Saturday, December 6, 2008

Islamic fashions rock the catwalk?!

It seems like an oxymoron - along with jumbo shrimp and military intelligence - but it looks like Islamic fashion is undergoing a bit of a boomlet.

The faith's couture is usually associated with simple head-to-toe burqas, which don't seem like a natural fit for the world's catwalks. That's the territory of insane Western designers like Christian Lacroix and Dolce & Gabbana. But take a look at this report of the Islamic Fashion Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which belies the cultural stereotypes.

Apparently burqas and abayas can be fashion-forward , according to Muslim designers like Tom Abang Saufi and Indonesian Ronald Gaghana. In fact as the oil-rich Saudis, Qataris and Dubai dwellers have become increasingly brand-conscious over the years (just check out their malls), it's become no contradiction to demand the finest in designer wear.

The fashion festival rotates through Indonesia in coming years, so get ready for an influx of pret-a-porter couture. Although given the truly insane designs you see every year in Paris and Milan, I'm not really sure that's something you'd want to import.


Today's Top Stories

World's dirtiest river no more?
Asian Development Bank gives $500 mil to clean up Citarum

You get a bailout! And you get a bailout!
Indonesia gets $5 billion in emergency loans

Take that, Myanmar
Indo humiliates soccer rival in ASEAN matchup

Hajj boondoggle?
Ministry pockets trillions in rupiah for annual pilgrimage

No comments: