Islamic wardrobe sees feminine frills Los Angeles Times Copyright 2013 Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Published 9:42 am, Saturday, February 2, 2013 Southern California, home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the nation, has become fertile ground for a new generation of designers crafting clothes for women who are limited by faith and conviction from flashing too much skin. Filling that void now are designers such as Afra Said-Ahmed and her sister Eiman Ahmed, both Muslims, who launched the Irvine clothing company Mohajababes. "If a non-Muslim looks at you, it obviously makes them more comfortable if they don't see the standard black that they see in the news all the time," the Chino Hills (San Bernardino County) college student said as she proudly showed off her pale pink hijab, striped maxi dress and stylish Marc Jacobs glasses. Aside from the challenges of running a small business, designers churning out Muslim clothing must navigate tricky cultural norms and interpretations of Islamic law. Some conservative, older members of Muslim communities - and even younger members - frown upon anything brightly colored or remotely flashy, said Anna Secor, a University of Kentucky professor who has studied Islamic fashions. The Rayan line includes gowns, priced between $250 and $400, in shades of fuchsia, plum and navy decorated with trendy details such as lace and peplums. The designers have sold about 25 dresses already and hope to eventually expand beyond the Muslim women who are their customer base.