Modest Fashion Week Held in Paris as Global Market Grows

Paris Modest Fashion Week was held last month at the historic Hotel La Marois. Models presented collections that included embellished satin tailoring, corseted silhouettes, full-coverage eveningwear, and a denim maxi dress paired with a cropped jacket.

One design featured a black crochet balaclava covered in oversized crystals, presented by French label Soutoura as a streetwear interpretation of the niqab. The event was organized by Think Fashion and has previously taken place in Jakarta, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, and Amsterdam.

Muslim spending on fashion is forecasted to reach $433 billion by 2028, according to DinarStandard’s State of the Global Islamic Economy report. By 2030, Muslims are expected to account for nearly a third of the world’s population, with more than half under the age of 25.

Between 2014 and 2018, labels including DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Mango, and H&M launched Ramadan capsule collections. Long hemlines, high necklines, and looser cuts appeared on runways that previously featured more form-fitting styles.

Muslim influencers and designers on social media helped build audiences for modest fashion before many luxury brands entered the market. British-Egyptian Dina Torkia, Kuwaiti Ascia al-Faraj, and Palestinian-Puerto Rican Maria Alia were invited to fashion weeks in New York, London, and Milan.

Yemeni-Kenyan content creator Junaynah El Guthmy said the events create a sense of safety and shared identity. She noted that modest fashion has deep roots in the GCC and that its perspective has shaped how the rest of the world engages with it. UAE-based designer Rabia Zargarpur stated that Turkiye has become a logistical hub for modest fashion e-commerce through platforms such as Modanisa.

Indonesia and Malaysia have developed innovative textiles that allow full coverage in tropical climates. In the Gulf, the abaya has moved from a functional garment to a high-fashion statement, while European modest dress often focuses on minimalism and daywear versatility.