Ascia Al Faraj (born 19 October 1989), known by her blogging name Ascia AKF, is a Kuwaiti fashion blogger, model, and fashion designer. Al Faraj, with over two million Instagram followers, is considered one of the Middle East's most influential bloggers and social media influencers.[2] She is also popular in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Ascia AKF | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ascia Al Faraj October 19, 1989 |
| Nationality | Kuwaiti • American[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Blogger Fashion designer |
| Known for | the-hybrids.com |
She has worked with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Dior, Chanel, TAG Heuer, Net-a-Porter, and Tory Burch.[3] She is also the face of Riva Fashion.[4][5] Her fashion and style are mainly for women who dress modestly.
On 10 July 2018, Al Faraj uploaded a video on YouTube discussing her views on modesty and faith saying that she doesn't consider herself a hijabi and it would be "disrespectful" to call herself a hijabi. "I do not consider myself to be a hijabi because I don’t feel that it is in line with the viewpoint that I have now approaching 30. It’s not the viewpoint that I think is representative of me as a person. ... I consider myself in the modest fashion space".[1][6][7]
Career edit
Blogging edit
Al Faraj began her blogging career in 2012, her first post was titled "Some Mosaic. Some Marni." She came to prominence after she worked with Areej Al Kharafi, a Kuwaiti Boutique owner. She gained about 12,000 followers within hours after the release of their project.[8] In May 2014, along with her husband Ahmad, they started their YouTube channel "The Hybrids".
Fashion design edit
In 2010, Al Faraj launched her clothing line Twenty.10 by AKF.[9][3] In 2014, she, along with Syrian designer Manar Laktineh, introduced a line of handbags.[10] In 2015, she launched a line of turbans.[3]
Personal life edit
Ascia Al Faraj married Ahmad Al-Balooshi on November 3, 2011. Together they have two sons Adam and Noah. On December 29, 2022 she announced her divorce from Al-Balooshi.
References edit
- ^ a b Day, Emma (2018-07-11). ""I Don't Consider Myself a Hijabi," Says Ascia Al Faraj". vogue.me. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ BELCHER, DAVID (22 February 2016). "TAG Heuer's Appeal to a Kuwaiti Blogger". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ a b c "Ascia". Time Agency. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "آسيا عاكف .. محجبة عصرية (Arabic)". Rotana. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ Elenany, Maha. "أسيا عاكف.. فاشينيستا تفردت بأسلوبها، فتابعها الملايين على إنستقرام (Arabic)". Hayatouki. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "Modest-fashion influencer Ascia Al Faraj: I don't consider myself a hijabi". mysalaam.com. 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ This Might Disappoint You... on YouTube
- ^ "مقابلة: مكانة مُلهمة الموضة الكويتية آسيا كامل فراج حامل في مدوّنة الشرق الأوسط (Arabic)". Vogue. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "Event: The Reveal of Twenty-Ten by AKF". confashionsfromkuwait. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "Who is Ascia Al Faraj (Arabic)". aliqtisadi.com.