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Modest Beauty Series: Ruksana Aisha

Modern Enemy was founded on one key principle: that the modern world’s greatest enemy is the woman who stands up for what she believes in.

In our generation, a walking embodiment of this is British-Pakistani singer, writer, and human rights activist, Ruksana Aisha. In between writing blocks and sleepless nights in the studio, we catch up with Ruksana at her favourite café in the heart of London.

She tells her story.

Who are you?

My name is Ruksana Aisha. I’m a writer, a singer, and an activist.

I’m Pakistani and a visibly Muslim woman, so people often find it strange when they catch me walking up to a mic on a concert stage or spoken word space. [laughs]

26-year-old Ruksana Aisha, wearing the Grandma’s Mosaic Abaya from the Street Style Orient Collection.

Why do you do what you do?

I love to tell stories.

As a Muslim woman of colour living in the West, I feel so privileged to have these many narratives running through me and intersecting in my work. I can’t help but talk about these issues: the hate and love I face from being this colour and faith, trauma and aftershocks that run through my family over generations, how the actions of certain people in my past and Pakistani past and Islamic past have left their marks, good and bad, and how I understand and learn from them.

It’s strange to think and talk about this now; I used to hate studying history at school thinking, “How does this even apply to my life?” But when I saw how history can show us our humanity, our faults, lessons learned and yet to be learned, I grabbed a pen and started writing.

What does your faith mean to you?

Wow, well… if you were to ask me what I love most in the world, I’d say that it’s my religion or faith tradition. To me, it’s clear and encouraging and calming and advocates for social justice and fairness, which I think too many people don’t know about. It inspires people to do good, to intend good, to come together, to embrace each other, and respect each other no matter how “different” we are.

It’s something that unites us, which might be embodied most in the Hajj pilgrimage where men and women are all dressed the same, in the same simple cloth and covering—and it’s hard to distinguish caste, status, wealth. The guy who wears a suit and tie most days is dressed the same way as the guy who runs a street stall in Pakistan. It’s deeply touching and surreal.

It’s a big reason why I don’t shy away from being visibly Muslim and I do let people know that “Hey, I’m Muslim.” I’m blessed and humbled for the sense of identity and empowerment I have by being Muslim—even one who is constantly misrepresented and marginalised.

What does empowerment mean to you?

I feel like this is a heavy and profound question but when I think about it, it can be addressed quite simply. Empowerment to me is transcending our human differences to reach our shared, “divine” core. We all have that energy, that common humanity that unites us. It's the most empowering thing when we free ourselves from prejudice and arguments and agendas to just love and live together.

Going off of that, there’s this particular quote by an equal rights advocate, Elizabeth Peratrovich. She said: 

“Asking you to give me equal rights implies that they are yours to give. Instead, I must demand that you stop trying to deny me the rights all people deserve.”

So many of us are so privileged, and with privilege comes responsibility. When there is oppression, hate, misunderstanding—we have to play our part and work toward peace. We have to be the empowerment that we want to see in our world.

Ruksana Aisha—more than meets the eye.

Modern Enemy was born out of the intention to facilitate women to empower themselves. Why have you chosen to wear our brand?

I love how you’ve put a spin on empowerment for women. Muslim women often wear the hijab and abaya to dress how they like without caring for what others think of them and their bodies. It’s why I wear it, and it’s surprising to me that people assume it to be oppressive when it’s been one of the things most liberating for me.

On the other hand, you know me [laughs]—I’m a creative person. I like to dress boldly, but I want to do that without being compelled to show my body. Whatever I do, however I dress—it’s a narrative I control.

When I came upon your line and the cut of your dresses, I was so pleased with how they maintain the modest silhouette I’m looking for, while also taking influence from Japanese kimono styles with a streetwear essence. They’re two styles I love, and I love being able to wear them in a way that suits my spiritual needs. 

I’m excited to see Modern Enemy grow! And I’ll happily wear you wherever I go; I’ve got a few more pieces stocked in my cart already. [laughs]

Now a change of pace; if there’s something you could say to your ten-year-old self, what would it be?

You are a work in progress. You feel left out, unheard, misheard, silenced, caged in something that you had no hand in—what you were born into: your culture, your religion, your heritage. You wish you could be “just like them” because it hurts to be pointed at and singled out.

But you’ll come to learn that you’re very special and in a good way. You have been born to do something that no one else was born to do. You have qualities that no one else has, and standing out makes you brilliant.

You are also a gateway to understanding between two worlds that don’t understand each other. Living this culture and religion in a society that wants to smear you takes courage. But if you share a part of your story, it will empower those who are like you. 

If you raise your voice, you will be heard.

Now, the big question! Where do you want to be in ten years?

Honestly, I just want to be living authentically. Unapologetically myself. That’s what I’m trying to do now and when you start on a journey to “becoming yourself,” the momentum drives you to great things you never thought possible! [laughs]

It’s absolutely surreal that I get to sing for people, write for people, do good to help people—and I’m privileged to say that I’m doing what I was born to do and living my purpose. 

I know this because my intuition tells me I’m in the right place. And when I feel I’m doing something to deceive myself or something just doesn’t feel right, I don’t go there. So far, that’s served me quite well. [laughs]

I want to keep following my inner compass to where I’m meant to go. I know this question probably warrants an answer that’s more about my concrete goals like a world tour or a book signing—all those things are great but I won’t know what’s right till I come to it.

What do you want the women of Modern Enemy to take away from our talk today?

I want to tell them: Keep doing you. Live out your truth; follow your compass; do right by others, and be that dignified role model. Muslim women are so misrepresented and misunderstood—and you are the bridge to understanding. 

The bond between women is something that can’t be described as anything else. We truly empower each other just by being ourselves and not caring what anyone thinks! [laughs] Do good and do what feels right for you, not what someone is pushing you to do or putting in your mouth or shoving down your throat.

You are a force to be reckoned with. That line is a cliche for a reason—it’s so true and people come back to say this truth time and time again.

Here’s another: You are powerful beyond your imagination.

~

Follow Ruksana on X and Instagram at @ruksanaaisha, where she posts her songwriting, aesthetic café bookstore photos, and the occasional Modern Enemy outfit that takes her fancy. 

Snag Ruksana’s abaya and explore the rest of the Street Style Orient Collection here.