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#DGABAYA: D&G unveils discreet designs for Muslim women

#DGABAYA: D&G unveils discreet designs for Muslim women

Dolce and Gabbana attacking the booming middle Eastern market for high fashion with a collection of abayas and hijabs.
Updated 08 Jan, 2016

ROME: Dolce & Gabbana, designers best known for womenswear inspired by the sultry sensualism of southern Italy, are attacking the booming middle Eastern market for high fashion with a collection of abayas and hijabs.

The Abaya line, which conforms with the modesty requirements of most versions of Islam, was launched this week in D&G's boutiques throughout the Middle East, as well as in Milan, Munich, Paris and London, popular destinations for well-heeled shopping tourists from the region.

The mini collection, billed as capturing the “allure of the Middle East”, has generated a stir of interest on social media with designers Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce generally winning praise for demonstrating that dressing modestly does not have to mean dressing drab.

A spokeswoman for the designers said there was no particular agenda other than catering for their customers' requirements.

“It is not the first capsule collection Dolce & Gabbana has designed and dedicated to a specific market, “she told AFP.

“In the past, they have created collections for the China market, as well as Brazil, Japan and Mexico. So it's a collection without any ideological or polemic attitude.

“The company describes the pieces as “a reverie amidst the desert dunes and skies of the Middle East: an enchanting visual story about the grace and beauty of the marvellous women of Arabia. “Ankle-length dresses come in both subtle, sandy shades and dark, almost black, hues.

Some are embellished with the bright motifs that featured in D&G's main spring/summer 2016 collection: daisies, lemons, white dots and red roses.

Dolce & Gabbana the Abaya collection ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #dgabaya ❤️

A photo posted by stefanogabbana (@stefanogabbana) on

Fabrics include Georgette, a type of sheer crepe, and charmeuse, another lightweight material, with much use made of lace for trim and inserts.

Oversized jewellery and sunglasses also give the collection D&G's distinctive signature.

According to a report by management consultancy Bain, sales of personal luxury goods in the Middle East totalled $8.7 billion in 2015, up nearly 28 percent from 2014.

#dgabaya ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A photo posted by stefanogabbana (@stefanogabbana) on

Also Read: H&M model rocks a hijab in the clothing giant's new campaign

Other top fashion brands have already attempted to boost their sales in the region with collections tailor-made for the market, notably Oscar de la Renta, DKNY and Tommy Hilfiger.

Last year saw Japanese retailer Uniqlo enlist British designer Hana Tajima to design a range aimed at Muslim women in the run up to the fasting month of Ramadan, while Sweden's H&M cast its first hijab wearing model, Mariah Idrissi.

#dgabaya ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A photo posted by stefanogabbana (@stefanogabbana) on

Idrissi said D&G's entry to this particular market was “definitely a positive thing. “ “I think (fashion houses) are realising; let's not just do it in that one month, let's make this something to stay, because they've realised the potential and how much Muslim women spend on fashion,” she told Britain's Daily Telegraph.

Comments

Multinational Bhabi Jan 08, 2016 11:53pm
Very smart. Now Arabs flushing with money will get D&G Abayas 20 times the price of a normal abaya. What's next? Branded Ahrams!?
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Thoughtful Jan 09, 2016 12:46am
After Malaysia's Islamic airline this is another business rhetoric. The style will further isolate Muslim women from rest of the world. It seems Muslims prefer to be isolated rather than assimilation in the world community.
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Syed Ganga Din Jan 09, 2016 02:07am
Very nice designs minus the glasses, LOL
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Azad Jan 09, 2016 02:21am
This is culture appropriation, yeah stealing cultural clothing and putting your nasty stamp on it! Why not tailor the haute couture on the catwalk to muslim women? Noo you had steal the abaya itself
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GA Jan 09, 2016 02:23am
How does this abaya represent majority of the Muslim women who do not dress like this? This specifically represents Gulf Arab women and their copy cats in Pakistan who find Pakistani dresses inferior I suppose.
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Big Brother Jan 09, 2016 03:07am
It is not isolation in any shape; it is called needs and who can offered. Also, it is based on our religion, it may/would look different, and that is absolutely fine. Yes modesty is required but you are allowed to spend if you can and you must to a reasonable level.
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ak4pk Jan 09, 2016 04:09am
Now why didn't Pakistani designers think of this before, didn't they know that the Arabs are loaded? There is still time to cash in!
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saleem Jan 09, 2016 04:44am
religion has become a good business
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WatchIt Jan 09, 2016 05:21am
@Thoughtful it's an attempt to make more money by D&G , it's pure business, so just chill.
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Historicevents Jan 09, 2016 06:55am
Very glamorous and gorgeous .
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sana Jan 09, 2016 07:37am
Nice, I will buy it , as it makes me look nice, no matter the cost. Thanks Dawn, keep them coming.
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Fawzia Jan 09, 2016 10:27am
The fashion houses are catering to the wealthy Arabs. That where the money is.
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Rabia Jan 09, 2016 10:54am
Kind of defeats the purpose of a hijab, don't you think? All that bling and style
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Skeptic Jan 09, 2016 11:05am
And where are Pakistani designers?... they are busy upping each other in creating more western copied styles, revealing dresses and skinny pants! Shame on them to ignore the opportunities so close to home!
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kallan Jan 09, 2016 12:29pm
The Bengali tailors in Bahrain will copy the abaya and sell them at a fraction of the price.
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Saad Razzaq Jan 09, 2016 12:44pm
This is against the whole idea of abaya. If fashion is a concern than why abaya in first place?
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Mahmood Jan 09, 2016 02:40pm
Pakistani designers are so afraid to create Islamic inspired dresses, that they think they will be considered 'backward, burkha-wearing fanatics. While a western company is able to copy, modify and glamorize the same, market it successfully in the burgeoning Middle East, Europe and online successfully and mint money! I bet it could be done in Pakistan for a fraction of what D&G will charge. I guess all the Pakistani designers can muster are few trips to Dubai or browse online to copy Western styles for limited local marketplace. A missed opportunity!!
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sohail Jan 09, 2016 03:02pm
On the contrary our desi designers are going wild in designing all sort of foolish hipster looking design that no one wears in practice.
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Shazam Jan 09, 2016 05:55pm
Waiting for the long kurta and short pajama from Dolce
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shawn Jan 09, 2016 09:23pm
@Saad Razzaq because in middle east and not in Pakistan middle east women do wear it more than other Muslim countries.
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MUHAMMAD MUBASHIR Jan 09, 2016 10:58pm
Abayas are something that are suppose to be simple and graceful to serve its purpose, making them attractive means going off-track.
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A Mir Jan 10, 2016 10:51am
@Thoughtful You could call it unique, or isolated, depending on perspective. What's wrong in being different and giving the world a new idea on dress, an idea that does not accept that showing flesh is the only way to dress beautifully.
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Rao Jan 10, 2016 07:55pm
Well. Prime minister Trudeau now should realise that celebraty politics is now over and hard work is ahead to solve national problems! Anyway, good luck.
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shaan Jan 13, 2016 12:41am
this reminds me of the $10 Peshawari chappal selling in high end retailers in London for over $500 a pair.
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