From Globalization to Self- Sufficiency of Modest Fashion

By Joean “Iman” Montayre/ Aug 1, 2021

Looks from Medina Zein in Modest Fashion Week Amsterdam fashion show

It was a breath of fresh air for the modest fashion enthusiasts, for the Muslims in general; who had been
the most active flagbearers of this style; when Modest Fashion Weeks set up a gigantic runway for the
glamour, opulence and flair of lengthy and loose outfits paraded down in one of the most spectacular
events of modern history. For the fashion world, it was just another runway show but for the Muslims it
felt like the conquest of Constantinople once again. At least, that is how it resonates to me.

It was the year 2016, in Istanbul, and for the first time a fashion show stage was set up for everything but
modest fashion. The coming out of modest fashion on its own stage shook the fashion world that had long
been monopolized by the fashion giants who did not see it (modest fashion) coming to life again, and to
better put it in words- it exactly felt like toppling down a fortress that seem unconquerable. Why did it
matter and how did it become successful?

In fact, it was not the first time that modest fashion enthusiasts of the modest fashion consuming societies
had set up for a fashion show for its sake. What set Modest Fashion Weeks apart from all the modest
fashion shows of our times was its inclusivity. It understood what is need to be done and how to address
the issue of globalization and how to revolutionize modest fashion. There was no more shying away. The
organizers of the show- ThinkFashion with collaboration of Modanisa- gathered all the mighty talents of
the modest fashion world to historically shatter barriers that night. The grandiose and exclusivity that
equaled the elites, the extravagant production and limelight that was once only a dream by every modest
fashion designer was finally fulfilled. The show featured not only modest fashion designers from one
region or two, but it invited as many as it can from different corners of the world. Not only that, the show
was not only limited to Muslim participants. Suddenly, the once frowned- upon style soon became a
mainstream.

Who would see it coming? When Industrial age began, its main objective is to free women from the
bondage of lengths to a more skin-showing styles that will resonate her freedom and sophistication. After
hundreds of years when dressing up modestly became a symbol of naivety and low class, modest fashion
movements broke free this notion and claimed it regality back.

3 years prior 2016, the establishment of Islamic Fashion Design Council led by Alia Khan gave Islamic
fashion a voice and a figurehead which prepared the talents and personalities that would later shape up
the modest fashion industry we know today. IFDC’s presence and Miss Khan’s ambitious approach during
the resurgence of modest fashion movement that started way back a decade earlier gave it momentum
and raised the morale of its supporters. Slowly modest fashion gained its strength when young Muslim
‘hijabis” took the internet by storm which attracted the media.

Until Istanbul Modest Fashion week came and took the next leap to allow modest fashion shows to start
elsewhere following other majour launch in large key cities such as London, Dubai, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur
and Amsterdam, that had encouraged more modest fashion shows to be initiated including in the United
States of America, Australia, Russia, in South Africa and other African countries, and recently in the
farthest east – the Philippines. Now, we can almost hear modest fashion everywhere not only on social
media but on the streets!

Brands featured in MFDP’s Philippine International Virtual Modest Fashion Show

Modest fashion movement victoriously opened consumers interest but are there enough resources and
easy access? Are we offering more variety? Are we addressing the problems?

What I noticed is that we don’t. Though there are many brands littered on Instagram but the choices and
the categories are still limited. Where are the children’s wear? The men’s wear? Where are the ready-to-
wear choices for brides and groom? For the midgets and extra- sized? How about the active and athletes?
How about the aged and teen- agers? How about the corporate? The breast- feeding and the pregnant?
What I see are mostly for ladies of a certain age bracket as if modest fashion forgot the rest of us.

Self-sufficiency. This is our next goal.

When we talk about modest fashion, it doesn’t only concern designers and manufacturers to make clothes
that looks great on Size 4- and 20-year-olds. Modest fashion should address the whole demographic of
consumers. Who are we selling to? Where and who is our possible market? Are we the only modest people
of this planet? Have we truly addressed modesty and built unity with all other modest fashion devotees?

In case we are only catering to young adults who can post to Tiktok or Facebook or Instagram, to my fellow
fashion designers, it is time to reconsider our branding and our production line. Because there are still
many out there who needs us but couldn’t seem to benefit from our industry.

Self- sufficiency means we also need textiles and raw materials. While the world’s temperature is getting
hotter and some places colder, there is an urgent need to develop textiles that are conducive to our style,
and who is better in developing this industry but us who knows what it feels like being covered from head
to toe! I believe it is also about high time that we take responsibility in producing raw materials and
everything we need for the modest fashion industry to thrive, in a manner that doesn’t ruin our
ecosystem, as being (as we take pride in saying) the vicegerents of Earth.

I will close this article with a hope of a more, and truly, inclusive modest fashion industry.