On Sunday, August 4th, just outside of Los Angeles, more than 700 women in long-sleeve floral print summer dresses, flowing full-length skirts and headscarves accented with feathers and floral pins will gather to celebrate Muslim women entrepreneurship.
In the city of Irvine from 11 AM and 8 PM, the sixth annual Perfect For Her (PFH) Convention will showcase businesses run by Muslim women, provide an opportunity to network with other women and allow participants to enjoy a fashion show catwalk.
“I want to see Muslim women owning their own narrative,” said Hassanah El Yacoubi, organizer and host of the PFH convention. “I do not want to hear ‘about’ Muslim women. I want Muslim women to shine and to speak, and to have an opportunity to be in control of their own narrative. And they are doing it in very creative ways.”
El Yacoubi, 30, was frustrated by the lack of chic and modest clothes for women in the California market, so in 2014 she decided to start a lifestyle blog and online boutique called Perfect For Her. She collected modest wear from a variety of existing brands, and eventually developed the PFH convention.
“What is beautiful about this modest fashion movement is that it has already inspired many Muslim women entrepreneurs to go out there and start their own companies, despite of being mothers and students and sisters,” El Yacoubi said.
To reflect that inspiration, the purpose of this year’s PFH convention has evolved, and the event will not focus ‘only’ on the modest fashion show. In addition, the one-day event will feature panel discussions and workshops addressing the obstacles female Muslim entrepreneurs face. More than 17 Muslim women entrepreneurs, educators, influencers and designers will discuss the challenges of wearing a headscarf in Western societies and juggling the roles of working and entrepreneur moms, such as keeping up with the business of modest fashion design and influences and staying apprised of social media trends.
As the mother of a 5-month-old son, a PhD candidate, and an entrepreneur, El Yacoubi understands those challenges firsthand. “I do not want other women ashamed of their religious identity. I want them to feel confident to be Muslim,” she said.
“We do not have to compromise our values to fit a norm. We do not have to compromise our religion to fit a norm. We need to be respected for who we are and what we believe in. The more we have a community of support, the more we have the confidence of being who we are.”
The 2019 PFH convention will be packed with two major panel discussions, four workshops and a special event for female Muslim singles to meet and learn about dating and marriage in Islam.
The convention will take place at AV Irvine, 16500 Scientific Way, Irvine.
Ticket info:
6th Annual PFH Modest Fashion Convention Sun Aug 4, 2019 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm AV Irvine, 92618
Listed below is the schedule of panelists and workshops.
Panel one:
Managing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship: The Dos and Don’ts of Mixing Babies with Business
Hassanah El Yacoubi
Aaliya Yaqub
Yasmin Elhady
Noor Haffar
Marya Ayloous
Layla Shaikley
Ascia Sahar
Panel two:
Re-defining Influence: from Intention to Impact
Hassanah El Yacoub
Isra Chaker
Daria Alasmar
Lauleh Aslani
Safiya Abdallah
Marwa Balkar
Malika Bilal
Workshops:
Preparing for motherhood and Postpartum Care by Afra
How to Build Your Business and Profession by Mona Abdallah
Thriving in Oversaturated Industry by Safiya Abhallah
How to Raise Your Profile in Digital Media By Sara Namshidi