TORONTO – Tapping into the thriving industry, a growing number of Canadian fashion designers are looking to prove that fashion for Muslim women can be both modest and fun.

“I’m just trying to take fun, playful designs and add them to apparel to represent misrepresented people in the fashion industry,” Shahad Mahdi, one of the designers showing their collections at the Mississauga Fashion Week’s third edition, told CBC News while fitting her models for the fashion show.

“I think there’s a stigma around Muslim women and Eastern women in general, and I just want to let the world know we can be fashionable, we can be fun, we can be strong, we can be successful.”

One of her main goals with her label, Black Orchid, is to shatter negative stereotypes around fashion for Muslim women.

The recent Ryerson University fashion graduate is already getting lots of positive attention for her funky, pop-influenced graphic designs for Black Orchid.

The funny label was inspiring young Muslim women, including those modeling Madhi’s clothes.

“Before when you think about Muslims, it would always be this bland type of clothing,” said model Nabila Rezwan.

“It’s nice designers are coming up with new ideas to make the new generations look better.”

Her fellow model Fatima Ibrahim agreed, as she admired her outfit designed by Mahdi.

“It’s super proper, it doesn’t disregard our beliefs, it’s covered up and it’s fully amazing,” Ibrahim said.

“I’m excited that someone has that at the back of her mind while preparing an outfit.”

Mahdi is not the only Muslim designer offering Muslim women fashionable, modest clothes.

Osob Mohamud is the Toronto fashion designer behind the online fashion label Alene.

“It’s important as young women to show other women that it’s possible to follow your religion and be happy and also dress the way that you want to dress and follow the guidelines that are set for you without feeling … frumpy or out-of-fashion and off-trend,” Mohamud said.