Monday, December 17, 2012

Saya Hijabista-Penjenamaan Wanita Muslimah


Saya Hijabista-Penjenamaan Wanita Muslimah 
oleh KD Ismalasari

Sebagai seorang muslimah, menjadi hijabista bukanlah satu pilihan malah ia adalah satu tanggungjawab yang perlu diambil serius . Berhijab bukanlah kerana saya seorang yang alim, tetapi berhijab kerana saya seorang Muslimah. Berhijab bukan juga kerana fesyen, berhijab kerana perintah Pencipta yang agung, yang Maha Mengetahui apa yang terbaik buat hambaNya. Maka adalah tanggungjawab kita memberi representasi yang sebaiknya melalui segala serbi  agar keindahan Islam itu terserlah melaui penampilan hijabista yang santun namun tegas, yang lembut namun keras, yang sopan namun tangkas, yang merendah diri namun berkeyakinan tinggi, yang bijak mindanya, dan berani tindakannya namun setiap satu tindakan berlandaskan Al-Quran dan Sunnah. Hijabista itu bukan setakat stailo pada fizikalnya, tetapi turut stailo dari segi pertuturannya, pemilihan katanya, pembawakan dirinya, nilai-nilai yang dipegangnya, pemikirannya malahan emosinya. Semuanya membentuk penjenamaan wanita Muslimah.

Apakah itu Penjenamaan Diri

Allah itu Maha Hebat. Allah itu Maha Mengetahui betapa pentingnya penjenamaan diri bagi menaikkan nilai  seseorang hambaNya dan keseluruhan ummah secara amnya. Jika dilihat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w sebelum diangkat menjadi nabi dan rasul lagi, baginda sudah amat dikenali dengan gelaran Al-Amin. Gelaran itu sungguh sinonim dengan baginda kerana apabila orang ingat Al-Amin (jujur dan amanah) maka orang akan ingat baginda.  Kewibawaan, kejujuran dan ketelusan baginda, memberi kredibiliti yang menarik ramai pelanggan. 

Bukan itu sahaja, kerana penjenamaan diri yang hebat itu, kadar bayaran untuk perkhidmatan baginda menguruskan perniagaan juga adalah pada kadar yang lebih tinggi, namun pelanggan beliau tidak kisah untuk membayar kerana mereka tahu, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w pasti akan memberi mereka pulangan yang berganda-ganda berbanding apa yang dilaburkan. Maka melalui penjenamaan yang kuat itu juga, baginda menarik jodohnya dengan seorang wanita bangsawan yang jelita dan berharta serta berkedudukan tinggi. Bukan baginda yang mencari, tetapi jodoh itu datang menawarkan perniagaan serta dirinya sendiri. Itulah Khadijah a.s srikandi Islam yang agung, model contoh Hijabista yang unggul!

Jika kita ingat sesuatu jenama seperti McDonald contohnya, apakah perkataan atau benda yang akan anda kaitkan dengannya? Bagaimana pula jika saya sebut KFC? Apa pula yang akan dikaitkan dengan KFC? Sudah pasti anda akan mengatakan McDonald = fastfood/burger manakala KFC = Ayam Goreng. Jelas bukan? Itu adalah penjenamaan yang kuat kerana dengan jelas kita boleh memahami apa itu KFC dan apa itu McDonald, apa yang mereka tawarkan juga sangat jelas walaupun kedua-duanya adalah restoren makanan segera. Jika saya tanya antara McDonald dan KFC yang mana lebih menjadi pilihan? Saya pasti ramai di antara anda akan menjawab McDonaldlah. Maka  jenama McDonald lebih kuat berbanding KFC.

Jadi bagaimana pula dengan orang? Bagaimana penjenamaan mereka terbentuk? Baik mari kita berbalik kepada Nabi Muhammad s.a.w tadi. Apabila kita berfikir tentang Nabi Muhammad s.a.w, apa yang terlintas di minda kita? Rasul akhir zaman, seorang nabi, seorang pemimpin Islam yang agung, seorang yang amanah, jujur dan baik hati, seorang yang lengkap peribadinya. Jika memikirkan tentang bekas pemimpin negara, Tun Mahathir Mohamed, apa yang anda fikirkan? Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang keempat, seorang yang berpandangan jauh, sinonim dengan Wawasan 2020, KLCC, bijak dan tinggi intelek, lantang bersuara dan pemimpin yang hebat.

Maka penjenamaan diri itu adalah label yang berikan oleh orang kepada kita, tidak dapat dielakkan tetapi kita boleh mengurus penjenamaan diri kita dan mempengaruhi tanggapan orang ramai melalui penjenamaan diri yang berkesan. Penjenamaan diri juga adalah satu perjanjian nilai (values). Jika kita lihat pada Tun Mahathir, penjanjian nilai beliau sangat jelas sebagai seorang pemimpin yang  berwawasan tinggi, direalisasi dengan kereta nasional Malaysia dan pembinaan KLCC.

