25 Modest Fashion Creators To Follow For Daily Dressing Inspiration
These hijabi content creators from the GCC – and beyond – are giving us major style envy
Long gone are days when the idea of modest style was drab clothing and representation was nowhere to be found in fashion. In 2024 women are applauded for putting together looks that don’t… require all to be on show. Modest looks are regularly spotted on international catwalks, like Giorgio Armani’s latest haute couture show, taking social media by storm as hijabi fashionistas share snap after snap of themselves looking elegant and chic.
With constant conversation around what women should (or shouldn’t) wear, these ladies are not only shaping the global fashion scene but also making a powerful statement through their choice of dress.
Here, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia has curated a list of 25 modest fashion creators and influencers that need to be on your radar.
Yara Alnamlah
Over the years, Yara Alnamlah has garnered an impressive Instagram following of over 1.4 million. Known for her effortless style and passion for skincare, she has her own beauty brand called Treat, as well as a salon in Riyadh.
Waad Alhammadi
The queen of neutrals, Waad Alhammadi’s well-coordinated, monochromatic-themed Instagram feed is a delight to scroll through. Also an entrepreneur, Waad’s clothing line is an expression of her love of sleek style.
Soha Taha
Based in the UAE, this Egyptian fashion influencer often tops best dressed lists and serves as style inspo for her over 800,000 Instagram followers. Using a mix of hats, balaclavas and traditional headscarves to complete her looks, Soha Taha’s creativity is boundless.
Soraya Ulfa Faisal
Breaking stereotypes of traditional modest wear, Soraya Ulfa’s Instagram feed is made up of denim, bold sunglasses, vampy lips and lots of grungy aesthetics. This Indonesia-based blogger has perfected mixing edgy style with modest pieces.
Sofia Pena
With her videos on different hijab styles and tips on what scarf colours to pair with your outfits, Sofia Pena has quickly become a go-to figure in the modest style space. She not only has a huge following on Instagram but her TikTok videos have close to 6 million likes.
Sarah A. Al Hail
This Qatari fashionista is big on sharing her coffee runs with her 213,000 followers on Instagram. Her elegant outfits, matching Hermès bags and perfect make-up looks are forever giving us style envy.
Rawdha Thani
If you’re looking for daily nail inspo, she’s your girl. This Emirati content creator matches her manicures with her embroidered abayas and her love for experimenting with different shades and patterns shows through in her personal style. If you’re inspired by her colourful looks, check out her abaya brand called Illi Studio.
Nwafy
Whether she’s enjoying a trip to Italy’s Portofino or showing off her perfectly coordinated outfit in South Africa’s Cape Town, this UAE-based blogger is not only into fashion but also an avid traveller. She recently posted her winter looks from her trip to Europe and her followers are loving every moment of it.
Nouf Altamimi
Starting her journey as a fashion content creator in 2016, Nouf Altamimi is a lover of all things lifestyle-related. She has two business – Sement Home Furniture and a clothing brand called Season. Her personal style revolves around mixing elegant abayas, traditional kaftans and western clothing.
Nada Nadir
Whether she’s making a quick coffee run or attending extravagant events, this Palestinian beauty based in Dubai is never caught looking anything but fabulous. She’s known for her signature looks featuring turban-style hijabs.
Mthayel Al Ali
Hailing from Sharjah, Mthayel Al Ali started out as an influencer a decade ago, garnering over 800,000 followers on Instagram, this Emirati content creator is the internet’s sweetheart. She’s not only an influencer and style guru but also an entrepreneur, with multiple projects and ventures constantly in the pipeline.
Manaal Alhammadi
This Emirati designer has given an edgy twist to traditional, modest clothing and earned loyal fans of her style along the way. She designs pieces for her clothing brand, The Daily, and often shows off her work on Instagram. Taking inspiration from leather jackets, blazers and coats to make her abayas, she has mastered creative expression and originality.
Marwa Biltagi
Born and raised in California, Palestinian-Irish Instagrammer Marwa Biltagi uses her social media channels to share what is trending in fashion and lifestyle, while incorporating the hijab as a bold fashion statement. She’s known for her outfits featuring chic combinations that play with different textures and her scarfs fit perfectly in the mix.
Leena Al Ghouti
When you think of the modest fashion scene in the GCC region, Leena Al Ghouti is one of the first names to come to mind. She is known for her elevated streetwear-centred looks and her signature black over-the-shoulder headscarf.
Khaoula Boumeshouli
Amsterdam-based influencer, Khaoula Boumeshouli, is known to take inspiration from western clothing and traditional, Arab-style fashion and blending both into her looks. Her feed usually includes her outfits of the day posts and her life as a mom.
Kholoud Al Ali
Able to equally rock a beaded jalabiya and a tailored suit, Kholoud Al Ali is the best of both worlds. Whether it’s modeling for Prada’s holiday collection or attending a Bulgari event, the Qatar-based influencer’s presence in the region’s fashion scene is unmissable.
Hodan Yousuf
Never afraid to make a style statement, Berliner Hodan Yousuf has created a niche for herself in the world of high fashion with an edgy twist. She often mixes menswear pieces into her outfits, pairing structured blazers with ties and integrating street style into her looks.
Haneen Al Saify
Trying to solve her own fashion dilemmas lead to Haneen Al Saify staring a make-up and clothing brand. She sells magnetic lashes to cut down on the hassle of gluing on eyelashes as well turbans that are easy to wrap and stay on all day. Her innovative outlook towards beauty and fashion has made her an inspiration too many on social media.
Hajra Tariq
Who says modest fashion needs to be subtle or lacklustre? Hajra Tariq certainly shows us otherwise. With her bright ombré abayas, which she designs herself for her brand – Feeya, she is not about playing it safe. Adding colour to our feeds, Hajra is a must-follow for all our modest fashion inspo needs.
Fatma Husam
This Emirati entrepreneur and influencer with an Instagram following of over 800,000 is defining the GCC region’s fashion scene. She’s known for her ultra-luxe looks, with sophisticated silhouettes and timeless accessories.
Imane Asry
Bringing a fresh touch of Scandinavian minimalism to our Instagram feeds, Imane Asry has a fan club online of those who appreciate no compromises on modesty while experimenting with high fashion. Her style revolves around statement pieces and sophisticated silhouettes.
Dalal AlDoub
Arguably Kuwait’s most recognisable influencer, Dalal AlDoub is well known in the fashion and beauty space. With over 3 million followers on Instagram, Dalal first got famous through her in-depth make-up tutorials. Now, she continues to regularly share her outfits, test out beauty products and collaborates with top lifestyle brands in the region.
Basma Kahie
If you want sleek style and fierce fashion-forward outfits in your feed, Basma Kahie is your girl. This London-based Somali beauty regularly updates her 430,000 Instagram fans on her creative and classy looks.
Aydha Mehnaz
This Paris-based Bangladeshi influencer has perfected the structured look. You’ll often see her in patterned oversized blazers, tailored trousers, and she loves incorporating traditional accessories and clothing pieces, as a nod to her South Asian heritage, into her outfits.
Maria Alia Al Sadek
Based in Brooklyn and of Palestinian and Puerto Rican decent, Maria Alia Al Sadek exudes effortless New York City cool. Not afraid to take a risk with her looks, she is redefining modest fashion and always surprising her followers with unique looks.
