CHICAGO—Sister Carmen Muhammad, owner of Al-Nisa Designs and Women Working Together Inc., has done it again by putting together a successful fashion show that represented women in a refined, elevated and modern way. The 3rd annual international fashion show was part of a weekend-themed “Fashion For Peace” held August 30-31.
The weekend began with a Black-Tie Awards Gala on August 30 at the Salaam Restaurant where 16 astounding women were presented with “Keepers of the Dream” awards. The honorees included Sister Betsy Jean Farrakhan and Sister Vivan Muhammad, Farming and Agriculture Humanitarian Award of Lifetime Achievement;
Sister Azziza Muhammad, Women of Substance Phenomenal Helpmeet Award; Sister Abisayo Muhammad, Women of Substance Phenomenal Helpmeet Award; Sister Kabasa Muhammad, Sister Dr. Chandra Salaam and Sister Shahida Muhammad for the Distinguished Education Award;
Sister Margaret Mahdi, Sister Akilah Muhammad and Sister Charline Muhammad, Entertainment/Arts; Sister Lisa R. Muhammad and Sister Aminah Muhammad (aka Queen Aminah), Community Service Outreach Award;
And Sister Chantal Muhammad, Sister Sajdah Wendy Muhammad, Sister Sonya Muhammad and Sister Nataki Muhammad, for Business Women of the Year Award.
Sister Madinah Muhammad is the daughter of Sister Lisa R. Muhammad. She was very proud to see her mother receive an award. “It is such a blessing to see my mother being honored for such an award. I grew up right beside her serving the community and helping build relationships for us in the Nation (of Islam) with people of all walks of life,” she told The Final Call.
The wonderful evening was hosted by Student Minister Jamil Muhammad of Baltimore, who charmed attendees with humor and his appreciation for Sister Carmen Muhammad’s hard work.
Sister Khadijah Y. Muhammad performed a beautiful solo that evening and expressed her appreciation for Sister Carmen’s representation of modest fashion. “If you think about modest fashion, there are different ways to represent that so you can see different examples of modest fashion with everybody here so that sets the tone.”
The fashion show on Aug. 31 did not disappoint. Hosted at the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago, it featured designs from Sister Carmen, Evetta Petty of Harlems Heaven; Queen Aminah; Sister Nisa Islam Muhammad of Orchard Allure Collection; Asiyah Collections; Hakeem and Aliyah Collection, and a host of others.
Models as young as three years of age walked the runway. Young Sister Imani Siddiqah Muhammad, age 5, was very excited to participate in the show. “It was really great!” she told The Final Call. “I like how the dresses look; they look pretty!”
Student Minister Jamil and Brother Hannibal Muhammad of Phoenix shared emcee duties.
The show featured designs for infants, children, teenagers and adults for casual and formal wear.
Sister Naeema Muhammad was one of the models. She told The Final Call, “The show was well put together, the designs were up to date and beautiful. I was really proud of the work I saw, the craftsmanship from Sister Queen Aminah to Akilah’s Closet,” she said. “I’m happy for the opportunity to show off Muslim collections throughout the world and our community.”
Designer, Sister Jalilah Muhammad said, “I think Sister Carmen is amazing in what she’s doing for the M.G.T. (Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class) and sisters and getting us out there and showcasing our wears and our modest wears. I’m proud to be a part [of it]; I’m grateful for her including us.”
Her mother, Queen Aminah, inspired her interest in fashion design. She thanked her mother and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan for giving her the foundation needed to represent modest fashion for the past two years.
At the end of the evening, Sister Carmen Muhammad thanked the attendees and her supporters for helping her put together what she says is a part of her mission of “integrating Muslim women and fashion” and showing that modesty can be beautiful.
—Tariqah Muhammad, Staff Writer
