(Pictured, Designers Alnisa; Zaskia Sungkar)
Modest Fashion Designers and there designs been around FOREVER, but why all of a sudden it’s getting noticed in the maistream market?? Is it a protest in fashion against politician racism?, or is it a new market high profile retailers want to just make profit off of. Some Modest Designers even ask.. “Why all of a sudden support us now? “ Fashion Designers Life observed some of the biggest modest designers in the game and there take on making there mark in the Global Fashion Economy.
According to CBC News, It's not just small, independent designers in North America who are taking notice of the growing market for Muslim women who want something fun and fashionable. Uniqlo has launched a collection by British-Japanese Muslim fashion designer Hana Tajima that features fashionable hijabs in muted tones, along with tunics and flowing dresses.
Similarly, American Eagle Outfitters announced a denim hijab this week, and it quickly sold out.
In a statement to CBC News, the company said the limited-edition item represented its core values since it is "strongly committed to inclusivity and cultural diversity."
There is no word yet on whether more denim hijabs will be manufactured or if the company plans other Muslim-oriented items.
Part of the appeal for retailers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Uniqlo and American Eagle Outfitters is that the modern fashion market is lucrative and underserved.
According to a report compiled by Thomson Reuters on the global Islamic economy, Muslims around the world spent $243 billion on clothing and apparel in 2015, and Muslim women spent $44 billion on modest fashion — and those figures are expected to keep growing.
But undoubtedly, the big brands are stepping carefully.
Earlier this year, Nike announced its Pro Hijab, made with lightweight polyester for maximum breathability to help female Muslim athletes compete.
A company press release enthused: "Nike aims to serve today's pioneers as well as inspire even more women and girls in the region who still face barriers and limited access to sport."
Nike received praise mixed with criticism. Calls for a boycott of the company peppered social media, as some accused the sports clothing company of supporting the oppression of women.
Hina Ansari has written about modest clothing for various fashion publications.
She said online backlash at the introduction of Muslim-oriented lines is par for the course in the current political climate, especially with something as "visible" and "polarizing" as the hijab.
"It will really show the testament of the business in terms of how they handle it but at the end of the day, fashion is fashion," Ansari said. "If it's something that's cool and hip and Muslims want to wear it, they will."
She added that big international brands without a deep understanding of Muslim culture may not be fully aware they're also treading a fine line in their treatment of religious attire.
"There is the beauty of appreciating diversity and appreciating the hijab fashion scene, but there is that danger of trivializing it so much where it's turned into a token and a hot trend."