Models dressed in headscarves and Islamic robes took to the catwalk for the first ever London Modest Fashion festival with the aim of empowering Muslim women.
Dozens of models took part in the inaugural event at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel yesterday to showcase the leading designers of the ‘modest fashion’ world.
Similar events are due to take place across the United Arab Emirates in Dubai and Doha, Qatar, over the coming months.
It was founded by two Muslim women, London-based Doctor Fahreen Mir and human rights barrister Sultana Tafadar to ensure ‘the permanent presence of modest fashion in the mainstream fashion industry’.
Models showcase their designer outfits at the first ever London Modest Fashion Festival at the capital’s Grosvenor House Hotel. The inaugural event was organised to promote modest fashion from across the globe and will return again next year
Fashion models take to the catwalk dressed in elaborate full-length gowns and robes, turbans and headscarves to showcase the best of the ‘modest fashion’ industry
Designers from across the globe showcased their Islamic designs at London Modest Fashion Festival at the Grosvenor House Hotel in the centre of the capital this weekend
The Modest Fashion Festival was the brainchild of two Muslim women Doctor Fahreen Mir and human rights barrister Sultana Tafadar, who wanted to break down stereotypes about people who choose to dress modestly in different parts of the world
A model impresses crowds at London Modest Fashion Festival at the capital’s Grosvenor House Hotel this weekend
The women claim those who choose to cover most or all of their bodies are ‘not adequately catered for’ by designers and want to change perceptions of them to the rest of the world.
But they stress modest dressers are not just women from ‘particular religious and cultural identities’ and should be ‘celebrated, empowered and supported to make their own choices – sartorial or otherwise’.
The event also describes its objective as: ‘To break archetypes and pre-conceived notions of the modest dresser and instead to recognise and celebrate their achievements, and to empower and inspire others to combine substance with style.
‘The concept of this platform was borne out of a desire to promote the life and lifestyle of the Modest dresser.
Among the models was 20-year-old Somalian-American model Hamila Aden who was the first ever contestant to compete in her Miss USA state pageant in a hijab and ‘burkini’.
She was born in a refugee camp in Kenya but moved to St Cloud, Minnesota aged six.
She gained international media attention for her bold presentation of her Muslim faith and has since been featured in Vogue and walked for designers in New York and Milan.
The inaugural catwalk was hosted by Dr Myriam Francois-Ferrah, a Franco-British journalist who specialises in Islam in France and the UK.
Her career began as a Hollywood actress aged 12 in Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility, when she played Margaret Dashwood alongside Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson.
She now has a regular column for the New Statesman and her documentaries on religion have been shortlisted for awards.
The catwalk show was presented by Franco-British journalist Dr Myriam Francois-Ferrah who specialises in Islam both in the UK and France. She joined models on stage as they showcased the best in modest fashion from across the world
Women were seen showcasing the work of modest fashion designers worldwide. One is pictured (left) with a blue turban and white gown and another (right) in a similar red headdress and white embroidered overcoat
Crowds are pictured watching models dressed in Islamic-inspired designs at London’s first ever Modern Fashion Festival
The Modest Fashion Festival will now go to Dubai and Doha after the inaugural London event. Pictured is Somalian-American model Hamila Aden, 20 (right), she was the first ever Miss USA contestant to walk dressed in a hijab and ‘burkini’
A model is pictured wearing a heavily-embroidered white and turquoise jacket with a peach-coloured dress underneath. She wears high heels exposing her ankle as she makes her way along the runway