Identiti Visual

Sesuatu penjenamaan tidak dapat lari dari imej atau visual yang dikaitkan dengannya. Setiap jenama ada identiti visualnya sendiri. Begitu juga dengan penjenamaan diri. 

Kita akan buat eksperimen disini. Saya mahu anda tutup mata seketika dan bayangkan seekor gajah. Buka mata. Adakah anda nampak seekor gajah atau anda nampak perkataan ‘gajah’? Saya yakin majoriti pembaca telah nampak fizikal gajah dan bukannya ejaan ‘gajah’. Itu membuktikan manusia berfikir dengan gambar. 

Jadi, jika kita fikir KFC, apakah imej yang muncul di minda anda? Ayam, Colonel Sanders, dan logo KFC itu sendiri. Oleh sebab itulah setiap perniagaan memiliki logo kerana ia adalah representasi visual perniagaan tersebut. Disitulah pelanggan akan melakukan perkaitan perniagaan dengan imej diminda mereka. 

Bila kita fikirkan tentang penyanyi Yuna, imej gadis Melayu bertudung akan muncul. Bila kita fikirkan JLO, imej pertama yang terlintas adalah seorang penyanyi wanita Hispanik yang seksi  dan berpunggung montok sehingga imej itu turut diabadikan pada rekaan botol pewangi jenama beliau.

Oleh kerana itu juga Islam amat menitik beratkan panduan berpakaian kerana ia adalah identiti visual yang akan membentuk tanggapan pertama orang ramai mengenai Islam dan nilai-nilai yang dipegang oleh penganutnya. 
Jika kita memikirkan tentang muslimah, imej pertama yang akan muncul sudah pasti seorang wanita bertudung, kerana muslimah itu adalah wanita Islam dan panduan berpakaian Islam adalah yang menutup aurat agar terpelihara, dihormati, kelihatan sopan dan tinggi harga dirinya. Jika kita memikirkan seorang hijabista, sudah terang lagi bersuluh, sudah pasti seorang wanita atau gadis yang bertudung juga. Jika dia tidak berhijab, tidak bolehlah digelar ‘hijabista’. 

Seorang penganut ‘Sikh’ akan dikenali melalui turbannya sehinggakan bila beruniform pun turban itu tidak akan ditanggalkan. Begitulah kuatnya pegangan mereka. Jika seorang Muslimah tidak menutup aurat, kita tidak akan jelas yang dia beragama Islam sehinggalah kita bergaul atau berkawan dengannya kerana Muslimah itu tidak semestinya berbangsa Melayu atau Arab sahaja. Apabila kita berhijab lengkap, kita menyampaikan mesej yang kita beragama Islam, kita bangga dengan agama kita, kita wanita terhormat, tidak boleh diperlakukan sewenang-wenangnya, kita ada maruah dan kita wanita berakhlak.

Berhijab itu adalah tuntutan agama kerana ia adalah lambang kesucian Islam. Sebagai ‘hijabista’ kita adalah iklan bergerak buat Islam, kita adalah duta agama dan tanggungjawab itu perlu dilaksanakan dengan sebaiknya. Perlu diingat, janganlah berhijab semata untuk berfesyen atau bertudung tetapi tidak disertakan dengan adab-adabnya kerana ia akan memberikan gambaran yang kurang baik buat Islam. Boleh bergaya tetapi ikutlah batasnya. Bila bergaya, perhatikan juga penggayaan dari segala serbi, komunikasi kita (termasuklah di laman sosial), kawalan emosi kita, tingkah laku kita dan kekuatan minda kita.

Hijab Saya, Jenama Saya

Lauren Booth (seorang aktivis Palestin, wartawan Inggeris dan kakak ipar kepada bekas Perdana Menteri Britain Tony Blair, yang telah memeluk Islam) sewaktu lawatannya ke Malaysia pada tahun 2010, pernah berkata,

“My Hijab is My Brand!”

“Hijab Saya, Jenama Saya!”

Hijab itulah penjenamaan wanita Muslimah. Pakailah ia dengan yakin, berani dan bangga. 

Marilah sama-sama kita berdiri dan dengan rasa kesyukuran berkata, 
“Saya Hijabista, Hijab Saya, Jenama Saya!”

Teruskan semangat ‘hijabista’ di dalam diri anda dan serlahkannya dengan penuh keyakinan.

Friday, November 2, 2012

BRAND THOUGHT: U R UR CAPITAL!


I truly believe YOU ARE YOUR CAPITAL!



 I heard many times from friends, associates, ex-colleagues, students, etc:

'I want to do business but I don't have the capital, I don't have the cash...'

'I hate my job, I wish I could quit and stay home with my kids, but the money doesn't allow it!'

'In the dream world, I would love to go globetrotting, spend on things I like without having to worry about money...'

