DEARBORN — Macy’s at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn hosts a launch party on March 16 for the Verona collection, a Muslim-owned, modest fashion brand.

Lisa Vogl, an award winning fashion photographer and Muslim-convert who founded the Verona Collection, said although Muslim women were the original inspiration for the brand, the styles are intended for everyone.

“Half of my life I wasn’t Muslim,” Vogl said. “I always looked for modest clothing even before I was Muslim. We design our products to meet the needs of hijabis, but this is not just important for the Muslim but for anyone wanting to dress more modestly or even if they just enjoy the style. It may not even be for a religious reason at all.

“We really wanted to create a line not exclusively for hijabi or Muslim women, but for anybody searching for modest fashion in a market where it’s hard to find these items,” she said.

Photos courtesy of Verona Collection

Vogl said Verona launched independently in 2015, with just $7,000 and the ultimate goal of working with a retailer.

In 2017 Verona took part in The Workshop at Macy’s, a retail vendor development program for minority and women-owned businesses.

“We were one of about 11 brands chosen,” Vogl said. “[Macy’s] was able to see the need and demand of modest clothing, and that’s how the conversation started.

“We’re really about inclusivity and Macy’s is as well,” she added. “We’re really thankful for the partnership with them.”

Verona began selling through Macy’s online store in February 2018.

Malak Ouza, a Dearborn native, said she found the brand on Facebook and is excited to see the product in-store at Macy’s.

Photos courtesy of Verona Collection

“That’s mainstreaming hijabs,” she said. “It’s important for the Muslim community to see others who look like them in the mainstream. We now see Nike creating hijabs and soon Adidas is coming up with a hijab line, so that’s also amazing. I would have loved to see this growing up. I’m happy to see that this generation is now seeing hijabs more.”

Vogl said customers in Dearborn frequently requested an in-store option, which lead to the decision to launch exclusively in-store at Macy’s Fairlane.

“Hopefully there will be more [in-stores] soon,” she said.

The March 16 launch party will take place from 2-4 p.m

Vogl said the party will feature mocktails and hors d’oeuvres as well as models showcasing the Verona collection.

Photos courtesy of Verona Collection