“I need to be able to live my life the way I want to,” says Finnish hijab designer Sahra Abokor

Mojesty Simplicity hijabs are made by hand in Espoo, Finland by model and designer Sahra Abokor who believes in following her own set of modest values. Not a simple task when originally, in order to do so, the designer faced the issues of tripping into her own headwear while engaging in anything more than a stroll. “A change was needed for us muslim girls.”

In 2018, Nike launched the world’s first sports hijab in order to help open up sport to Muslim women. A much needed piece of clothing which design student Sahra Abokor felt she needed to own immediately. Working in London as a model at the time, Abokor rushed to buy one – but had to face disappointment. “The material used in the veil was all wrong. It felt very net-like and almost as though the design team had taken a pair of running tights and turned it into a balaclava. There was even a wreath that was meant to keep the hijab in place but instead felt tight and uncomfortable.”

“The hijab did not drape properly and the whole design left me wondering whether it had been tested by muslim athletes in the first place?”

As a model, Abokor was used to facing similar challenges.

“During London Fashion Week a few years back I was booked by my Finnish agency to do a show for a local brand. Well before we talked through the styles, including the hijab models that I would wear. All was well. Yet when I arrived to walk the show, I had my make up done and was then asked to go get my hair done as well. I was like, ‘what are you talking about?’ I had literally gone through everything with the Creative Director only a day before but suddenly they were acting like they knew nothing. I was persuaded again and again to go through with the new plans but eventually I ended up walking out.” 

“Refusing to go through with something that does not feel right can be extremely empowering.”

“Refusing to go through with something that does not feel right can be extremely empowering.”

Sahra Abokor

Dissatisfaction with pre-existing conditions, something which lead to an innovation of sorts. 
“I have wanted to do my own thing for a long time and have always been interested in fashion. When the pandemic hit, I had just begun my design studies in Kuopio and suddenly had a lot of spare time on my hands. Those isolated years gave me time to think. When I was then encouraged an internship, something which is included in my study scheme, I was faced with a dilemma. Where would a muslim woman be able to work when it comes to fashion? Where would I fit in with my set of values, my sense of self and the modest clothing that I wish to wear?”

“In addition to working for someone else, we were offered the chance to become entrepreneurs for a year without the hassle of administrative and tax-related issues. This really resonated with me and so the idea of Mojesty Simplicity, the first ever Finnish hijab company was born.”

Mojesty, referring to the combination of words majestic and modesty, describes not only the aesthetic behind the trend of dressing but also the set of values behind the brand. “Before Mojesty Simplicity, we haven’t had a brand in Finland that would have pursued the case for muslim women. While modesty is very similar to the clean girl aesthetic for example, a minimalist approach to beauty and fashion featuring fresh faces with little to no makeup, the companies themselves are not modest. For us, it is not only an aesthetic but a set of values which we follow in life. This is where companies fail and are unable to mirror the everyday of our lives.”

“And while the maxi dressing trend has allowed for us modest girls to shop within a broader range of long sleeve shirts and longer dresses – it is kind of sad that soon this trend will be over and then micro skirts take over again. Where do muslim women shop then?”

The design process behind Mojesty hijabs has thus been organic and driven by practicality.
“I have thought about the issues behind hijabs from many perspectives. Previously the Finnish market was saturated with scarves that are made of jersey in pieces that come in two metre chunks. For us active girls, these are way too long – so long even that we might end up getting caught in things or end up getting hurt,” Abokor states.

“We need to be able to live our active lives and this means that the fabrics need to be tucked in. But being this long, tucking is simply not possible.”

According to Abokor, the issues with the hijabs also lie in the fabrics that are being used.
“The materials are of low-quality and thus, keep stretching when used on a daily basis. Soon they lose form and become unusable. Having to change your hijab monthly is simply not user- nor environmentally-friendly.”

The Mojesty Simplicity hijabs are 95% viscose and 5% elastane, making them stretchy but durable. The scarves are two-piece with a tube that covers the neck area and a lower piece which covers the hair and as much of the forehead as needed and wanted by the user.

“The hijab can be worn on its own with the tube, allowing for a lighter fit. It doesn’t feel tight at all, drapes beautifully and can be worn with bigger jewellery or a pair of earrings. The hijab does not come off even when running or working out. The user doesn’t have to worry about their headwear staying in place, this hijab remains put.”

While the design process has further developed into several models in colours such as white, light brown and black, the basis of the aesthetic remains the same. 

“The Mojesty look is very similar to the way I wore the hijab as a child. Back then I had a two-piece veil which was a very clean look. This is something that I keep going back to as an active adult wanting to keep true to my beliefs while living the modern life.”

“The process is, in a way, a return to my roots. My original beliefs of leading a modest life with the accompanying set of values that bleed into the aesthetic – and yet being able to remain active. I still run, go to boxing classes and work out. Exactly the way I want to without the hassle of having to think about my clothing suddenly falling off,” Abokor says smiling.