The Halal Project: Nob Designs’ Latest Collection Celebrates Tolerance and Co-Existence

Known for their out-of-the-box designs, Egyptian brand, Nob Designs, is all about creating thought-provoking collections that retain an element of quirk and trendiness, and their latest collection, The Halal Project, is no different. Aiming to spread a message of peaceful co-existence and tolerance, founder Ahmed Nabil has drawn on his own personal experiences and looked to his surroundings for inspiration.

Placing veiled women side by side with non-veiled women, as well as those wearing burkas, the collection is about accepting each other regardless of our differences. It doesn’t just extend to women though, as Nabil aims to include all genders, all nationalities and all mentalities.

“This projects is about co-existing. It doesn’t matter how someone is dressed or how they think. What matters is accepting each other regardless of what sets us apart. I chose the veiled, the burka-covered and the unveiled models because those are the most common examples we find in Egypt," says Nabil. “But it's not just about them, it’s about everyone. The empty chair in the photo shoot symbolises that there are so many more examples of people who are different from each other and that we need to be inclusive of and accepting towards.”

Designing a burka with embellished designs, Nabil further emphasises this mentality of freedom of expression regardless of how or what it is we choose to express.

“This collection isn’t about religion. It’s simply to inspire a sort of 'live and let live' mentality. I mean, I've been in situations before when I wasn't accepted for what I chose. For example, I've heard unpleasant comments several times simply for the way I chose to dress," says Nabil. "At the same token, when I decided to fast for Ramadan, I was also made fun of even though it's a personal choice and I'm not affecting anyone. I think regardless of whatever you choose to do, you should be accepted as you are.”

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