Modest Fashion: Dubai, Jakarta and Abaya Trends — 2026-10-09
Major fashion weeks in Riyadh and Dubai are imminent, with Riyadh opening its fourth edition on October 15 and Dubai scheduled for late October. In Indonesia, the consolidation of IN2MOTIONFEST and Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week (JMFW) into a single event starting October 14 aims to position the nation as a global sourcing hub for modest wear.
Modest Fashion: Dubai, Jakarta and Abaya Trends — 2026-10-09
Top developments
IN2MOTIONFEST and JMFW Merge for Global Sourcing Push
Indonesian organizers have officially merged IN2MOTIONFEST and Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week (JMFW) into a single unified event scheduled for October 14–18, 2026, at JICC Senayan. This consolidation involves over 300 designers, brands, and MSMEs, aiming to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a global modest fashion sourcing hub by facilitating business matching and international curation. The move is designed to open access for local UMKM (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to global markets, leveraging traditional textiles (wastra) as a key competitive advantage.
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Riyadh Fashion Week Opens Oct 15 with Designer Focus
Riyadh is preparing to host the fourth edition of Riyadh Fashion Week from October 15 to 20, 2026, transforming the capital into a global fashion destination. The event has already opened registration for designers, with industry watchers highlighting specific names and trends expected to dominate the runway. This event serves as a critical platform for Saudi and Gulf designers to showcase collections ahead of the upcoming Ramadan season.
Abaya Trends Shift Toward Smart Fabrics and Sustainability
Recent analyses indicate a significant shift in abaya design for the 2026-2027 period, with a focus on "smart fabrics" and sustainable materials merging with traditional luxury aesthetics. Reports highlight that the next generation of abayas will integrate eco-friendly production methods while maintaining the cultural heritage prized in Saudi and Emirati markets. This trend aligns with broader global modest fashion movements emphasizing ethical sourcing alongside aesthetic innovation.
Local view
In Indonesia, local media outlets such as Duta.co and Kompas.id are actively debating whether Indonesia can truly claim leadership in the global halal market, questioning if current infrastructure supports this ambition despite the creative potential of local designers. Meanwhile, Akurat.co emphasizes the government's push to use the merged JMFW/IN2MOTIONFEST event as a direct tool for economic empowerment, specifically targeting export growth for local SMEs. In the Gulf, Lookbook Living provides curated previews of Riyadh Fashion Week participants, signaling a maturation of the regional press's role in guiding consumer interest toward specific designer identities rather than just general event coverage.
Context & numbers
Global Muslim consumer spending on modest fashion reached approximately $347 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $444 billion by 2029, reflecting a 5.1% CAGR. This market data underpins the strategic importance of the upcoming fashion weeks in Dubai and Riyadh, which are key nodes in this expanding value chain. The Indonesian government previously recorded fashion export performance at $6.5 billion (Rp108.5 trillion) for the January–September 2025 period, setting the baseline against which the new consolidated Jakarta event aims to drive growth.
On the radar
- Riyadh Fashion Week: October 15–20, 2026. Watch for announcements of new designer lineups and sustainability initiatives.
- IN2MOTIONFEST X JMFW: October 14–18, 2026, at JICC Senayan. Key focus will be on business matching sessions for international buyers looking for Indonesian sourcing partners.
- Dubai Fashion Week: Scheduled for October 22–26, 2026, at Dubai Design District (d3), featuring Spring/Summer 2027 collections.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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