WEEKLY NEWS 4 - MODEST FASHION
Modest fashion: How covering up became mainstream
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/style/modest-fashion-how-covering-up-became-mainstream/ar-AAtAEJ6?li=AA2FOLs&ocid=spartandhp
In high street stores today there are wrist-length sleeves and high necks have appeared on dresses, hems are a little longer, and corsets are showcased beneath plain polo necks and crisp, white shirts on mannequins. And it’s all thanks to the rise of something called modest-wear.
Modest-wear is clothing that conceals rather than accentuates the shape of the body. Recently, mainstream brands have found themselves playing catch-up to appeal to women who dress modestly for religious and cultural reasons, including Muslims, Jews and Christians.
Reina Lewis, professor of cultural studies at the London College of Fashion and author of Muslim Fashion: Contemporary Style Cultures, has been studying modest looks since the mid-2000s. In the past two seasons in particular she has noticed modest fashions hitting the high street.
At the same time, Muslim fashion designers and influencers in the UK and Jewish and Christians in the US are filling gaps that they have spotted in the market, using social media to gain influence and set up online stores.
“Today, individuality is celebrated and again social media has been a key platform for people to express their individuality,” says Altaf Alim, the co-founder commercial director of Aab, a modest fashion brand that launched in 2007.
“Ten years ago it was very difficult to find clothing that was both suitably modest but also on trend.” Now, Aab is working with the Debenhams - the first major UK department store to sell Muslim clothing. Recently, their swim wear collection sold out within days of going online.
“What was available was either frumpy or boring and this is really how the industry came about. It’s fair to say it started out as a cottage industry with designers making dresses with a modest silhouette but with personality. Today there is lot’s of choice from independent designers right through to the high street. Consumer choice is always a good thing," she argues.
Alim says she's had "so many" responses from women who say Aab dresses have given them a renewed sense of confidence, adding: "we want our brand to be inclusive of everyone be they faith or non-faith."
But for women who have felt ignored by the mainstream for decades, modesty as a movement is an exciting new frontier in fashion.
“Modesty is about an attitude, it is all-inclusive to any woman from any faith, background or age who chooses to take a stand in how they present themselves," says Polonsky.
"Seeing that there is a strength and respect in that, is changing the perceptions surrounding modesty, and a modest woman in general."
In high street stores today there are wrist-length sleeves and high necks have appeared on dresses, hems are a little longer, and corsets are showcased beneath plain polo necks and crisp, white shirts on mannequins. And it’s all thanks to the rise of something called modest-wear.
Modest-wear is clothing that conceals rather than accentuates the shape of the body. Recently, mainstream brands have found themselves playing catch-up to appeal to women who dress modestly for religious and cultural reasons, including Muslims, Jews and Christians.
Reina Lewis, professor of cultural studies at the London College of Fashion and author of Muslim Fashion: Contemporary Style Cultures, has been studying modest looks since the mid-2000s. In the past two seasons in particular she has noticed modest fashions hitting the high street.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l8nLp2eH-o (a video about a Muslim woman breaking through into the fashion industry.)
At the same time, Muslim fashion designers and influencers in the UK and Jewish and Christians in the US are filling gaps that they have spotted in the market, using social media to gain influence and set up online stores.
“Today, individuality is celebrated and again social media has been a key platform for people to express their individuality,” says Altaf Alim, the co-founder commercial director of Aab, a modest fashion brand that launched in 2007.
“Ten years ago it was very difficult to find clothing that was both suitably modest but also on trend.” Now, Aab is working with the Debenhams - the first major UK department store to sell Muslim clothing. Recently, their swim wear collection sold out within days of going online.
“What was available was either frumpy or boring and this is really how the industry came about. It’s fair to say it started out as a cottage industry with designers making dresses with a modest silhouette but with personality. Today there is lot’s of choice from independent designers right through to the high street. Consumer choice is always a good thing," she argues.
Alim says she's had "so many" responses from women who say Aab dresses have given them a renewed sense of confidence, adding: "we want our brand to be inclusive of everyone be they faith or non-faith."
But for women who have felt ignored by the mainstream for decades, modesty as a movement is an exciting new frontier in fashion.
“Modesty is about an attitude, it is all-inclusive to any woman from any faith, background or age who chooses to take a stand in how they present themselves," says Polonsky.
"Seeing that there is a strength and respect in that, is changing the perceptions surrounding modesty, and a modest woman in general."
Good post that includes examples, images and quotes from people. However you didn't really include any of your own opinions on the matter
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