In her recently launched book ‘Scarf styling with Shahida’ author and owner of Safiyah Scarves and Accessories, Shahida Salie, shares her fresh approach to this ancient art.

As a Muslim and owner of a fashion accessories boutique, Shahida’s interest in writing a book on scarf styling dates a long way back. She says she was prompted to write the book after she noticed that more and more younger women were donning the hijab and a demand for modern hijab styles were increasing.

Modern Muslim women have become extremely fashionable and stylish and are very particular about how they dress. “The scarf or ‘hijab’ play a very important in our religion and the Muslim woman wants to dress trendy without compromising her religious values. I have created styles to suit individuals with different tastes in clothing, for different occasions and have also included bridal styles.

I always had styling ideas, and often used my daughter as a model. I started selling scarves, and made a scrap book for myself to keep all my ideas together,” explains Ms Salie. She started working on the book in 2010, but only started putting everything in motion and making her dream a reality early this year.

Shahida’s book includes step-by-step instructions on how to perform styles for many different occasions. She says that one does not need to buy expensive clothing to look good; rather you can use what you have in the cupboard and make it look totally different with a well-presented and beautifully styled scarf.

“I had been doing scarf demonstrations for four years prior to writing the book. This was an added service to my customers who purchased scarves from me,” explains Shahida. The book is a comprehensive collation of some of these styles created over the years.

Despite the demand for scarves in the market increasing, Shahida says: “In this day and age, not just any scarf will do. It is important that the scarf matches with the outfit.”

She shares the following tips:                                                                                

·         Add accessories, such as long necklaces, bracelets and fashion rings;

·         Add a pretty brooch or bejewelled Alice band

·         Earrings with a matching necklace could be worn with scarf tied to the back;

·         Drape a lace scarf around you and secure with a rose brooch. This creates a soft, vintage look;

·         Experiment with different styles by using scarves of various fabrics, colours prints, shapes, and size. 

·      Experiment with make-up – wear eye pencil or mascara to enhance your eyes and wear a matching lipstick to brighten up your face. 

Shahida’s boutique Safiyah Scarves & Accessories sells fashionable imported scarves, pashminas, exclusive handbags and a wide range of accessories including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, scarf pins, Alice bands, jewellery headpieces,.

She adds: “It was challenging to write this book, that’s the reason it took me four years to complete. It involved a lot of people, such as photographers, editors, make -up artists, and my mentors, who with their expertise helped to make my dream a reality.”

“My biggest challenge was time – because I worked full time, ran a business on the side and being a wife and mother, I was restricted in terms of the time I could spend working on the book.

I kept on postponing it because of time constraints until the end of last year, when I decided to put the Boutique on hold temporarily in order to focus on the book, “she says.

By her own account, Shahida says the book would not have been successful without the vast support she received from her family especially, her husband and children, and her friends.

“This was no one-man show! The support and advice I received from my project coordinator, my mentors, editors, photographer and very importantly, my husband Waseem, who looked after my kids, cooked and held the fort while I was working on the project My models (one of whom was my daughter, In-aam), who unselfishly contributed their time, ideas and support in order to make this happen. I am most grateful to The Almighty for making my dream come true, “she concludes with a smile.

Shahida successfully launched her book recently at the Old Mutual Presentation Room in Pinelands, which saw over 400 people attending. During the launch she showcased different hijab (scarf) styles with models on a runway, along with three other designers who launched their clothing range.

Shahida offers scarf styling workshops at her home-based Boutique, teaching ladies step by step on how to drape the different styles.

The book ‘Scarf Styling with Shahida’ is available at:

·         Vitcare, Kromboom Pharmacy, Rondebosch East

·         The Lounge on Kroomboom, Rondebosch East

·         Shaikhs Exotics, Belgravia Road, Crawford

·         The Deen Store, Lansdowne

·         Sawants, Rylands

·         The Health Philosophy, Howard Centre, Pinelands

·         To Your Health, Kenilworth Centre and many others

For more information about the book or Safiyah Scarves and Accessories contact Shahida on 082 2020 738 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / www.safiyahscarves.co.za

Visit her website:  www.safiyahscarves.co.za