Well, my answers would be, why don't you?

'I'm just not as brave as you...'

The money, the capital is not the problem. Your fear is  holding you back. The truth is we all have fears. My fears still hold me back or delay me from doing stuff. The real capital that you've forgotten is yourself. The capital is YOU!

OPEN MOUTH, OPEN SHOP


I dare say this because I've done many businesses in my life and most of the times, I have been the capital. If I don't have enough money to start, I will attract the people who will invest in me or basically I'll just start with what I have. My mouth.

Yes, my mouth! The Malays have a saying "Modal air liur, je!" meaning your saliva is the only capital you need.

A lot of my mentors would say, "Open mouth, open shop!"

SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE WITH YOUR WORLD

So true, all you have to do is just share your knowledge, your expertise, your advice, your skills, with your world, not the world, but your world to begin with: your friends, your neighbors, your relatives, your siblings, etc. 

What I usually do, if I have a product to offer, I will share about it. Sharing is caring, through sharing we share our values, we share our belief, our passion, our care and in the process we sell ourselves. I won't lock my money in stock. I take orders, I conduct workshops, I provide solutions.

If your skill and passion is baking, so you share on that. You share your skill (or your cake). No money to buy oven well, steam it then, use the pot or borrow somebody's oven. Give free testing & collect orders.That's what my mom did, and she got a total of 5 cake orders in one day! You are providing solutions by producing quality, great tasting no skimming on ingredients cakes and pastries. Maybe teach others how to bake the cake. Use your kitchen to start teaching.

When I don't have makeup to conduct my Brand Image hands-on workshop, I get good Makeup company (the company and product has to be good because it'll reflect my personal brand value on quality) to sponsor the make-up. In return, I provide values to the company by sharing and endorsing their great products, I share values with my clients by giving them a hands-on experience, how to skills that they can use immediately to improve their lives (instead of just merely a demo), they get to buy good, quality products to solve their daily needs and the company make money from there, gets exposure and I make money from sharing my expertise. Now, I'm partnering with FM Cosmetics and MAKNA (the cancer foundation) for my next workshop sessions, where you can learn how to become a Personal Color & Makeup Coach yourself, which I'll announce later in my next post on this blog.


WE HAVE ENOUGH, WE ARE ENOUGH

What else could be your skills? Teaching English? Start coaching people on how to speak English. Many people especially in Malaysia have challenges communicating in English. Offer you service, start coaching adults. You can charge higher fees rather than just conducting tuition for exam preparation for kids. You can conduct your coaching even in a cafe or Starbucks or Kinokuniya Bookstore Cafe in KLCC where you can be surrounded with so many reference books. So see, you don't need a lot to start, you start with yourself, you start with what you have.

Okay, now you probably think, hey, what about marketing? Use YOUR MOUTH (for a start)! That's a better way to use the mouth than just gossiping isn't it? Share with everyone you meet what you do. Don't be afraid to share. You're only sharing. Stop thinking you're not good enough, or you're not slim enough, or not pretty enough, or not competent enough, or not having enough time, or not fit enough, or not having enough money, or just not enough. We have enough! This 'not enough' mindset creates an emotional barrier in our life that blocks our energy system. It's a pattern that we have to break. When there's blockage in our energy system it'll manifest itself into the real world, into our lives in the form of health problem, lack of peace, money drained out although we make a lot, relationship challenges etc. 

Allah says, 'Be grateful, and I will give you more'. And more you will receive when you start having gratitude. It forms an abundance feeling inside you, where the feeling will go beyond 'enough' into overflowing. One of late uncles taught me to pray and ask God in this manner:

"Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim, grant and bless me with overflowing HALAL abundance till it reaches heaven."

Try it, and instantly feel the overflowing feeling of abundance sweeps right through you. At the end, that is our ultimate goal, to enter 'Jannah' and meet Allah.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Start networking, join groups, positive groups. You need that support because, there's a lot of negativity out there ready to attack you, when you decide to embark on this journey of  'The Road Less Traveled'! However, it's a journey worth taking, it's a journey of your calling, it's a journey where you began to use YOU (finally!) as the CAPITAL to attract abundance into your life. Abundance doesn't mean just material wealth. Abundance in my personal definition would be the blessings from Allah, who gives peace in our heart, who provides 'enough'ness in our life, who gets rid of our fears and worries, who gives us happiness...true happiness.

GIVING YOUR HEART, GIVING YOUR BEST



The Capital is YOU, and deep within you lies a buried treasure that would be your biggest capital, YOUR HEART. Now, all those sharing I said earlier, would be a waste when it doesn't come from your heart, the birth place of all intentions. Now you know why Allah said to start with your intention.

One of my favorite mentor is my energy wellness mentor, Dr. Ramesh. One thing he taught me was: when I want to breathe, I must breathe from the heart, when I speak, I speak from the heart, when I start a healing treatment with my clients, I must bring my focus to the heart then only begin my action. When I start praying, I pray from the heart.

