On the cutting edge of Islamic fashion
Filed under: Fashion, News, Runway Report
On Tuesday in Jakarta, Indonesia, a group of designers exhibited the latest trends in Islamic fashion. Contrary to what most people think of when they hear the words "Islamic dress" -- black, shapeless, long -- these designs really pushed the limits of standard Muslim fashion. While all of the outfits were compliant with Koranic tradition, the clothes also managed to feel stylish and luxurious. Lace, silk and color were omnipresent, and that old standard black was almost nowhere to be seen.Indonesia is actually sort of considered the New York of the Islamic fashion scene. Because the country is mostly occupied by a moderate Sunni tradition, the majority of Indonesian women wear a headscarf with normal western clothes. But according to designer Jeny Tjahyawati, "There are more and more women wearing Muslim fashion to parties. It can provide comfort since it is loose and it can also protect women from perverted men if they walk alone at night."
In countries like Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, which tend to be more traditional and austere, women wear are expected to wear the abaya -- the black cloak that covers them from head-to-toe.












ray 11-30-2006 @ 1:55PM
Its about time they look fashionable in their dress. That whole culture looks like they still live back in the middle ages.
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lisa 11-30-2006 @ 6:14PM
Very cool, it's nice that people still manage to maintain their culture while folllowing current fashions and looking fabulous! Props to the Indonesian fashion world, keep it up!
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E. 11-30-2006 @ 7:37PM
The style actually looks very uncomfortable...sorry I like freedom of movement in my clothes...anything that lets me move quickly without being incumbert is my style...that dress (or whatever it is) would cause a woman to slow down if she was trying to get away from someone who is trying to attack her...
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