How Kazna Asker is Rewriting Fashion’s Narrative Through Faith, Culture, and Community

In next weeks episode of The Big DEI, host Daniel Peters sits down with Kazna Asker, a British-Yemeni designer shaking up the fashion world by fusing modest Islamic wear with streetwear. Fresh off her striking London Fashion Week showcase in February 2024, Asker’s designs challenge the norms around race, gender, faith, and identity.

Kazna’s work isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about stories. Her fashion draws from her upbringing in Sheffield, where contrasts like aunties in hijabs and sons in Nike tracksuits sparked her imagination. “There’s a space between cultures, between here and there, that we’ve created, and that needs to be celebrated,” she explains. For her, fashion is not only about clothes but the subcultures and communities they inspire.

Her journey as a designer began at home, where her father, fresh from a Yemeni village, encouraged her creativity. His feminist ideals gave Kazna the confidence to pursue her passion. However, her path to the prestigious Central Saint Martins (CSM) came with its own set of challenges. Initially, she didn’t realise the impact she was making until, after her MA show, she was recognised as the first designer to feature a hijab on CSM’s runway. “I was designing for my friends, my grandma—this was normal to me,” she says. “But when people told me I was the first, it was crazy. It’s wild that we’re still having firsts like this in 2024.”

 

Kazna’s focus, however, isn’t just about breaking boundaries. Her work is deeply rooted in integrity. For her, representation in fashion goes beyond token gestures—it’s about who is involved in the creative process. She critiques how the industry often showcases diversity in campaigns but lacks true representation behind the scenes. Her commitment to staying grounded in her community is evident in how she stocks her T-shirts at a local corner shop in Sheffield, ensuring her day-one supporters are never left behind.

Her MA collection, Watered by One Water, blends her Yemeni heritage with her British upbringing, creating a fresh take on modest fashion and streetwear. It’s fashion with a message, one that aims to challenge perceptions and uplift her community. “Fashion isn’t just about what you wear; it’s about the subcultures it creates, the movements it supports,” she tells Peters. This is fashion with a purpose—clothing that inspires deeper conversations.

As a 2023/2024 recipient of the British Fashion Council’s New Gen initiative, Kazna sees this as a huge opportunity, but she’s cautious. “I don’t want to build upwards—I want to build sideways,” she says, focusing on strengthening her ties with the Sheffield community. She’s passionate about bringing young people and their perspectives into her work, which is why she continues to engage directly with youth clubs. It’s clear that her goal isn’t just to be a successful designer; she wants to uplift those around her.

Kazna’s activism extends beyond her clothing. In her short film Fight for Me, Sheffield, she highlights the voices of teachers, youth workers, and business owners fighting for their communities. The film emphasises the importance of education and the need to protect future generations through representation. Kazna believes that fashion can be a powerful tool for this kind of advocacy, and she’s using her platform to shine a light on the issues that matter most to her.

Ultimately, Kazna Asker’s work speaks to a new generation of creatives. It’s for the dreamers, the disruptors, and the streetwear enthusiasts from cities like Sheffield, Liverpool, and Manchester. By weaving her British-Yemeni identity into every piece she creates, Kazna proves that fashion isn’t frivolous—it can be radical and transformative.

Kazna Asker is more than a designer to watch—she’s a force redefining fashion’s future. Her clothes don’t just make statements; they start conversations. If you’re not paying attention yet, now’s the time. If you want to hear more about Kazna Asker’s journey and insights, you can find the full interview coming next week on all streaming platforms!