Fashionista gathering in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia! No black Abaya’s here!

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | February 15, 2015 ~ An Interview with Irna Mutiara (Irna La Perle)

In the name of Allah, most gracious and most merciful.

All Praise be to Allah.

Each month the Consulate General of Indonesia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia holds an event at which all the Indonesian Ladies Societies attend.  Each gathering usually has a theme, performance or lecture.  This month, Indonesian Fashion Designer – Irna La Perle or also known as Irna Mutiara – showcased her Muslim Wedding Gown Designs along with a live showcase of how to wear your hijab to go along with your Wedding Gown.

The theme of the gowns were soft pastel colors made of cool yet soft fabric that flowed gracefully.  The designer constrained by the Islamic code of dress successfully and gracefully added much detail and uniqueness to each dress tailoring it to different body shapes.

 

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my friends with Irna La Perle party gown

There were several hundred in the audience bringing a warm feeling of excitement and cooing in the audience.

As for me, between the fittings, watching the models wear the clothes and walk in them –  it was a flurry of commotion. I jostled to get a moment to speak to Sister Irna Mutiara.  And when I finally got to her, I found an amazingly sweet, humble and modestly dressed sister.  She herself had on one of her own designs in a beige color along with a matching hijab. My conversation with her was earnest, honest and warm. What a delight Masha Allah!

Born in the 2nd largest city in Indonesia, Bandung – Sister Irna is the dynamic force behind the fashion change for Muslim women in Indonesia. I also found out that what she was doing today was initiated by a dream about Indonesian women feeling confident, beautiful and comfortable in their clothes and hijab.  She feels that, “Every Muslim woman wants to look good, but more importantly, she wants to be good and respected.”

And in that, this talent has been with her since she was a child —

I’ve been involved in designing clothes since I was a kid, and unconsciously developed skills and creativity from there. As it became more and more apparent to me, I decided to be a fashion designer and attended college majoring in fashion design,”She said.

The source for her inspiration dresses from the traditional Indonesian fashion and fabrics. She adds iconic Java and Sumatran styles, embroideries and accents into the details of her works and also infusing it with International flavors.  Thus making her line appealing to the international market as well.

Irna’s breakthrough came in 2004 with the launch of her casual modest wear label Up2Date, featuring iridescent modern designs with versatile fabrics and responses from the public were fantastic. Up2Date is growing steadily into the International market.

Dressing in accordance with Islamic law is becoming more popular amongst the Muslim women in Indonesia.  Interestingly, the Indonesian Muslim woman wanted to be fashionable, hip, chic and also within the Islamic dress code. Hence the brand, Irna La Perle was born in 2007.  This brand focuses on glamorous gowns for special occasions such as weddings. ROL-24

The name Irna La Perle so it would appeal to international audiences as well. As for the designs lines, Irna La Perle is famous for the classical and elegant styles made up of soft colors allowing it to be quickly accepted by markets in Shanghai-China, Rabat-Morocco, Iran, Paris-France, and in Jeddah-Saudi Arabia.

This coming  February 27-29, 2015, she will participate at the Indonesian fashion week in Jakarta.  This time the gowns will be red and dark blue, which is a completely different color palette which she used back in 2013.

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To add to her already extremely busy schedule, She is also the Founder and Chairwoman of Hijabersmoms Community.  And she finished writing a book which title: “Hijrah Story- Always fashionable”.

Be shar’ie and stylish. By wearing wide veil does not decrease the beauty of our appearance.

O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness – that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember. (Al-A’raf:26)

 

me and Irna Mutiara (Irna La Perle), designer
me and Irna Mutiara (Irna La Perle), designer

 

Check out  Irna Mutiara’s site!: 

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