That Cover Girl

Today, we have a very special guest with us,

Miss Sofi Safwan, directly from Malaysia.

She's an influencer, a fashion designer,

and she's here to present, for the first time, a fashion week edition,

a collection of modest clothes, including hijabs.

She's a top influencer in her native country.

Her fans call her a bold, stylish, free-spirited woman.

She's ready to conquer the world.

There's a certain joy of life in there.

The fabrics are beautiful.

CEO and founder of Sufiya, a Malaysian-based

modest-wear fashion house. Welcome.

Thank you so much, Pierre.

It's such a pleasure to be interviewed by you.

Of course. So why don't you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

-Sure. So, I trained as a designer. -Mm.

And then I started blogging about style and about my designs.

Then I moved on to selling my hijabs and modest-wear on a smaller scale.

And now, Sufiya has spread its wings across Southeast Asia,

and that is my way of positioning our brand globally.

And Paris Fashion Week, oh my God, it's just... it's a dream for me.

As I understand it, you're also a celebrity in other ways.

You're the daughter of one of the country's top business tycoons

and the wife to one of Malaysia's top actors.

So, how has that helped your brand?

My dad has taught me to be independent always,

-so no handouts from him. -Mm.

As for my husband, I guess half of my followers are his.

So, yes, I owe him everything.

Well, I think it is fascinating

how you manage to combine hijab with fashion.

Although, aren't your stylish designs a bit paradoxical

with your religion since the religion preaches modesty?

A woman who wears a hijab does it for her religion

and it shouldn't take away her expression of herself.

Mm.

But doesn't that go against the very principle that

it is meant to merely cover yourself?

I guess it's all about the intention.

As long as there's no bad intention,

then there's nothing wrong.

So, it all has to do with intention. It's not a religious doctrine.

But if the intention is to show yourself,

to beautify yourself in the eye of the public,

isn't that against the doctrine of covering yourself?

It's a personal matter.

Now, why don't we go back to talking about my collection?

- -Sure, sure. Um...

How would you describe your designs?

-My design is about self-expression. -Mm.

It's about going to the edge of it

and it's about showing that modest-wear

-can also be about being brave and bold. -Mm.

- -

THE PARISIAN

I told you to stick to the script.

Why do you have to mention the intention?

What is wrong with that?

Look. The way you said it was very liberal.

Yes, for those who are narrow-minded.

And those narrow-minded people will become our customers.

No, no, my customers are not like that.

You need to face the facts.

We've saturated the market with your Sufiya Signature Look.

Now, we have to target the "Mass".

And Mass is not the Bangsar people.

I'm talking about people like my cousin in Batu Pahat.

Or my aunt that always pushed me to get married.

- That is our market. -Mm.

And they don't want you to give a Ted Talk.

Look.

Paris is costing us an arm and a leg.

We cannot afford controversy.

Laila, we have dreamt about Paris

since the first time we started this company.

Why so grumpy?

Yes.

New office, new house, new collection.

-Money is free-flowing now. -Mm.

Don't worry, okay?

People will be clamoring for my designs. Mm?

Especially with the new prices, it will be very reasonable.

Just you wait.

- -Mm.

Let's wish for it, okay?

I don't want that in the end, we have to ask for your father's help.

His second wife

just launched a new beauty line.

Millions of dollars have been invested in it.

So, don't bother him. Mm?

What meetings have you got lined up for me?

- -Um...

There are a few. Middle Eastern Sovereign Fun.

-Mm. -They're important and they RSVPd.

Done. What have you got on them?

Everything is here. Work your magic.

Done.

Is our team here?

Yes, they're at the hotel,

setting up the photoshoot.

Okay, good. Oh, don't forget to buy them pastries.

- -

No comment.

Wait. Please take pictures of the brand.

Okay, can I see?

Okay. Very good.

-Malika. - Yes.

Have you prepared the clothes for my KOL invites?

Everything's okay.

-Yeah? Uh-huh? -Yes.

Oh.

Cute.

What?

Oh. Girls, Sofi is trending on social media.

That's good.

But the hashtag is Libtard.

Oh, how could they?

We're such nice people.

What the heck, Hana?

What's wrong with you?

I'll go get a new one.

One more thing. Malika, focus on tomorrow.

You're going to be with Mr. Sofi.

Everyone will like you.

-I want to be like that too. - So what?

Hey, I've done a lot of work.

I need to do everything.

I'm her sole designer.

Hello, everyone.

How was your flight?

I bought you some pastries.

Please eat. Yes?

You guys haven't started yet?

I told you we don't have enough people.

Sof, the interview is viral.

Have you read the comments?

- Do I want to? - Well, basically, it's 50-50.

On one hand, you're a hero for saying all those things

about self-expression and intention, blah-blah-blah,

and on the other hand...

Mm. I guess so.

Is Tasya coming?

Yes, she just won the best female artist award.

And one more thing.

Mrs. Dania, our last-minute RSVP,

the most famous fashionista, the most famous hijabist, is coming.

Has this plate been washed?

Oh.

- Hey. -Hana.

Dania must be dressed like a tent.

It's okay, I'll design it. It'll be easy.

Malika.

Yeah, now it's 60-40.

Our famous teacher has now joined the conversation.

Mm, great, great. That's great.

Guys, come on.

Can we please focus on the positive?

Please? This is our moment.

We are in Paris.

-Come on! -

I've been waiting for you.

I've waited for you for a long time too.

- - Cut!

- Whose phone is that? -

Sorry, I need to take this call.

Just a minute.

- Mm? -Hi.

Are you okay?

We're rolling right now.

Oh. Oh, sorry.

It's just...

I just want to apologize for the fight with you that day.

-I've been stressed lately. -

And I wish you were here.

You can just photoshop my photos.

You know how to do that.

Don't forget we have an interview with Glamour magazine.

I've prepared your clothes.

You'll wear a blue shirt. Okay?

No, I want to wear red.

Okay, look, Sofi wants movement, okay?

Lots of movement.

-Mm. - For you.

Thank you so much.

THE PARISIAN

Here. Okay.

-You may have her. -Okay, thanks.