Letter from the CEO

CEO Melanie Elturk 

The World's Best Hijabs for the World's Most Powerful Women

When I started this company over ten years ago, my motivation was simple. I wanted to elevate the experience of hijab for every woman who chooses to wear one. In my own personal journey with hijab and faith, I came to understand the incredible power Muslim women hold; the invisible force-field that comes from within and the long line of distinguished Muslim women upon whose shoulders we stand.

 When I read the stories of Nusbaiba bint Ka'b, Al Khansa, Fatima Al-Fihri, Lubna of Cordoba, Nana Asma’u and others, it changed me – I had a newfound perspective on Muslim women in Islam. A well of pride, distinction and power, was birthed within me, and I understood the weight of what it meant to be a Muslim woman in the world. We come from a long line of leaders, innovators, educators, warriors, artists, caregivers and scholars. They were outspoken, thoughtful and highly ambitious. They didn't wait around for men to tell them what to do. They leaned in to their relationship with their Creator and took action. They lived meaningful lives, fueled by their gifts and potent purpose of serving God.

What I learned is this: When a woman knows who she is and what she's capable of, fueled by the certainty of la illaha illAllah, nothing can stop her. 

And that's the truth about power. There's no one definition, no single path. It's the multitude of paths we all lead, fueled by our purpose in life. It's the conviction that with God's help, we can do anything. With Him by my side, I can take on the world.

Today is no different. American Muslim women are of the most highly educated female religious groups in the country with the highest degree of economic gender parity. We come in all colors, shapes and sizes. We occupy space in every country across the globe. Muslim women make up some of the most visible Muslims in the world occupying politics, academia, medicine, fashion, sports and media. 

We are not beholden to the mold society would rather we conform to. We obey our Creator, not what society expects of us. We adhere to our own code with the strength of Islam propelling us forward. We get our hands dirty and we're not afraid to speak up when others prefer we stay silent. We are the leaders of real change.

And we understand we have work to do. The motivation to start Haute Hijab ten years ago is just as important today as it ever was. In the face of challenges plaguing our world today, we consider it an honor to serve the Muslim woman by providing her with products, meaningful experiences and resources to improve her relationship with hijab, expand her mind, enrich her life and nourish her soul. We will continue the legacy of Muslim women who have come before us and embrace the responsibility to move the world forward as we elevate this community. We can do this because we operate from that well of strength and power inside us all.

After all, we are the world's most powerful women.