Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Joean Montayre of Washington

We recently had the chance to connect with Joean Montayre and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joean , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I am in the modest fashion industry, and my brand, *Iman Montayre*, represents a modest fashion line. However, there is still a great deal of misunderstanding about what “modest fashion” truly means. Because I am Muslim, many people tend to associate my work exclusively with “Islamic fashion.” At the same time, some members of the Muslim community view my designs and comment that they do not fully conform to traditional Islamic dress codes. In my collections, I design pieces not only for Muslim women but also for non-Muslim women who wish to embrace a modest style of dressing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?

My name is Iman Montayre, and my journey in fashion has always been about more than design—it’s about people, purpose, and the belief that creativity can inspire change.

I began my career at 18 as a fashion illustrator for a haute couture designer in New York and was soon trained as a designer while studying journalism part-time. After several years exploring fashion, home décor, and accessories, I founded my own clothing manufacturing company in 2006, exporting high-end designs to Europe, Australia, and America. When the 2013 global recession forced me to close the business, I used that experience to build my namesake brand, **IMAN MONTAYRE**, focused on timeless, modest, and meaningful design.

Since 2007, I’ve been an advocate for modest fashion helping designers and brands grow in this niche. In 2020, I founded Modest Fashion Designers Production (MFDP), a global platform that connects and empowers modest fashion creators worldwide. A year later, I launched ArtGenZ, which promotes sustainability and trains youth in upcycling and creative reuse.

In 2023, I published my first book, *Modest Fashion and the Power of Collaboration*, and I’m currently working on my second, *Designing Modest Fashion with Sustainability in Mind*.

What makes my work unique is the integration of faith, creativity, and sustainability—a belief that fashion should not only express style but also carry a story, a purpose, and a responsibility to do good.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe trust is one of the most delicate bonds between two people. Once it’s built, it can be incredibly strong and unshakeable—but when it’s broken, rebuilding it becomes one of the hardest things to do.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I’ve learned that you can’t trust everyone who smiles at you—because not all smiles come from genuine happiness for your success. I used to be quite naïve about that, always assuming the best in people. I still try to see the good in others, but now with a bit more caution. I’ve also learned that failure is an inevitable part of life, but it shouldn’t stop you from trying again. Every risk of failure carries an equal risk of success—and that possibility makes it worth the effort.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I started **ArtGenZ**, a sustainable fashion and art program dedicated to empowering young people—especially those who are marginalized, orphaned, abused, or underprivileged. Many see it as a noble initiative, though some believe it will take time to show results or question if it will truly work. But I believe in its purpose. To me, ArtGenZ is more than a program—it’s a path toward healing, empowerment, and hope for those who struggle to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
It’s the role. Because that’s the one thing that never changes. Even if you gain everything else—name, fame, or possessions—your role will always follow you. It stays with you, quietly shaping who you are and how you exist in others’ lives. Your role as a sister, a parent, a partner, a spouse, a friend, a child, a relative, a teacher, a role model—it’s inescapable. You could become the richest or most famous person in the world overnight, but that wouldn’t change the fact that you hold a place, a responsibility, and a connection in the lives of others.

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