In addition to the fashion weeks spanning the globe all year long and currently being held in NYC, there is also an Islamic Fashion Week showcasing designs for Muslim women. There’s a slightly fuzzy YouTube video of the runways (the first few designs at 1:06 are fun and interesting), a photo gallery, as well as the festival’s slow-loading website with the theme Discover the Beauty of Modesty.
Many of the clothes are beautiful and elegant, though a lot of it is too “matchy-matchy” for my taste. Regardless, it’s far more challenging to design a beautiful and modest outfit than one that can use skin to maximize impact.
Although definitely not modest, Naeem Khan is a designer who first caught my eye two years ago. He incorporates gorgeous Eastern embroidery and textiles with a sleek American fit. His spring and fall 2008 collections are up on his site and the NYC Fashion Week website (1, 2) and his latest collection will fill in these blanks on Thursday.
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September 8, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Fashion News » Blog Archive » Islamic Fashion Week
[...] Baraka put an intriguing blog post on Islamic Fashion WeekHere’s a quick overview [...]
September 8, 2008 at 6:16 pm
~W~
Dear Baraka,
It is a nice idea to have an “Islamic” fashion show, but I have yet to see one with clothes that look good and reflect the spirit of dressing in Islam which should be simple elegance. The ones in this photo gallery are too glitzy, and most of the head covers look ridiculous. My secretary who is a hijabi has great taste and her wardrobe looks much nicer than these designs.
Hugs,
September 9, 2008 at 7:25 am
Mezba
Dear Baraka, you know Islamic fashion shows have come off age when the clothes are as ridiculous and not-likely-to-be-worn-on-the-street as the fashion shows in Milan and Paris!
September 9, 2008 at 8:05 am
Baraka
Salaams ~W~ & Mezba,
Yes, I agree there is a distinct difference between style & fashion. Fashion shows are often about pageantry over wearability. The designer selects clothes for maximum impact but has a much broader collection to choose from, and also works with stores to make the clothes more wearable after the fashion show is over.
But the pageantry definitely has an influence on personal style as colors, fabrics and cuts filter down to department stores or sewing patterns.
Warmly,
Baraka
September 9, 2008 at 8:19 am
maximus mercury
I love the dramatic volume and beautiful burnt colours of the top photo! If I could float through life looking like that I totally would (after all they used to do it in ancient Japan!)…. Ok, I’d alternate it w. some of those chic kaftans by Naeem Khan too… and a whole bunch of other well-cut stuff.
In my heart, I am 60 and silver-haired and somewhat Judi Dench crossed w. Cate Blanchette. Or I am tall, with two red labs and tall riding boots, walking around in the woods in fall. Take your pick.
September 9, 2008 at 8:43 am
Hajar
What beautiful and gorgeous designs! How could anyone think “oppressed woman” when they see us wearing such art?
September 9, 2008 at 9:45 am
Baraka
MM: I know – that was my favorite one too!
In my heaven I’m tall and bold enough to pull dramatic outfits like that off
Hajar:
April 30, 2009 at 10:22 am
ayodele shittu
When is the next fashion show for 2009?
August 5, 2009 at 3:30 am
farhana
very nice. any clue of more such Islamic fashion shows?