In brief
Paris has embraced a new wave of fashion with its inaugural Modest Fashion Week, featuring a diverse array of nearly 30 Muslim designers. The event emphasizes inclusivity, with collections showcasing loose-fitting garments and headscarves. Designers like Rukaiya Kamba and Fatou Doucouré advocate for modesty as a reflection of empowerment in a historically contrasting French context. Attendees noted a positive cultural shift, highlighting the blend of traditional and modern aesthetics in today’s fashion landscape.
Paris has held its first ever Modest Fashion Week - hosting nearly 30 designers whose collections include loose, long-cut garments and headscarves. It's the kind of clothing many Muslim women choose to wear in line with their religious principles - covering their arms, legs and sometimes hair.
There was a particular significance to setting it in France, where hijabs and other religious clothing have frequently made headlines and are restricted in certain settings. Rukaiya Kamba, the creative director of Nigerian brand Flaunt Archive, said the decision to present her collection in Paris came from a very intentional place.
Inside Hôtel Le Marois, a mansion just off the Champs-Élsyées, the focus was on florals and nature-inspired hues, with designs merging traditional modesty with modern aesthetics. Turkish swimwear brand Mayovera showcased burkinis, a mix of burka and bikini, which are banned in most public swimming pools in France.
The event underscored a cultural shift in France, with young attendees expressing hope that the visibility of their fashion represents a more inclusive society. Many felt that the hijab is transitioning from a point of political contention to a symbol of personal choice and empowerment.
