Interview with Mrs. Lulu Luthfiyah

Mrs. Lulu Luthfiyah

1. Tell us about yourself.
My name is Lulu Luthfiyah, working as a civil servant at The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affair and modeling as my part time job.

2. When did you start wearing hijab?
I started wearing hijab since 2003 after hajj. At that time my dad worked in Jeddah as a home staff for hajj affair.

3. Tell us about your process of wearing hijab.
Basically I grew up in a religious family. I went to many Islamic school centers since I was a kid. I spent my childhood and teenager in Islamic school that obligates every student to wear hijab. At that time, I wore hijab only when I went to school. Then I started to wonder how did it feel to go to a regular school that does not obligate the student wearing any hijab. So then I decided to went to a regular University to experience the different atmosphere. It took me only two years to spend my activity without hijab until I started to feel uncomfortable without my hijab. I continue wearing hijab in 2003. I believe hijab is an obligatory for every muslimah.

4. What intrigue you to wear hijab in a middle of your bright carrier in modeling?
After a year modeling I decided to wear hijab because I didn't feel comfortable presenting some shows with some open dresses. In addition with the situation behind stages, inside changing room, and many other reason did not make me comfortable. I believe wearing hijab is my syi'ar to perform beauty and modesty. Every muslimah can be beautiful, stylish and modest while covered. I often feel tempted by job offers to do regular fashion shows presenting revealing clothes. However I have to stay true to my faith and my belief that fortune doesn't go anywhere.

5. So how does it feel to be a hijabi model?
I feel so blessed with my hijab. I get many opportunities and experiences. I also proud to be the only hijabi model who present kebaya or any other dresses among others. I also get more respect. I get my own changing room and my privacy during fashion show even though there were a tight schedule going on. So I guess its cool :) The other advantages I get with wearing hijab is as a reminder for my misbehave.

6 Tell us about your style.
I dress casually depend on my mood. I can be boyish or feminine with maxi dress during my daily activities. A type of maxi dress that I avoid is the staight cut, because it makes my figure go flat like a bamboo (giggle). Most of the time I like wearing lightweight fabrics so I can experiment with my clothes and do layering. Adding this and that like vest, jacket or cardigan. Jeans is my favorite for pants. Any soft lightweight scarves are my cup of tea.

7. Place to shop?
My favorite places to shop are:
Zara, Mango, Magnolia, Batik Keris, MyRins, Up2Date, XSML, Gucci, LV and my fav designers are Korina.S, Irna Mutiara, DianPelangi, Biyan. I also find many interesting stuff at ITC Mangga Dua 4th dan 5th floor. You will get great clothes with great prices.

Photographer : Mrs. Fifi Alvianto & Mrs. Hanna Faridl