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Virginia entrepreneur uncovers niche in women鈥檚 clothing market: Modest wear

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There are plenty of stores to choose from when it comes to women鈥檚 clothing, but a local entrepreneur has found success with her designs.

Fariba Sharifi, who owns Ayna Modest Boutique in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia, said she and her sisters wanted to dress modestly to honor their religion, but had trouble finding the right clothing.

So they started making clothes that quickly became popular with other women, first with an online store and, now, with a brick-and-mortar location.

鈥淩ight now, 60% of my customers are non-Muslims,” said Sharifi. “There鈥檚 so many women that are looking for clothes that are modest.鈥

<p>Fariba Sharifi owns Ayna Modest Boutique in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)</p>
Fariba Sharifi owns Ayna Modest Boutique in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)
<p>Ayna Modest Boutique is located in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)</p>
Ayna Modest Boutique is located in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)
<p>Fariba Sharifi owns Ayna Modest Boutique in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)</p>
Fariba Sharifi owns Ayna Modest Boutique in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)
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<p>Fariba Sharifi owns Ayna Modest Boutique in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)</p>
<p>Ayna Modest Boutique is located in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)</p>
<p>Fariba Sharifi owns Ayna Modest Boutique in Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. (海角社区app/Kyle Cooper)</p>

鈥淓very time I would wear the outfits, I used to get a lot of compliments,” she said. “People would ask me, ‘Where did you buy it from?’鈥

Sharifi says that sparked the idea for the business. At Ayna, she works with several designers who make clothing that is fashionable, but not skimpy. 鈥淥ur style 鈥 the fashion, the fabric, the colors that we have 鈥 it stands out,” she said.

Sharifi said her journey has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. In fact, she’s been so successful that she plans to open a second store in another major area mall this summer.

鈥淚 cannot describe the feeling, it鈥檚 the best feeling when you work hard and you see the result,鈥 said Sharifi.



Kyle Cooper

Weekend and fill-in anchor Kyle Cooper has been with 海角社区app since 1992. Over those 25 years, Kyle has worked as a street reporter, editor and anchor. Prior to 海角社区app, Kyle worked at several radio stations in Indiana and at the Indianapolis Star 海角社区apppaper.

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