Haute designers Dolce & Gabbana debuted its first abaya collection on Style.com/Arabia. The designs look like typical D&G, with campy florals and rich lace accents.
Style.com/Arabia describes the new collection:
The abayas and hijabs come in sheer georgette and satin weave charmeuse fabrics and include copious lace details along hems. They also appear to feature a lightweight and dramatic drape, which makes this debut collection rife with special occasion overlays...
Business Insider notes that D&G is one of the many designers making inroads into the $266 billion market of Muslim women, one that has traditionally been ignored by both haute couture and box retail. With that market expected to expand to $484 billion by 2019, DKNY and Tommy Hilfiger already sell hijabs and other clothes geared to the religious needs of Muslim women. In July 2014, DKNY launched a Ramadan line styled by designer Tamara al Gabbani and stylist Yalda Golsharifi.
In a piece for Elle, Haute Hijab CEO Melanie Elturk celebrated H&M’s use of a Muslim model. “Muslim [women],” she wrote, “are a thriving, fully-functioning and active segment of society who deserve to be acknowledged and heard.”
It looks, at least, like the fashion industry is slowly responding.
Photo via Stefano Gabbana’s Instagram.