Dolce & Gabbana's New Abaya Line

Religious dress code and high fashion are becoming less and less mutually exclusive. Dolce & Gabbana has launched a modest wear collection, which incorporates its signature florals, baroque prints and intricate lace in elegant abayas and hijabs.

While the Italian brand is not the first to do so, its move promotes a much-needed close in the gap between the high fashion industry and Muslim market, the latter of which has often been untapped. However, this is quickly changing.

Designers like DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Monique Lhuillier have released Muslim fashion-friendly collections during Ramadan. Fashion retail giants Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi have also in the past curated modest wear edits during the holy month. Uniqlo will soon launch its second LifeWear collaboration with Muslim fashion designer Hana Tajima in the Southeast Asian region, while H&M introduced its first Muslim model in a campaign last year.

Dolce & Gabbana's new Abaya collection is currently not available in Malaysia. However, growing for stylish Muslim attire here might turn these designer modest wear collections to our local market.

(www.elle.my)