FEATURES

"GO OUT THERE

AND CHANGE THE WORLD"

NOOR NEELOFA
FOUNDER OF NH PRIMA INT. MALAYSIA

By Hafiz Hashim

Some of you know her as actress or television

personality that dominated your midnight tv
drama series such as Suri Hati Mr.Pilot or as
the most famous tv personality that will
entertain you and your family in Meletop.
Others also recognise her as the force behind
the hijab brand, Naelofar Hijab. One thing for
sure, this women w a woman ahead of her
time – whose success paved the way for a
new wave of celebrity moguls.

Noor Neelofa Md Noor or more known as Neelofa or Lofa

was born on February 10,1989 at Pasir Mas Kelantan, In addition, Neelofa also immersed herself in hosting

Malaysia. Growing in big family she has proved to her such as a Meletop, Nona and Malaysia prestige award

family that she also an independent girl since a young age shows. Her name continued to be glorious when she

where she has been enter to one of the prestige school in received the award as a popular television presenter at

Malaysia called Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM). Not ABPBH Malaysia – people choice awards.Despite being

only that she also one of the best student when she get a hit by various gossips, Neelofa's name continues to

straight A’s during her final year at MRSM. After that thrive in the showbiz and subsequently ventures into

Neelofa pursued her studies and graduate in Bachelor the entrepreneur world.

International Trade and Marketing Education from Sunway In 2014, Neelofa surprised the Malaysian
Universities Malaysia after her decision to pursued her entertainment industry and her fans when she
studies in United State of America been rejected by her decided to wear a hijab. The decision taken by Lofa
family. was not only well received by family members and
close friends, but also by his fans who were also happy
She then rose to fame when she decided to participated in
with the news of Lofa's Hijrah.
beauty queen Dewi Remaja and won the competition back
Not only that, Lofa also shared the good news by
in 2009. After the competition, she received many offers in
launching his hijab collection under his own label
acting, hosting and also brand ambassador. Neelofa
named Naelofar Hijab. Public acceptance of the hijab
continued to make strides as an actress as she garnered
produced under her brand continued to grow until
praise from critics for her acting through her act in films
the sale of the Naelofar Hijab sold out within 20
called Lukisan Takdir and Wan Embong.
minutes.
 FEATURES

BUSINESS WOMEN, FASHION ICON.

Every year, Lofa's business is growing and developing, in Apart from being successful in the business world,
fact, he is also increasingly highly regarded not only as an Neelofa has also been named one of the fashion icons in
artist but as an influential person in Malaysian society. Malaysia. Often attending prestigious events such as New
Her every move and dress is often followed by the York Fashion week, Milan fashion week she is very proud
younger generation who always follow her on social because she is not only represented as a Malaysian but as
media. The achievements received by Lofa are also highly a Muslim woman who attends prestigious events by

regarded because they also make Malaysia's name carrying Muslimah fashion. For Neelofa who attended

famous in the eyes of the world. one of Salvatore Ferragamo’s most iconic brand fashion
shows, she said “She not only wore the brand but
On April 2017, Neelofa was listed among the 300 enriched the brand in a modest Muslimah style”. In
honourees of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2017 list under addition, she also won a few awards as on of Malaysia
the Retail & E-commerce category. The recognition has leading fashion icon.
given her the opportunity to talk to a global audience
about fashioning the future through her business. She
became inspired after deciding to don a hijab – the
headscarf worn by Muslim women to cover their hair.
The Malaysian actress and TV host identified a gap in the
"modest wear market" and launched a handful of
lifestyle brands - one of them the Naelofar hijab, which
now sells in 38 countries, including her latest concession
in the heart of London’s upmarket Chelsea district.

Neelofa credits a big part of her success to entering the

market at the right time. A report by Reuters estimated
that Muslim consumers spent $266 billion on clothing
and footwear in 2013 - and it expects this market to
account for more than 14% of the global fashion market.
Apart from building a successful business, Neelofa hopes
to inspire a new generation of female entrepreneurs in
her country. “I want to use my success as an example to
inspire women not just to make money but also to have
good confidence in themselves, be strong and not
necessarily rely on men,” she says during her interview
with Forbes.
Besides Naelofar Hijab, other muslimah fashion and
lifestyle brands under the family-owned business are
Naelofar (apparel line), Naelofar Abaya, Naelofar Casual,
Naelofar Telekung, Bella Vista (beauty supplement),
Nilofa (Beverages product) and Lofalens (contact lenses).
Since its establishment in 2014, Naelofar Hijab has
produced more than 80 collections of tudung, most of
which are sold out within minutes of their launches. The
Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, features 300 young
innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who are
challenging conventions and making an impact in
today's world.

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GEN Z ROLE MODEL & INFLUENCERS
In addition Neelofa also being the
“I remember back in 2014,
Not only beauty with brain, first Malaysian who received the when I had first put on a
Neelofa's personality is often
followed by many, especially the
Influencer Award in Monaco. Other
than that’s she also been choose as
hijab, my following
younger generation who often make Young Biz Icons for Oxford Centre quadrupled. Last year I
her an example to succeed in the of Excellence Oxcell. was the most followed
future. Often spending time with his
fans and followers on social media During her interview with South person in Malaysia, but
makes herself easily accepted by the China Morning Post, she quoted “I most of all, I want to
younger generation today especially remember back in 2014, when I had
the Gen Z generation. first put on a hijab, my following
inspire people, and make
quadrupled. Last year I was the most sure my content has
Neelofa who is currently busy with
her charity work through
followed person in Malaysia, but
most of all, I want to inspire people,
substance. You have to
Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa, also and make sure my content has have a purpose, and every
opened the eyes of the current substance. You have to have a message behind each post
generation that if we wants to purpose, and every message behind
succeed at the same time one must each post is very important.” is very important.”
share success with everyone.
Neelofa is unquestionably one of
- NOOR NEELOFA
Back on 2017, during the two days the best role models for Generation
summit – Diversity and Z. Neelofa has turned her basic
Empowerment, in Manila, Neelofa principles as a modern Muslim
take opportunity to advice young woman into a full-fledged business,
generation out there by saying not only by sitting first row at
“PICK yourself up, do better, go out several runway shows, but also by
there and change the world.” fronting ads for Swarovski, Dior, and
Neelofa believe if she can make a Lancome, and by being named to
change so do people out there that Forbes' renowned "30 Under 30"
wanted to succeed in their life. list in 2017.

FEATURES   03