Rooted in Tradition: Kazna's Cultural Tapestry

Revolutionizing The Norm: An Exposé on Kazna

From the heart of Sheffield, UK, arises an innovative force in the fashion industry - Kazna Asker. This dynamic Yemeni designer, since her tender years, has been enraptured by the world of fashion, a sphere she knew she would eventually inhabit. Recollections of her ten-year-old self echo with dreams of donning a doctor's coat or stepping into a courtroom as a lawyer, professions often laden with prestige and honor. However, as she emerged into adulthood, she was undeniably drawn towards the creative world.

When she turned 18, her artistic expressions began to unravel in myriad ways. A chameleon of creativity, she dabbled in painting, graphic design, and fashion. Yet, irrespective of the medium, her muse remained constant - the resilient and fierce Muslim woman. Through her paintings, graphic designs, or fashion collections, each piece bore the indelible imprint of the Muslim woman - an enduring homage to her inspiration.

This choice of muse perhaps sprouts from the roots of her own familial tree, bearing fruits of powerful female figures. There's an unspoken protectiveness, a strength she draws from these women, mirroring their spirit in her work. Living in the UK, she often encountered misguided notions about Muslim women - stereotypes of oppression, vulnerability, and an absence of autonomy. This misguided narrative spurred Kazna into creative action. She chose to challenge these stereotypes, reshaping the narrative through her artistic lens.

Kazna's designs are more than mere pieces of fabric. they are a celebration of the Muslim woman. She strives to create a vibrant tapestry of what women in Islam look like, a spectrum often overlooked or misunderstood. Her work showcases the cool, the stylish, the fearless and, most importantly, the authentic reality of Muslim women. Her mission is simple: to depict the world from a different perspective, a glimpse of the kaleidoscope that is the Muslim woman. From her studio in Sheffield to global runways, Kazna is not just designing fashion.

In The Footsteps of Icons: Kazna's Education and Design Journey

Kazna, the rising star in the fashion sphere, further honed her innate artistic instincts at the illustrious Central Saint Martins - a mecca for fashion aspirants. Here, she pursued her Master's degree in fashion, cultivating a unique vision and cultivating her distinct design aesthetic.

A pioneering spirit, Kazna marked a significant milestone in 2022. She became the first designer to grace the revered Central Saint Martins Master Fashion show at London Fashion Week with a hijabi collection, a powerful nod to her roots and inspiration.

Interestingly, her academic journey in both Bachelor's and Master's programmes was rooted in Menswear, yet something was amiss. The echo of her muses, the Muslim women, was absent. The lack of female representation in her work felt like a void, an unfulfilled facet that needed attention. A shift was necessary, not only to fulfill her creative desires but to create a body of work that resonated with her deepest convictions.

Her Master's collection thus became a tribute to the impact of Muslim women within their communities, a theme often overshadowed by prevalent narratives of oppression. To shed light on the true essence of these women, Kazna took an intriguing detour into the realm of documentaries.

She embarked on a journey within her community, capturing the voices of men, probing their perceptions of Muslim women. As she delved deeper with questions about the significant women in their lives and what Muslim women meant to them, the responses were profoundly heartfelt. This experiment not only strengthened Kazna's resolve but made her realize the incredible influence Muslim women wield within their communities.

This transitional experience continues to shape Kazna's creative journey. As she intertwines her design ethos with her cultural heritage, the result is nothing short of revolutionary. From the hallowed halls of Central Saint Martins to the vibrant runway of London Fashion Week, Kazna is carving a path that is as much about fashion as it is about empowering representation. 

Threads of Authenticity: Kazna's Trailblazing Journey in the Fashion World

In a world obsessed with trends, Kazna's design approach is remarkably personal and grounded. She birthed her collections in pairs, harmonizing menswear and womenswear, streetwear and Islamic attire, in a captivating style ballet. The inspiration came from the bustling streets of her community in Sheffield, UK. The sight of young men in their edgy tracksuits and puffer jackets walking alongside their mothers in their traditional abayas and hijabs was an intriguing juxtaposition. This synchronization of styles was not merely about fashion. It mirrored the unique bond, the guiding brotherhood and sisterhood, within her community.

At 18, her father presciently foresaw her destiny in fashion. Yet, she held reservations. Would her community respect her unconventional career path? Could she indeed become a designer? Navigating through these doubts, she ventured into the fashion world, a realm she'd yearned for but considered unattainable. Diving headfirst into art college post-school, she found solace in art, the language she resonated with the most. She discovered an affinity for incorporating people and their narratives into her work, realizing that the clothing they wore was another medium of storytelling.

A beacon guiding her creative journey is the iconic Virgil Abloh. His philosophy of leveraging fashion to convey significant, broader messages resonated with her. Abloh, in many ways, epitomized a cause that was greater than fashion, a paradigm that left an indelible impression on Kazna.

Despite the allure of the London fashion scene during her Master's, Kazna felt a dissonance. Her reflection was missing in the industry's glitzy mirror. But rather than succumbing to this disconnect, she chose to view it as an opportunity. She decided to design not just for her friends and family but for her community, to cater to their authentic needs and tastes.

