“There was absolutely nowhere one could go to buy simple, functional and climate-friendly abayas or hijabs… unless one wants to wear the thin black abaya and freeze in the harsh UK winter months.”
Shahida could see there was a style obstacle for Manchester’s Islamic community. And she thought she knew how to fix it.
In 1995, she embarked on a mission to develop style-conscious yet wearable Islamic clothing – working with her husband Altaf to launch Abayas Boutique – and the city’s leading luxury ‘House of Hijab’ was born.
Today, the Rusholme-based clothing brand is the go-to spot for garments that conform to Islamic guidelines without compromising on style, specialising in beautiful hijabs and abayas that are fashion-forward; with chic options made from luxurious fabrics.
The business idea originated from Shahida’s need for an abaya that allowed her to feel confident, and she enlisted the help of her fashion designer husband to create one.
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What started as a simple idea soon skyrocketed to popularity in Greater Manchester.
“Word spread and my friends were placing orders for customised abayas and hijabs – we were inundated with orders from the local community,” Shahida explained.
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Abayas Boutique is now run as a family business, with their eldest daughter assisting Shahida and Altaf in creating the garments.
The brand puts a new spin on what Islamic clothing usually entails, adopting luxurious and trendy designs that still allow for modest dressing.
“We offer exclusive stylish designs for the modern Muslim woman demonstrating that conformity to Islamic guidelines need not compromise on elegance and style”, says Shahida.
The abayas and hijabs from the brand also befit any occasion, whether it’s a casual streetwear composition or a more formal style.
The founding couple are proud Mancunians – Altaf was born and bred in Longsight whereas Shahida has lived in Manchester for most of her life – and they’re both dedicated to catering for the city’s Muslim communities and style-conscious students.
Rather than being inspired by the city, they firmly believe that they’ve made a difference to Manchester’s fashion scene.
“We have paved the way to modest fashion and luxury abaya fashion,” says Shahida.
“We are literally bringing the trends and so forth to the city.”
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Abayas Boutique has recently launched their Ramadan spring collection, which adopts flowy silhouettes and pastel colours that are befitting of the spring weather whilst still in keeping with their luxurious style.
“We are in Ramadan right now, so clients are looking to purchase one or more of a fancier abaya to wear for Eid or to gift,” states Shahida, who is keen to provide customers with only the best of luxury modest Islamic wear for this occasion.
“Our new collection’s inspiration has been derived from distinct fusions of different periods in history, cultural art and fashion, as well as cultural trends.”
Salford City drop first new kit ahead of new era for the football club
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have finally dropped the first new kit for the team’s new era, with the native second city side having fully reverted to orange and black as their core colours and a fresh club crest late last year.
The local club, which was famously bought by Manchester United’s ‘Class of ’92’ and businessman Peter Lim back in 2014, is now embarking on its next chapter and a “new identity” – starting with going back to the days of old when it comes to the badge and official palette.
After the change was initially announced last October following feedback from an extensive fan review, a first glimpse at the rebooted badge, which calls back to previous versions, and the details behind it were revealed this past December.
Fast forward to Wednesday, 8 July, and the latest away shirt incorporating the new (and old) core design tenets has been released in full glory; here’s a closer look:
As you can see, the white-base alternate strip features the iconic adidas three stripes in orange across the shoulders and sleeves as a representation of their new primary colour, but keeps the second accent often used on home, away and/or third kits in recent years.
Keeping the black with an orange trim on the neck and cuffed short sleeves, Ammies can almost certainly expect some kind of inversion of the trio on the main for the home shirt.
Perhaps most notably, leading global insurer AIG is printed across the front and the new principal sponsor, continuing their partnership with the organisation and replacing Fireball Whisky after a short stint as the lead brand logo.
Unsurprisingly, some Salford supporters have noted that it is reminiscent of Man United kits from 2006-2010, who were also sponsored by the company.
Elsewhere, international technology consultancy Accenture features across the upper portion of the back of the shirt, and British wellness retailer Holland & Barrett appear on the left-hand sleeve.
Finally, the kit is completed with white shorts that also feature orange stripes and a black and orange trim, and customised ‘SCFC’ white socks.
Salford’s Lionesses women’s team will wear black shorts with orange stripes instead. What do you make of the first fresh shirt of the new era, Salfordians?
An exclusive pop-up vintage clothing and charity market is coming to Manchester Arndale
Danny Jones
Love shopping locally, independently and sustainably and from the likes of traders and regional markets? Well, this one is tailor-made for you (pun intended), because a Greater Manchester favourite is coming to the city centre.
Better still, you can do your bit for charity whilst you’re at it.
That’s right: Salford’s former but ever superb Charity Super.Mkt is making its way from Media City to central Manchester for the very first time.
Popping up at the Arndale for its city centre debut, Exchange Court will be taken over by a sea of indies and vintage clobber for three whole days.
Credit: Press shot (supplied via Charity Super.Mkt)
Boasting not only some native but even national history, the UK’s first multi-charity pre-loved fashion store boasts countless curated charity finds.
From second-hand gems and desirable denim, to retro and cult favourite football shirts and more, there’ll be plenty to get your hands on – all whilst supporting charities from nearby and all over the country.
Co-founded by Northern designer Wayne Hemingway MBE – whose Red or Dead footwear brand and fashion label began in Afflecks Palace and over on King Street – the Manc roots behind this run deep.
Notably, this upcoming and limited-time-only event marks a significant milestone for the initiative, too, as this will be their biggest activation since their highly successful two-month stint at the Quayside shopping complex.
The popular residency was only relatively short-lived, but it’s safe to say that it was much-loved and well-received by plenty more than just Salfordians.
Getting underway this month, the pop-up will kick off from 9am on Friday, 10 July, running across the entire weekend.
Participating charities include The British Heart Foundation and the RSPCA, who have already seen support through more than 10,000 vintage items being resold in an effort to raise important funds from the Media City pop-up alone.
This also meant that more than three tonnes of textile waste were diverted from landfill, and over 25 tonnes of CO₂ emissions were offset, not to mention upwards of 4,500 cubic metres of water were saved in the process. Brilliant stuff.
Making its maiden appearance in Manchester city centre, this summer’s Charity Super.Mkt at the Arndale is a must-not-miss; you can find the opening times for each of the days down below:
Daisy Bradbury -
30th April 2021 
