Designer Murceelyn Peerzada pioneers "healthy abaya" fashion

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
May 30, 2018

The Indian designer Murceelyn Peerzada has launched a line of abayas that are designed to let in UV rays to combat Vitamin D deficiency amongst wearers and will soon launch a “modest wear” line in the same fabric.

Peerzada’s modest wear label launched last year when it also made its debut at Dubai Modest Fashion Week. The label makes a range of abayas including designs that let in UV light. Peerzada decided to create these “Healthy Abayas” in response to the high rates of Vitamin D deficiency among abaya wearers as reported by the Dubai Health Authority and Riyadh’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.

“[We sometimes] wear two layers of clothing when we go out — regular clothes and an abaya on top,” Peerzada told Arab News. “That doesn’t let the sunrays penetrate through to our skin and can lead to a deficiency or increase the risk.” By using Microsolv cloth, a light and porous fabric that lets in UV rays, Peerzada says that she has come up with a solution to this problem.

The “Healthy Abaya” line is already in stores and soon a “modest wear” line using the Microsolv textile will be added. Peerzada’s modest wear has already shown alongside her abayas on the runway in Dubai and now similar designs will be available using the “healthy” textile.

Previously an actress, Murceelyn Peerzada felt called to fully pursue her Islamic faith and became a female orator at the Islamic Relief Fund (IRF). Peerzada decided to become a fashion designer and went on to work for Manish Malhotra among others. Peerzada launched her eponymous label in 2017 and it is currently available in India and the Middle East.