 "Every time," he said, "you must bring your focus to your heart", 

and you'll find yourself fully PRESENT, fully involved, fully genuine with sincere intention to bring values to the people you meet. You find yourself, giving your best, you find yourself giving your heart and that's the best feeling of all!

BELIEVE THAT U R UR CAPITAL! START SHARING 'YOU' WITH YOUR WORLD & BEYOND.

Till next time, stay true to the Muslim Style & Brand!

xoxox-KD Ismalasari




Thursday, November 1, 2012

BRAND THOUGHT: My Journey to Hijabi

WHY?

Many asked me why I decided to wear the hijab (FINALLY, Alhamdulillah!). They asked,

"Is it because, you've moved to a location that is quite Islamic?"
"Did your husband force you?"
"Oh, I know, because everyone in Bangi wears it, right..?"
"Why?"
 "Why?"
 "Why?"
"Why now?"

My answer would you usually be very short, "Because.... it's about time,"

HOW IT STARTED

I wasn't a hijabi for a long, long time, shamefully speaking. I was at one point, then I took it off, now I'm wearing for good, Insya Allah. May Allah gives me strength to continuously do so.

So, I understand, I totally do, if you haven't cross over yet. I was once in your shoes. I first put the hijab when I went to a religious school in my hometown, Seremban.I was thirteen. I wasn't forced, I did not feel that I was forced. It was a totally voluntary act. Of course it was the school's regulation, but I was happy to oblige.

Despite being okay with it, this other part of me that loves beauty, and fashion and style would somehow questioned my action.

"Did you do it because it was the school's regulation?"
"Are you really doing it for Allah?"
"Are you really ready?"
"Don't you want to still style your hair and wear those gorgeous outfits?"

I looked in magazines or went to the mall and saw gorgeous clothes and began to imagine myself in them. Then, I would remind myself that it's sinful and it's not right and I would question myself again, 'Are you really doing it for Allah?' 'Are you wearing Hijab for the right reason?'.

Well, I continued to wear and having this tug of war in myself for 5 years.

I wore the hijab when I was thirteen and took it off when I was eighteen. I just took it off. I wasn't really sure what happened, I just stepped out of my house that day with my hair uncovered. I said to myself that I want to be totally sure that when I put it on the next time, it wasn't because of anyone, anything or any other reasons other than God. Not the school regulations, not my parents, not my friends, not my siblings, not even my husband can make me if I'm not totally sure that I'm doing it for the right reason. One reason, and only one. Allah.

At times I was really, really over revealing. I'm pretty embarrassed looking back at some of the clothes I put on! See throughs, Bare backs, Sleeveless Spaghetti Straps, tubes, ultra tight body hugging, skirts with high slit, really, what was I thinking!

In that journey of arriving to that feeling of certainty and sincerity, the choice I made of taking the hijab off obviously wasn't the wisest decision. Looking back, I now realize that it had gotten me on a path of lost. I suppose there were people I would not have met (people I wasn't suppose to meet, anyway) if I had my hijab on. There were places, I wouldn't have gone (like the night clubs, etc) if my hijab was still intact. There were things, I would not have committed had I held strong to the command. I was lost and continuously to be on that path for quite a while. Fourteen years to be exact.

THE BLESSINGS I RECEIVED DESPITE OF...

Despite of all the sins I've committed, Allah still granted me with so many blessings in my life. I want a great husband who accepts me the way I am, and supports my dreams, Allah granted that. He flew Adam (my hubby) across the continent who proposed to me even without knowing how I looked like. I want to be a business woman. He granted that. I want to run and own a consultancy and language center, that's exactly what He gave me. Then, why oh, why couldn't I just do this simple command that He asked me? Why was it so difficult for me to just put a piece of cloth to cover my hair and my modesty?

Honestly, I really don't know the answer. I wasn't sure what's stopping me from doing so all these while. Maybe I have a subconscious fear that I would not look so nice, or maybe I was afraid that I would take it off again, or I given the sins I've committed, I wouldn't do the hijab justice, or I'm not good enough to wear it, in fact maybe I was afraid that I would tarnish the Muslimah brand and won't be able to represent it well.

Really, up till now, I still was't sure why? One thing I was sure back then is whatever happens, I always have Allah and somehow, some way He will always guide me and show me the way and I never once deny that covering yourself is a compulsory act commanded by Allah.I did not doubt that command nor question it. What I was questioning was my sincerity towards Him.

I wish I hadn't taken that long to put it back on. I wish I hadn't even take it off. I wish others would come to realization much sooner than I was. I wish, I could erase all those 14 years of sinning, I wish I had represented Islam better. I wish...

