Baladi: A Love Letter to Muslim Culture and Memories – Vela

At VELA, we have never treated fashion as something surface-level. From the beginning, our brand has pushed forward to create space for stories often overlooked, turning fabric into a form of remembrance. Whether you are looking for a woven hijab or a statement piece, our collections aim to honor deep-rooted traditions.

This is proven through our best-selling capsule, Baladi, created to honor ancient textile traditions. “Baladi,” meaning native or of the land, is an intention to treat heritage as something living. When we released our Syrian Baladi chapter, it struck a deep chord with those seeking a meaningful print hijab that feels both personal and collective.

In December 2025, we opened a new chapter titled Baladi By You, a collaboration-led capsule that lets artists tell their cultural stories. Each modal print hijab in this collection is tied to family histories and visual legacies. These designs reflect memories of grandmothers’ hands, prayers, and survival, brought to life in VELA’s signature modal fabric or a pure satin silk hijab for a luminous finish.

Leppi, Guinea

Designed by Guinean artist Lulah Balde, Leppi is a visual love letter to lineage. The print draws from the rhythmic patterns she remembers from her mother’s wardrobe - the ones she would secretly study - alongside stories passed down from her father about his grandmother, an indigo dyer whose hands shaped their family’s artistic bloodline.

The result is bold, textured, and nostalgic, reconnecting Lulah to her Guinean roots in a form that feels both intimate and wearable.

A portion of proceeds supports GAED, benefiting Guinean youth through education.

Quam Ki Beti, Pakistan

Translating to “Daughter of the Nation,” this piece is designed by Pakistani artist Anne-Fatima Syed, whose work bridges spirituality, community, and activism. The print intertwines traditional Ajrak motifs, the vivid energy of Pakistani truck art florals, and a powerful verse from Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Hum Dekhenge. It stands as a tribute to womanhood, resilience, and the visual language that holds Pakistan’s collective memory together.

A portion of proceeds supports Behbud USA, empowering women across Pakistan.

Mosaic Damascene, Syria

Designed by Syrian artist Nasreen Atik, Mosaic Damascene is an ode to Damascus. its stone alleyways, its souks, and the art embedded in walls, tiles, and passed-down craftsmanship. With hues of sandstone, terracotta, and turquoise, the print feels like fragments of memory pieced back together. It exists in multiple forms:

Mosaic Damascene in signature modal
Mosaic Damascene Silk in 100% silk
Glowing Damascene, elevated with delicate gold foiling

Each version carries the same beating heart: Syria remembered, honored, and worn.

A portion of proceeds supports Every Pregnancy, advancing maternal and newborn healthcare in Syria.

Jambu Merah, Malaysia

Meaning “Pink Guava,” this design by Malaysian artist Azzah Sultan blends playfulness with deep-rooted memory. It draws from her mother’s fashion, fruit-filled childhood landscapes, and traditional batik motifs, layered with digitally reframed archival textures.

Blush, coral, and vibrant magenta create something that feels joyful yet grounded, like a summer memory that lingers.

A portion of proceeds supports Sadaqaat USA, aiding Sudan relief efforts.

Om Al Donya, Egypt

Titled “Mother of the World,” a phrase Egypt holds with pride, this piece by Egyptian artist Jeneen Elbershawi is dedicated to the women in her family; bold, expressive, rooted. Emerald green, desert sand, and warm gold are woven into a design that feels like a handwritten love letter to heritage.

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