Modest Fashion: Dubai, Jakarta and Abaya Trends — 2026-09-17

Top developments

Dubai Fashion Week Reschedules for Spring/Summer 2027

Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) has announced that its next edition, featuring Spring/Summer 2027 collections, will take place from October 22 to 26, 2026, at the Dubai Design District (d3). This shift to October marks a strategic realignment for the event, positioning it later in the calendar year compared to previous iterations. The move aims to enhance the city's status as a global fashion hub by creating a more distinct window for international buyers and media, distinct from the earlier European fashion weeks.

Riyadh Fashion Week Opens Applications for Designers

Riyadh Fashion Week is preparing for its fourth edition, scheduled for October 15–20, 2026, in the Saudi capital. The Fashion Commission of Saudi Arabia has opened applications for designers to participate, signaling continued investment in the Kingdom's local design ecosystem. This event will serve as a critical platform for modest wear designers to showcase SS27 collections, directly preceding the Dubai Fashion Week dates and creating a consolidated regional fashion period in late October.

1 sources

sayidaty.net

sayidaty.net

Global Modest Fashion Market Projected at $444 Billion

Recent data from the State of the Global Islamic Economy report indicates that Muslim consumer spending on modest fashion reached approximately $347 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $444 billion by 2029. This growth reflects a 6.2% year-on-year increase in 2024, driven by both demographic expansion and the mainstreaming of modest wear by major luxury houses. The report highlights that modest fashion is no longer a niche segment but a significant pillar of the global apparel industry, influencing trends from abayas to hijabs.

Local view

Gulf Media Focus on Calendar Consolidation Local Gulf outlets such as Al Khaleej and Emarat Al Youm are highlighting the strategic move of Dubai Fashion Week to October, framing it as a step toward "redefining the Arab fashion map." Stakeholders view this timing adjustment as a way to better compete with established European weeks while leveraging the region's growing influence on modest design. The press emphasizes the role of the Dubai Design District (d3) as the anchor for this new phase of the event.

Indonesian Media Highlights Export Potential In Indonesia, recent coverage from Genz.id notes the rising popularity of global brands like Uniqlo entering the local modest wear space with specific hijab styles, indicating intense competition for domestic designers. Meanwhile, industry observers continue to emphasize the need for Indonesian brands to improve competitiveness to capture a larger share of the global modest fashion market, particularly in key export destinations like the Middle East.

Context & numbers

• Market Size: Global Muslim consumer spending on modest fashion was ~$347 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 5.1% reaching $444 billion by 2029.
• Event Dates:
  • Riyadh Fashion Week: October 15–20, 2026.
  • Dubai Fashion Week: October 22–26, 2026.
• LVMH Journées Particulières: October 16–18, 2026, in Paris, featuring behind-the-scenes access to luxury ateliers, which often includes modest-friendly craftsmanship showcases relevant to the Gulf market.

On the radar

• Designer Applications: Designers should note that applications for Riyadh Fashion Week are currently open or recently closed depending on the exact deadline window, with selection processes ongoing for the October lineup.
• Pre-Ramadan Planning: Luxury brands are currently finalizing their 2027 Ramadan capsule collections, with planning cycles compressing as Ramadan moves earlier in the calendar year in upcoming cycles.