THE MORNING GOD SPOKE TO ME

It was a very routine morning. I went to the office, sat at the table and began going through my schedule and plan for the day. I had Tots' class that day at noon. A week before, I met a trainer and a coach who introduced to us the the real meaning and the success principles behind the Surah Al-Fatihah. His name is Fazrul Ismail. He introduced to us the C.A.S.I.C (Connect, Acknowledge, Serve, Inquire & Choices) concept in Al-Fatihah. His sharing with us triggered my curiosity to learn more about it.That's what I did that morning. Something in me somehow made me go to the book rack and pulled out the book 'Tafsir & Fadhilat Al-Fatihah' by Dr Fatma El Zahra. I had it for quite sometime but I never read it, not even flip through it until that fateful morning.

IHDINASSIRATAL MUSTAQIM-Guide Us on the Straight Path

It's funny how we pray every single time, 5 times a day and we ask God 17 times daily to guide us to the straight path. That's what struck me that morning when I reached that verse. I've asked God all those years through Al-Fatihah to guide me. The funny thing is He did, very, very patiently I believe (when it comes to me) but I chose to turn away from those guidance. I chose to take it off when I was eighteen. So every time recited the Al-Fatihah I was asking Him to guide me, yet when He guided me, I didn't follow, so I thought, how much longer do I want to go astray? The path of lost, the path of His anger!

That morning I read the translation and the Tafsir. Somehow, I felt God's love and mercy. I did not feel His anger. I felt as if He was speaking and addressing me directly. I felt so sad thinking how I neglected His command, how I've ill treated myself, how all the answers I've been looking for is in Al-Fatihah, how ignorant I was despite all the education I received, how small I was. I cried, and cried and cried and cried. I just couldn't stop. Verse 1-7, 17 Times. This is the SECRET. The real SECRET of life.

Then, it was time to get ready for the class. I went up to change my clothes. I said to myself, I'll wear the hijab tomorrow. I looked in the mirror for the last time before going down to the class. That was the point when the voice inside me said,

 'You've asked God for the right path, He guided you today and bring you back, why do you still want to disobey?'

It's true, he awakened me that day from my long, dark sleep. This cannot wait till tomorrow, I told myself. I ruffled through some scarves that I already own but never put on. Found one that I liked and immediately wrapped it around my head. For the first time in a long..... time, I felt free. I felt light. I felt liberated, and I felt    strong. I felt like a heavy burden was lifted off me. I felt peace.

THE FIRST DAY OF MY 'NEW' LOOK

That day I quickly took a photo of myself to mark the first day of my 'new' look and posted it on FB. My purpose for doing so was to declare to the world, so that I won't go back to my old way, so that I won't back off from my decision. The tremendous support I received was amazing, even from my non Muslim friends! I thank Allah everyday for that extraordinary ordinary  morning. The morning He took the time to speak to me. The morning, he brought me back to Siratal mustaqim..




                                                                 Alhamdulillah.

Till then, stay true to your Muslim Style & Brand!

KD Ismalasari





Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Bring out the Diamond in YOU-5 Workshops & A wedding Part 2

Hello everyone, after such a long.....pause, here's the 2nd part.


I arrived in Malacca late, and we settled into Hallmark Inn hotel which luckily I booked earlier as Malacca was quite packed that weekend due to the school holiday. Everyone wants to go to Malacca. Who doesn't? It's one of the heritage city in the world. You can still see buildings dated many centuries ago being preserved well. I used to stay there for three years from 6+ to 9 years old. My dad was then, the principal of Muzaffar Syah boarding school. When he came, it was still SM Sains Melaka, but he requested to change the name to Muzaffar Syah, one of the Sultans of Malacca and the state government and the ministry agreed so, the name remains till now. By the way, if you ever come to Malacca, I strongly recommend this hotel. The staff are SUPERB, very kind, considerate and attentive. The pricing is also very reasonable. I'll definitely stay there again.



Hallmark Inn off Jalan Portugese


Well I was invited by UITM Melaka to give a talk to their final year students from the Business Faculty before they go out for their internship. Thank you to their concerned lecturer Pn. Nor Hamiza who saw the need for the students to rebrand their image before they step out into the job market or the entrepreneurial world (since they are students from business faculty).


So, the title of the workshop I was assigned to conduct is,


"Image Rebranding for the New Professionals".



My original proposal was:


"Brand Your Image, Up Your CV".


Anyway, either way, the objective's the same, to get these students to polish their image and rebrand themselves as a professional and indirectly that will enhance their CVs further.


The program consists of 2 parts. The mass talk and the hands-on workshop. The talk was given to about 100 students, where they were divided into 5 groups later for the makeover workshop.




We arrived (my partner & I) in UITM that morning still on time despite getting lost a bit. We saw this glorious 'Royal Purple' building from far. This was my first time coming to UITM Melaka. Well, I'm impressed with the facilities and the smoothness of their sound system as well as the projector and stuff. I don't have to worry about the set up cause with just one wire connection, everything's linked. For a techical challenged person like, that means a lot!


