Modest Fashion: Dubai, Jakarta and Abaya Trends — 2026-09-22
This week's stories center on modest fashion gaining mainstream visibility at New York Fashion Week, a London 'Modest Fashion Week', and Jakarta's Fashion Nation 20th Edition showcasing modest-wear talent. Meanwhile, Dubai Fashion Week's October return to Dubai Design District and Indonesia's Muslim fashion export push keep the region and Southeast Asia in focus. Market data unchanged from the SGIE report: ~$347bn in 2024, projected $444bn by 2029.
Modest Fashion: Dubai, Jakarta and Abaya Trends — 2026-09-22
Modest fashion makes a statement at New York Fashion Week 2026
Indonesian lifestyle outlet ERAKINI.ID reports that modest fashion collections became a global talking point at Pekan Mode New York 2026 in early September, framing hijab-friendly dressing as a mainstream lifestyle statement rather than a niche. The coverage underscores how modest wear is entering the same conversation as the big-four fashion weeks — a signal for Jakarta brands eyeing international exposure.

London church hosts 'Modest Fashion Week'
A 'Modest Fashion Week' showcase presenting modest looks for Muslim women was held in a London church over the weekend, according to Pravda EN (September 20, 2026). The event adds to a growing circuit of European modest-wear runways following prior Paris editions, expanding visibility for abaya and hijab designers outside the Gulf.
Fashion Nation 20th Edition closes in Jakarta with modest-wear talent on stage
Senayan City's Fashion Nation 20th Edition: The Icon Edition ran September 18–26 in Jakarta, marking two decades of Indonesian fashion evolution from traditional wastra to modern design. Esmod Jakarta students presented 26 looks at the Fashion Nation 20 stage, reinforcing the pipeline feeding Indonesia's Muslim fashion industry — a sector the Industry Ministry targets for 10% export growth.
UNIQLO Indonesia leans into hijab collection
IDN Times (September 20, 2026) featured UNIQLO's hijab collection in Indonesia, framing its LifeWear philosophy as blending aesthetics with comfort. Global retailers deepening modest-wear lines in Southeast Asia signal continued competition for Indonesian hijab consumers alongside local brands.
Taza's Summer Marché Vol. II blends modest fashion with community retail in Jakarta
Jakarta's Kontan Moms reported (September 22, 2026) that Taza held Summer Marché Vol. II, combining modest fashion, culinary offerings and creative community space — part of the retail-experience trend Indonesian modest-wear brands are using to reach consumers outside formal fashion weeks.
Local view
Indonesian media are bullish: ERAKINI.ID frames modest fashion as both identity and style, while Jakarta Highlight highlights two decades of Senayan City's evolution as evidence of the industry's maturity. Jawa Pos has previously argued modest fashion represents cultural identity and strengthens Indonesia's claim as a global Muslim fashion hub via platforms like FA Archipelago.
Context & numbers
- Global Muslim spending on modest fashion: ~$347bn in 2024 (+6.2% YoY), projected to $444bn by 2029 (5.1% CAGR) per the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2025/26.
- Muslim fashion spending forecast to reach $433bn by 2028 (DinarStandard).
- Indonesia's Muslim fashion industry employs ~1.1 million of 3.8 million total fashion-industry workers; exports targeted to grow 10%, with priority export markets including Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt.
- Dubai Fashion Week SS27 edition runs October 22–26, 2026 at Dubai Design District.
On the radar
- Dubai Fashion Week (SS27) at Dubai Design District, October 22–26 — registration and listings active ahead of the event.
- Harvey Nichols Dubai's "Contemporary Nostalgia" AW26 campaign launched this week, a signal of how Gulf retailers are positioning autumn modest-luxe wardrobes.
- Mariam's Collection published a fresh modest fashion trend guide this week — watch retailer trend content heading into Ramadan-cycle planning.
- Rumor-level signal: unverified reports of further European modest fashion events following the London showcase — monitor for confirmations before treating as schedule.
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.
