Modest Fashion: Dubai, Jakarta and Abaya Trends — 2026-10-06

Top developments

Indonesia Consolidates Modest Fashion Events for Global Push

In a strategic move to unify the national industry, IN2MOTIONFEST and Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week (JMFW) have officially merged into a single event titled "IN2MOTIONFEST X JMFW," running from October 14–18, 2026, at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC). The event involves over 300 designers, brands, and MSMEs, with a specific focus on integrating Wastra Nusantara (Indonesian traditional textiles) into contemporary modest fashion to appeal to global buyers. This consolidation is supported by Bank Indonesia and the Ministry of Trade, which aim to strengthen the ecosystem and position Indonesia as a key hub for global modest fashion exports.

Dubai Fashion Week Prepares for Spring/Summer 2027

Dubai Fashion Week is set to return to the Dubai Design District (d3) from October 22–26, 2026, featuring collections for Spring/Summer 2027. Organized by d3, this edition continues to solidify Dubai's status as a critical node in the global fashion calendar, bridging Gulf heritage with international luxury trends. The event follows a period of significant growth for the regional sector, with modest wear increasingly reserved as a mainstream category rather than a niche market.

Wastra Textiles Drive Indonesian Export Strategy

Indonesian designers are heavily utilizing Wastra—including batik, tenun, and songket—as a unique selling proposition to penetrate international markets. The "Indonesian Integrated Modest Fashion Ecosystem" theme for the upcoming merged event focuses on transforming these traditional fabrics into global business products through trend forecasting and international-standard curation. Industry stakeholders argue that this differentiation is essential for competing with mass-produced modest wear from other regions.

Local view

Kompas.id reports on the strategic shift toward collaboration, noting that the decision to merge events arose after recognizing the "great potential" of consolidating resources for a stronger festival presence.

Duta.co features an opinion piece questioning whether Indonesia can truly become the world's halal market leader, emphasizing that data-driven discussion is needed beyond just hosting events.

Anahwa.com, an Arabic-language platform, highlights emerging 2027 trends for Saudi and Emirati women, focusing on the intersection of smart fabrics and sustainable designs in abayas and kaftans, reflecting a growing consumer interest in tech-integrated modest wear.

Context & numbers

• Market Size: Global Muslim consumer spending on modest fashion reached approximately $347 billion in 2024, reflecting a 6.2% year-on-year increase. It is projected to grow to $444 billion by 2029 at a 5.1% CAGR.
• Indonesian Exports: Indonesia's fashion export performance reached $6.5 billion (Rp108.5 trillion) in the first nine months of 2025, growing by 4.56% year-on-year.
• Workforce: The ready-to-wear industry in Indonesia employs approximately 2.7 million workers across 569,000 industrial units, highlighting the sector's economic significance.

On the radar

• Jakarta Mega-Event: Keep an eye on the October 14–18 dates for IN2MOTIONFEST X JMFW, which will feature business matching sessions intended to secure foreign buyers for Indonesian modest wear.
• Dubai DFW Dates: Dubai Fashion Week runs October 22–26, offering the next major showcase for Gulf-based abaya and modest luxury brands ahead of the winter season.