Nisa Islam Muhammad’s women’s swimwear line, Orchid Allure.
The weekend will conclude with a purple carpet Modest Awards Gala and Arts Dinner. Fine dining and an awards ceremony will honor prominent members of the community of fashion and arts. Nation of Islam First Lady Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, wife of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, will receive the “Global First Lady Queendom Award” for her design of the official garment of Muslim women in the Nation as well as her many years of innovation and style in modest dress.
For more information, to register and view all details of the 2nd Annual International Modest Fashion Week event visit www.chicagomfw.com.