Kazna employs a range of materials in her designs, from traditional woven fabrics often seen in carpets and sofas, to more technical ones like nylon, often found in tracksuits, a staple of the UK's minority communities.

Her collection presented an intriguing gender-fluid approach. One of her standout pieces was the tracksuit maxi skirt, a chic amalgamation of streetwear and modest fashion. Men wore these as trousers in the menswear fashion show, challenging conventional norms. Another piece saw a model draped in a men's tracksuit, accessorized with a scarf, exploring the unfamiliar intersection of modest Islamic fashion and men's tracksuits.

Her critique of the fashion industry's tokenistic referencing of Islamic fashion fuelled her drive to deliver authenticity. Kazna's aim was not just to design clothes for the Muslim community but to create ensembles they would truly desire to wear, aligning their faith with their fashion.

Conversations form the bedrock of her design process. She talks, engages, and understands people, their style preferences, and comfort zones. Communication and collaboration, for her, are the lifeblood of the community. Her models, often friends, don her creations not just for the runway but in real life too, adding an authentic layer to her fashion narratives.

Kazna is not just a designer. But also she's a storyteller, weaving tales of community, tradition, and authenticity into her designs. She's a bridge between worlds, harmonizing street style with traditional attire, championing authenticity over tokenism, and fashioning a place for herself in an industry where she once felt invisible. Her journey, as inspiring as it is revolutionary, is only just beginning.

Trailblazer Threads: Kazna's Stride Towards Inclusivity in Fashion

While the glitz and glamour of fashion might appear superficial to some, for Kazna, it has always been a battlefield of ideologies. The fashion industry’s indifference towards community-related issues and Islamic fashion due to its lack of representation often raises her hackles. She views her role as not just a designer, but a cultural educator, illuminating her peers about the diversity and depth of Islamic fashion.

Her mission: to fight for recognition. To champion the cause of minorities in the UK and uplift her community. The road is steep, filled with obstacles and everyday challenges, but Kazna is prepared for the struggle. The recognition of a bigger fight fuels her determination to bring about change in the fashion world.

Her crusade is not without resistance. The unveiling of her Master's collection, despite being acknowledged by Vogue Italia, was met with Islamophobic backlash. Critics disapproved of featuring a headscarf-wearing model, revealing a deep-seated reluctance to accept such representation in fashion. Yet, these instances only serve to strengthen her resolve, reinforcing the importance of her mission to break stereotypes and promote diversity and inclusivity within the fashion industry.

The Fabric of Resistance: Keffiyeh and the Unspoken Narrative of Fashion

To communicate the vast richness of Islamic and Arabic culture, Kazna turns to one of its most potent symbols, the keffiyeh. More than a simple Palestinian scarf, it echoes tales of fight, resistance, and revolution. It's a rebuke to the superficiality of the fashion industry, a reminder that fashion can, and has, played significant roles in societal shifts. The keffiyeh's historical and cultural footprint forms an integral part of this narrative.

The Poetic Threads: The Role of Language in Kazna's Designs

In her quest to express her creative vision, Kazna turns to language, specifically the melodious rhythms of poetry. Her love for the poetic element and its power to express her thoughts extends to the written text incorporated in her designs. Initially, her work included only English text, but a deeper dive into her culture made her realize the aesthetic and emotive potential of Arabic.

Arabic, to Kazna, is visually beautiful and inherently poetic. Its use in her work adds an element of artistic mystique. She is inspired by Arabic and Sufi poetry and sees the Arabic language as a tool to express her work's deeper, more intricate meanings. It is a medium of poetic communication, seamlessly woven into the fabric of her designs.

“When I explain these poetic Arabic phrases to people, there's a deeper resonance that forms. I harbor a profound admiration for Arabic and Sufi poetry, and Islamic poetry in general, consistently drawing upon their wisdom in my work.” - Kazna 

Embracing Slow Fashion: Advocacy for Sustainability and Conscious Consumption 

Kazna's passion for sustainable fashion is evident in her work. She's an advocate for upcycling, and she's making strides in educating her community about its value, countering the notion that everything should be brand new. She understands the environmental impact of fast fashion and has made a conscious decision to embrace slow fashion.

She handcrafts all her designs, utilizing deadstock materials to reduce waste. Kazna's brand is one that prioritizes purpose over productivity. She doesn't believe in overproducing but focuses on creating meaningful, lasting pieces.

Kazna encourages thoughtful consumption when it comes to fashion. Her advice to consumers is to purchase with purpose, opting for quality pieces that resonate with them, rather than indulging in a frenzy of buying new clothes for every occasion. If you find an orange jacket that speaks to your style and identity, she suggests buying it, even if it's pricey, as it may very well last you a lifetime.

Furthermore, she sheds light on the often overlooked aspect of clothing donation. Donating worn-out or ripped clothing, she says, doesn't truly contribute to recycling, as these items often end up in the landfill, creating more waste. Her advice is to donate clothes that are still in good condition, clothes that you would wear yourself.