THE TALK



THE '3 Cs DIAMOND QUALITY' SYSTEM

There are many things I would like to share with them, however I summarized the whole thing into 3 steps process for developing your brand and image.


At the end of the day, you want to be seen as Credible, Charismatic & Confident and to do that you've got to have CLARITY, Know your CUT to create a distinct and standout visual identity, and identify your COLORS. Let's go through one by one.


A. CLARITY


Here's a thought before we proceed further:



These are a few questions to get you and others focus. In business it's always about creating your niche. It's better to focus then doing everything. Focus provides the clarity. If you don't stand out among the crowd and others are not sure what you're about, then you'll get drowned.


We can learn from American Idol. In the show, the judges, especially Randy, always stress to the contestants, "What are you about? We need to know who you are," or " I can't feel you..blablablabla" and the list goes on. It is so important for people to get you , and it is most important for YOU to get YOU! When you get you, the others will get you and a whole world of opportunity opens up..Why? Because when people gets you, they know who to go to for a certain something, and if you stand out the better because you don't have to work so hard to get people to notice you and to hear you out.


Let's see if you have the answers to these questions. This is a FOCUS TEST to give better clarity.

1. Who are you?


2. What are your values?


3. What do you do?


4. Why does it matter?



B. CUT


Create a strong visual identity.


  • Know what's unique about you physically and use it

  • Create/Identify a Signature look

  • Find out your body shape & work with it

  • Find out your Style Personality

I will elaborate further on this in my future post because it's quite a lot to elaborate on each point. For Muslims, we already have a strong visual identity to begin with, the ladies-our hijab and for men-the beard (I will have a post on beard later). These are our assets already, and it's already speaking for us without us having to open our mouth.


Now, look at the 2 prominent figures below and identify their visual identities. It's pretty obvious.




C. COLORS

I'm actually very passionate about colors because it's part of life. Imagine one day you wake up and your world is just black and white. How dull...Colours affect our emotions, our lives, our energy level.


In LANGUAGE POWERHOUSE, the language centre that I co-own, we have a room with multiple color curtains. This classroom is used when we want to do mainly lots of movement activities with the students. The furniture in the reception area is mainly in orange, beige and light yellow. Orange increases energy and positivity.


I'd like to share a video by one of the Personal Branding gurus , William Arruda. I think it's a brilliant video, "What Color is Your Brand". You can catch it on You Tube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DohoPavchc


Then, you also need to find which color categories do you fall under. Are you warm or are you cool? The right colors will make you look younger, brighter, slimmer, and more radiant while the wrong colors will add age, make you look haggard, darker or drown you totally. Have a proper color analysis done. In my workshop, each participant will find out his or her color category and they will also learn to train their eyes to spot the right color harmony. The key is t o have HARMONY & BALANCE. The colors should enhance you instead of drowning you. You must wear the colors not let the colors wear you.


Look at the picture below and see if you can tell which is warm and which is cool.


If you are warm and you're wearing a cool scarf/hijab, the color will drown you, and your face will not stand out. For hijabis out there it is more important to identify the right colors because the scarf is so close to the face. The good news though, we can still wear the other group because we have a hijab on our head and the blouse or the top comes after the hijab so it's not directly affecting our personal color harmony. The hijab however, has to be in the right color.


So, there you have it, the 3 Cs to bring out the Diamond in you! CLARITY, CUT & COLOR. The next part, I will share with you what I covered in the hands-on workshop session where we had SILKYGIRL - Malaysia's NO.1 Cosmetic Brand as our make-up sponsor and SERIMEL MAX as our natural health & skincare product sponsor for the skincare and daily health regime, because beauty is about being healthy. So, till we meet again, stay true to the Muslim Style & Brand. YOU R YOUR CAPITAL!



Sunday, March 20, 2011

Style Thought: 5 Workshops & A Wedding Part 1

Assalammualaiikum & Hello again.

It's been real hectic lately, yet very productive. Apology for not writing sooner. First of all 'Congratulations!' to a very dear friend, Hafitah Baharuddin.

Hafitah's 'hantaran' or wedding gifts to the groom as in Malay wedding culture
where bride & groom exchange wedding gifts.

She got married the day before my seminar in UITM Melaka at her parents' house in Seremban which is also my home town. Her parents' house is actually very near to one of my previous schools, SMKA Sheikh Haji Mohd Said (I went to a total of 6 schools from Kindergarten to Secondary). The students and the teachers fondly call it 'SHAMS' now. It's an Islamic religious school.

I learned quite a lot in this school especially in reading and reciting the Quran. I suppose, my late dad had this worry that his daughter might turn out 'wild', (hahahhaha!!) since we just came back from States at that time. I guess, if I were him, I would too. I am the eldest daughter, and I remember at the age of 10 years plus, I already asked him if it's okay to have a boyfriend. That must have really scared the hell out of him.

