Modest Fashion: Dubai, Jakarta and Abaya Trends — 2026-10-04

Top developments

Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week Merges with IN2MOTIONFEST; 300+ Designers Target Global Buyers

Indonesia's two flagship modest fashion events have officially merged into a single platform running October 14–18, 2026, at JICC Senayan, Jakarta. The combined IN2MOTIONFEST × Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week (JMFW) will feature over 300 local designers, brands, and SMEs unified under the "Wastra Nusantara" (Indonesian textile heritage) initiative. The event incorporates international trend forecasting, standardized curation, and structured business matching to connect Indonesian modest wear exports with global buyers—particularly targeting Iran, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt as expansion markets. Bank Indonesia and the Ministry of Trade are co-backing the push to position Indonesia as a global modest fashion hub.

Dubai Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027: October 22–26 in Design District

Dubai Fashion Week returns to the Design District for its Spring/Summer 2027 edition from October 22–26, 2026, consolidating the emirate's position as a global modest fashion epicenter. The event draws international and regional designers and continues Dubai's tradition of blending contemporary and traditional Islamic dress codes.

Riyadh Fashion Week 2026: Submissions Open; Designer Watchlist Emerges

Riyadh Fashion Week 2026 opened applications for designers beginning September, with the fourth edition scheduled for October 15–20, 2026. Local media outlets and industry newsletters are flagging emerging Saudi designers expected to show alongside international names, signaling the kingdom's growing confidence in homegrown talent competing on the global modest fashion stage.

1 sources

substackcdn.com

substackcdn.com

Global Modest Fashion Market on Track for $444 Billion by 2029

According to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2025/26 (DinarStandard), global Muslim consumer spending on modest fashion reached $347 billion in 2024, representing a 6.2% year-on-year increase. The sector is projected to grow at a 5.1% compound annual growth rate, reaching $444 billion by 2029. This trajectory underscores why Dubai, Riyadh, and Jakarta are competing for designer talent and buyer access.

Indonesia Targets Five Middle East Nations for Muslim Fashion Exports

Indonesia's Ministry of Industry is aggressively pursuing Iran, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt as primary export destinations for modest wear. The sector is forecast to consume $428 billion by 2027, per official projections, making it Indonesia's second-highest consumption category in the Islamic economy. Indonesia's strategy hinges on differentiating exports through traditional textiles (Wastra Nusantara) combined with contemporary design, leveraging the JMFW merger to showcase quality and volume to international buyers.

Local view

Indonesia (Liputan6, ANTARA News): Indonesian media emphasizes the Wastra Nusantara initiative as a key competitive differentiator. Liputan6 reports that trend forecasting, international-standard curation, and structured business matching are being integrated into the combined JMFW–IN2MOTIONFEST event to help SMEs and emerging designers access global supply chains. ANTARA News quotes Bank Indonesia and the Ministry of Trade framing Indonesia's modest fashion sector as a pathway to both domestic job creation and foreign exchange earnings.

Saudi Arabia (Sayidaty, Gulf Channels): Sayidaty.net coverage of Riyadh Fashion Week 2026 emphasizes the kingdom's opening of submissions "from September" onwards, signaling institutional commitment to nurturing Saudi design talent. Gulf Channels noted designer participation expectations for the October 15–20 edition, while also covering international luxury collaboration news (e.g., Elie Saab × H&M capsule shown in Paris during Spring/Summer 2027 presentations).

Context & numbers

Market Size & Growth:

• Global modest fashion spending: $347 billion (2024) → $444 billion (2029 projected)
• Year-on-year growth rate: 6.2% (2023–2024)
• Compound annual growth rate (2024–2029): 5.1%

Indonesia Focus:

• 300+ designers participating in unified JMFW–IN2MOTIONFEST (Oct 14–18, 2026)
• Modest fashion consumption forecast: $428 billion by 2027
• Target export destinations: Iran, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt

Upcoming Calendar:

• October 14–18, 2026: Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week × IN2MOTIONFEST (JICC Senayan)
• October 15–20, 2026: Riyadh Fashion Week 2026 (designer submissions now open)
• October 22–26, 2026: Dubai Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 (Design District)

1 sources

daralmutahajiba.ae

daralmutahajiba.ae

On the radar

• Ramadan 2027 Production Deadlines: Gulf brands operating on compressed timelines—style submissions due October, sample approval by mid-November, fabric procurement in December. Early planning reflects heightened commercial stakes post-Ramadan 2026 spend surge.

• Paris Modest Fashion Week Precedent: The April 2026 Think Fashion Modest Fashion Week in Paris (11th global edition) underscored luxury's mainstreaming of hijab/abaya categories. Watch for similar tier-1 fashion week integrations in 2027 lineup announcements.

• Bank Indonesia–Ministry of Trade Collaboration: The central bank and trade ministry's joint backing of Indonesian modest fashion exports (announced late September) suggests sustained policy-level investment. Expect targeted export credit schemes or certification initiatives to follow before year-end.