CPHFW Official Talk Program: The Rise of Modest Fashion

The official SS27 Talk Program, supported by Mercedes Benz, is a vital part of the Copenhagen Fashion Week schedule, exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of fashion.

Copenhagen Fashion Week will bring the SS27 Talk Program to a live audience, with a dedicated session taking place each day at the Copenhagen Fashion Week Talk Hub, hosted in the Mercedes-Benz Showroom in the heart of the city.

The Talk Program is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Each session will feature a 30-minute panel discussion followed by a 15-minute Q&A. Drawing on Copenhagen Fashion Week’s global network, the program will bring together industry leaders from across a range of organisations and disciplines to share insights and perspectives on the topics shaping fashion today.

The Rise of Modest Fashion

Why the industry can no longer afford to ignore Modest Fashion?

To explore the topic, moderator Julie Lou, host of The Female Effect podcast, brings together Imane Asry, creative consultant and modest fashion influencer; Nada Merrachi, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Merrachi; and Samet Akti, Senior D&I Manager at Zalando.

Moderator:

Julie Lou — Host of The Female Effect Podcast 

Julie Lou is the host of The Female Effect, a podcast dedicated to amplifying women’s stories through honest conversations, challenging established narratives, and connecting women across professions and backgrounds. Previous guests include world-renowned artist MØ, Holzweiler founder Susanne Holzweiler, and feminist debater and author Emma Holten.

Panelists:

Imane Asry — Creative Consultant & Modest Fashion Influencer

Imane Asry is a Copenhagen-based creative consultant and modest fashion influencer known for blending Scandinavian minimalism with modest fashion. Since launching her first blog in 2011, she has become a recognised voice in the global modest fashion space, shaping conversations around representation, inclusion, and contemporary dressing. Her work has been featured in Vogue, ELLE, and COSTUME, and she has collaborated with brands including COS, ARKET, and Valentino. Imane also serves on the advisory board of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Nada Merrachi — Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Merrachi

Nada Merrachi is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of MERRACHI, a global modest fashion brand redefining contemporary dressing for women worldwide. Drawing on Moroccan craftsmanship and self-taught design, Nada has built a brand that bridges contemporary fashion with cultural identity and personal expression. Through her work, she continues to shape conversations around representation, inclusivity, entrepreneurship, and the future of fashion.

Samet Akti — Senior D&I Manager, Zalando

Samet Akti is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leader enabling global organisations through strategic culture transformation. As Senior Expert DEI at Zalando, he leads the direction of the “Inclusive by design” strategy, embedding inclusion across the organisation and making Zalando’s assortment more accessible for a diverse customer base across 29 markets. Previously, Samet worked across DEI, employee experience, and communications at IBM, Google, and Coca-Cola. He is also the founder of AKTIVISM, a DEI consultancy supporting organisations to translate inclusion strategies into practical action for leaders and teams.

Rawdah Mohamed — Model & Entrepreneur, RÅDA

Rawdah Mohamed is a Norwegian-Somali model, founder of RÅDA, and one of fashion’s most impactful hijabi voices, recognised for her Vogue covers, collaborations with leading high fashion partners, and her former role as Fashion Editor at Vogue Scandinavia. In 2021, she launched the viral #HandsOffMyHijab campaign, becoming a leading advocate for Muslim women’s representation, with appearances on HARDtalk and at Forbes panels.