Anyway, back to my friend's wedding. I wasn't able to attend the reception which was held the next day due to my seminar. So, I ended up coming to her 'nikah' session instead. For Christians, it's like the session when the bride and groom exchanging their wedding oath.

I arrived at her parents' house around 1pm plus, that Friday the 11th and this Hafitah was still eating her lunch! She looked so.......cool for a bride to be, (hahahahha)! I said,

'You better be quick cause I have to rush back home, complete my powerpoint presentation for my Melaka seminar, then go to Melaka'.

You know what she said,

'Can I finish 2 more 'suap'? '.

'Suap' is like the equivalent of 'spoonful'. We Malays eat with our bare hands when we eat rice, so when we say 'suap', it's like saying another spoonful but actually it's the act of putting the food into our mouth with our bare hands. That means instead of spoonful, it would be like handful? Oh, well, I think you do get the picture. So, I suppose, we better let the bride eat her food cause it was going to be a long day and a long weekend.

It was a very rushed and tiring day for me too as I didn't sleep the whole night trying to complete my powerpoint presentation. I only went to bed at 6:30am after the Subuh prayer that morning but I could never miss Hafitah's wedding. Not in my life, ever. She's one of my good friends and a home girl. To miss her wedding is like a BIG SIN, plus, I'm her make-up artist for that day. How can she be a bride if her make-up artist isn't there? That was also a chance for me to sharpen my make-up skills. Thanks for that opportunity and trust, Fitah!

So, like they always said, the bride should have something old, something new and something borrowed. Well, since I wasn't able to attend her reception, my wedding gift to her was 'the make-up', the 'hijab inner' and the 'outer hijab' itself, but not the veil though. So there you go, everything was NEW, but our friendship, that's VERY OLD...


Fitah without Make-Up

I finished doing her make-up, putting on the hijab and the veil on her at around 3pm or so. You can still be beautiful and remain true to the Muslim identity on your wedding day without taking off the hijab. By right, as Muslimahs we're not suppose to pluck our eyebrows too. So, in order for me to shape her eyebrows, I used a thicker type of foundation to conceal some of the eyebrows' hair before applying the eyebrow liner.

I used two 3 types of foundation; one for the base colour, a lighter one for the forehead, chin, nose, the brow bones and under the eyes and the darker one for shading. Same goes to the powder. Instead of loose powder, I used 2 Way Foundation for a more flawless effect. Three different colours as well. The final touch was a very light brush of glittered loose powder on the cheek bones, the chin and a hint on the bridge of her nose.

For her eyelashes, I think I applied like 5 to 6 coats of mascara to give volume and length. I wanted to use the fake eyelashes but I couldn't locate them at that time. I think the mascara was better too since Hafitah's eyes are quite sensitive. She might be allergic to the glue if I applied the fake lashes. Even then we had to rest the eyes a few times because they got watery a lot.

Fitah during the 'Akad' Ceremony
The handsome groom arrived at about 3:30pm or was it 4pm, wasn't really sure, cause I was so hungry. When he arrived, I was busy eating with my mom who accompanied me that whole time. I didn't stay for the whole ceremony. I had to go back sooner and prepare for my Melaka trip.

Before I left, I said to Hafitah,

'Fitah, don't cry, cause I won't be here to do touch up, I'm leaving now..'

Actually, I was the one feeling emotional. If I didn't leave soon, I'll be the one crying. There's something about the 'akad nikah' ceremony that makes me feel touched, happy, yet sad at the same time. The sight of her with her dad was also touching. It reminded me of my late dad. I'm glad my dad was there to witness my wedding and only passed away two years later. Had I married later, he won't be around anymore. I think as a father, her dad must have felt very sad to let his eldest daughter go. I wonder what my dad felt on my wedding?

Fitah with Dad

I left Hafitah that day feeling satisfied that I had done my best and gave everything from the heart. But my day was not over yet. I rushed home and started packing for my Melaka trip. I had to go back to the centre in Bandar Seri Putra because there were some stuff I forgot to pack a long like the most important tools for the 'Image Rebranding' workshop - the Colour Wheels (for the Colour Analysis and Consultation session). Of all the things to forget.....Anyway it was an easier pick up point for my partner too. So, instead of waiting in Seremban at my mom's house, my husband and I drove back to Seri Putra, and I continued my work on the lap top while waiting for Aida (my partner) to arrive.



Fitah & Parents
However, the highlight of the day came that night at around 8 or 9pm. I received an sms from Hafitah that read:

'Thanks for everything. U made me look like a million bucks!'

Fitah & Me



Fitah & colleagues

Don't thank me, THANK YOU Hafitah, for your trust in me..and for those years of friendship. Alhamdulillah! I was so..relieved that she loved her look! To be able to make someone feel and look like a million bucks, was PRICELESS...

