Muslim-Owned Thrift Shop Fuses Modest Fashion, Faith and Sustainability
In the heart of Harlem, a unique retail venture is redefining what it means to shop consciously while staying true to one's faith. Kadjahtou Balde launched Modify Thrift in May last year, creating a space where modest fashion, Islamic values, and environmental stewardship converge.
A Personal Mission Becomes a Community Hub
Balde, a lifelong thrifting enthusiast and sustainable fashion advocate, recognized a gap in New York's abundant vintage market. Despite the city's numerous second-hand stores, she struggled to find pieces that aligned with her needs as a fashion-forward Muslim woman who dresses modestly. When her father sought assistance revitalizing his struggling Harlem gift shop, Balde saw an opportunity to establish a much-needed destination.
"My dad told me that he was tired," Balde recalled. "I decided that I want to help him, but I want to do it in a way that aligns with my values: Islam and sustainability."
Located on Malcolm X Boulevard, Modify Thrift has evolved beyond a mere clothing store. It has become a community space shaped by principles of sustainability and Muslim sisterhood, offering carefully curated modest pieces that celebrate both style and substance.
Challenging Stereotypes Through Style
In recent years, global discussions about Muslim women's clothing—particularly head coverings—have often centered on discrimination and Islamophobia. Balde believes her store's eclectic mix of streetwear and cultural garments actively counters misconceptions about Muslim women being oppressed or lacking fashion sense.
"Muslim women are some of the most fashionable people out there," she asserted.
For many visibly Muslim women in post-9/11 New York, fashion has become a tool for navigating public spaces while managing concerns about potential hate crimes. Balde hopes Modify Thrift empowers these women to refresh their wardrobes in ways that honor their modesty requirements without compromising on trendiness.
"How do we break that barrier and make it so that it is fun, it's trendy to be a Muslim woman—to know how to layer, how to style, how to dress in a way that represents your values in the most stylish way possible?" Balde pondered.
Sustainability as an Act of Faith
While the international modest fashion industry has expanded significantly, Balde notes that much of this growth has been driven by fast-fashion brands with questionable ethical practices. For her, operating a store that extends clothing lifecycles transcends business—it's a form of worship that reflects the Islamic mandate to care for the Earth.
"As a Muslim, I know for sure that I cannot be a Muslim who consumes fast fashion only," said Balde, who also leads Faithfully Sustainable, New York's first Muslim environmental justice organization. "We have to be people who care for the planet and for our neighbor."
This philosophy resonates with customers like Hafeezat Bishi, a 25-year-old Manhattan resident reevaluating her personal style through high-quality, sustainable pieces. Thrift shopping allows her to resist the overconsumption culture she observes in some Muslim-owned modest fashion brands.
"Going into Modify really helps me re-center my purpose," Bishi explained. "It fuels my justice-based faith, and at the end of the day, I feel like I'm doing something not just for myself, but the greater good of the community and the Earth."
Practical Appeal and Personal Journeys
Other patrons, like Harlem resident Ella Smith, appreciate thrift shops for more pragmatic reasons, including rising costs and limited affordable options.
"(I) want to see if (I) can find something no one else has—catch a good, great bargain for a few bucks," Smith shared.
Modify Thrift's inventory primarily comes from local donations, supplemented by purchased items and consignment. Assistant Operations Manager Nabiha Ali meticulously inspects donations for quality materials like wool and cotton before pricing them. She frequently educates customers about what constitutes modest clothing, emphasizing that modesty can be achieved through layering and styling.
"Working at Modify has taught me that no two Muslim women look the same," Ali observed. "It's just really personal and individual, and everyone's on a different point in their journey."
Rooted in Harlem's Legacy
Community connection remains central to Balde's vision. Harlem's rich history as a cultural and fashion epicenter, shaped by decades of African American creativity, provides an ideal backdrop for her venture.
"Harlem has an insane crowd of people who just have the most insane style," she remarked, noting how residents dress fashionably for Sunday church services.
Before renovating the store, Balde intentionally introduced herself to neighbors, building relationships—a practice she learned from her father, who has been part of Harlem's fabric since 2001 as a street vendor and shop owner. Just three months after giving birth, Balde collaborated with her father to build her dream shop, documenting their journey through Instagram vlogs that quickly gained attention.
"I was just enjoying moments I never had as a kid because he was always working," she reflected. "He did the hard work so that we could actually live out our dreams."
Modify Thrift honors her father's decades-long commitment to Harlem, even as gentrification threatens longstanding small businesses. Looking ahead, Balde aims to expand Modify and establish immigrant-run modest thrift stores across all five boroughs.
"I think business should exist as a way to benefit a community, and not just to profit off of community," she concluded.
