Yasmin's designs bring fashion to the world ...

A Wigan fashionista has broken onto the global scene with a pioneering clothing range to cater for all races and religions.
Images from the UNDER-RAPT lookbookImages from the UNDER-RAPT lookbook
Images from the UNDER-RAPT lookbook

Yasmin Sobeih, 26, from Standish, launched her modest sportswear range at this year’s “Muslim Lifestyle Show” in London after securing financial backing from the Government.

“UNDER-RAPT”, Yasmin’s athleisure brand was derived from the fashion graduate’s love for Eastern and Western culture and an idea that she developed whilst studying for her Masters’ degree in fashion buying and merchandising at London College of Fashion.

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Through the use of sustainable fabric, which comes from self-rejuvenating Austrian Beechwood trees, Yasmin has created the first global environmentally-conscious modest sportswear brand.

Yasmin (right) at the Muslim Lifestyle Show in LondonYasmin (right) at the Muslim Lifestyle Show in London
Yasmin (right) at the Muslim Lifestyle Show in London

“The idea of the brand is that it is accessible fashion and sportswear to everyone,” she said. “With over-sized forms and products that feature fitted hooded base layers it can be worn to cover the hair as hijab or for non-muslims to keep hair secure to maximise sport performance as well as being fashion and trend driven.”

Yasmin, who is Muslim and half-Egyptian, has travelled across the globe researching her brand as well as living in Egypt where women pay high-prices for fashionable sportswear.

She added: “As a keen fitness enthusiast I noticed that a lot of my friends and family who preferred to wear a scarf or cover when working out either was very uncomfortable with their Hijab always falling off, or always uncomfortably hot with layering clothes and always had to spend a lot on sportswear to cover themselves.

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“I have not named it Hijab. I have named it “hooded” I do not want to limit my audience whatsoever. Ladies will need to keep their hair up, it’s hygienic and it’s performance enhancing. It’s easy to wear for sport but it’s fashion-led at the same time.”

Yasmin (right) at the Muslim Lifestyle Show in LondonYasmin (right) at the Muslim Lifestyle Show in London
Yasmin (right) at the Muslim Lifestyle Show in London

The innovative brand received Government backing ahead of its launch at the “Modest Fashion Week” over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Yasmin applied for the start-up business loan from the Government to go towards her first collection, which she hopes to have on sale in the coming weeks.

She added: “Companies are only accepted if they believe that the business will be of contribution to society or country and have a strong business plan and future prospect.”

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Since the Muslim Lifestyle Show, the future is looking even brighter for the young entrepreneur, who is keen to crack a market that is so-far open for business.

“The show was amazing,” she said. “I was the only modest sportswear brand to exhibit and to participate in the fashion show so a lot of attention and focus was on UNDER-RAPT. The response I received was overwhelming.

“The interest from customers and industry professionals such as retail buyers, journalists and other designers was amazing. I have received a great amount of interest and support, and since the show gained a lot of recognition.

“It was such a fantastic experience and really highlighted the growth and demand in the fashion retail market for modest wear. I can’t wait for next year.”