Then again, we always forget that each and everyone of us does worth that much and more. Each and everyone of us is beautiful and perfect because we are Allah's creation and there is no flaw in His creation. Our task is to take care of the gifts he gave us. The gift of life, our body, our sight and everything else..Our task is to live this life true to our purpose as Khalifah on this earth.

Well, signing off for this part one, and stay tune for part two. As always, stay true to ourselves, and stay true to the Muslim Style and Brand.






















Saturday, March 5, 2011

STYLE THOUGHT:STYLE THROUGH YOUR VISUAL IDENTITY



Hi! I've been wanting to write sooner but things has been quite hectic lately. I do hope you've all been fearless and fabulous throughout and remain true to the Muslim Style and Brand.

I've successfully conducted my MODESTY IN STYLE WORKSHOP for the first time, yesterday. It was great! I forgotten to take their before photos. Sorry bout that, I'll remember to do it next time, or I'll post it later when they email me their previous photos.

MODESTY IN STYLE WORKSHOP Participants after the make-up session

Participants learned about:
  • PERSONAL BRANDING & HIJAB ETIQUETTE
  • PERSONAL STYLE
  • HIJAB STYLE (which took quite awhile and I underestimated the time requires for this session as I consulted each participant one by one on the suitable hijab style in accordance with their face shape & personal style)
  • COLOR CONSULTATION
  • STEP BY STEP PERSONAL MAKE UP SESSION
AIN
AMIRA
(After the make-up session. The purpose is not to change you but to enhance you)

The whole workshop lasted 7 hours from 11am - 7pm with a break in the middle. We supposed to end at 5pm but I guess we were all so engrossed into it. One of the things I emphasized in this workshop is our brand as Muslim ladies. Our personal brand must reflects first and foremost our Muslim identity. Then we can integrate our personal style into it.

MADIHA
SITI HAWA

Our visual identity is a very powerful communication. More than 55% of the first impression is influenced by visual. After all, human beings think in pictures. Let's do an experiment, follow my instructions:

'Close your eyes. I want you to think of a cat. Now open your eyes.'

Tell me, did you see a cat in its physical form or did you see the word 'c a t'? I'm sure all of you would say that you saw the physical form a cat. We don't think in words, we think in pictures.
So, like it or not our image and style is an essential part of our lives, so important that Allah provided us with dressing guidelines, and made the 'hijab' compulsory for us ladies.

Let me give you examples of how visual identity works:
  • How do we recognize McDonald? The Golden Arches or the golden M.
  • What's JLO's visual identity? Her famous rear and you can also see this identity reflected in the design of her perfume bottle, slim on top and full at the bottom.
  • What's Anthony Fernandes, Air Asia founder's visual identity? His red cap with the Air Asia logo printed on it.
  • What's the Muslimah's identity? The HIJAB, first, then her own personal style integrated into it so that it'll be uniquely hers.
  • So, what's my visual identity? It's MY HIJAB worn with a brooch at the side, usually on the left side of my head, that says I'm a Muslimah, I value style, I love fashion, I love to look good but I love my religion more and will not sacrifice it for anything else.
Can you see my brooch?

So, never say your image is not important and what counts is the inside. People wouldn't know your inside unless it is well communicated on the outside and Allah will not order the hijab if image is not important.

What's your visual identity?


Thursday, February 24, 2011

BRAND THOUGHT: MY HIJAB IS MY BRAND

My sister Khairolin, shared with me an article in the Malaysian 'KOSMO' newspaper about the talk done by Lauren Booth a well known British journalist, an activist for the Palestinian struggle and a new Muslim revert. Interestingly, she's also the sister in law for ex Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair.


Booth dressed in black attire, gave a talk about 'My Journey to Islam' at the Public Service Golf Club, in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. She embraced Islam in September 2010, Masha Allah.

What caught my attention about this article is the fact that Booth said,

'My Hijab, is My Brand'

That is so...true. That has always been the message that I'm trying to impart through this blog. As Muslim women, the hijab is our first and foremost communication to the public that clearly declare we're Muslims. It is our brand and visual identity.

Sadly, the hijab identity especially in the western world has been associated with terrorism, oppression, violence and inequality.

Booth added when you wear your hijab it is important to 'smile' as people in the west, when they see a troubled looking hijabi would quickly assume that you've been abused by your husband. I couldn't agree more.

I always do the 'smiling' exercise with my workshop participants because a smile would just increase the energy of a person and the energy of everyone around him or her. It would also increase confidence.

Wear your hijab proudly and smile. It shows that we are friendly and approachable but at the same time we do have our limits. It shows that we're stylish yet modest, we're fearless as well as fabulous. We are Muslimahs.


Salute to our Muslim sisters in the west who remain fearless and fabulous despite all odds. Let's all stand together and declare this proudly, 'MY HIJAB IS MY BRAND!'

To read the article on KOSMO (it's in Malay) please go to this link: