FASHION BUSINESS
The Islamic population is experimenting with westernized fashion concepts Multi-brand retailer BASICS ' store in Jeddah
IT IS A STEREOTYPE THAT ALL MUSLIM WOMEN WEAR A HIJAB .
WITH A BOOST IN AWARENESS AND EDUCATION , MANY FAMILIES ARE EMBRACING UNCONVENTIONALITY .
International designers are expanding into the modest wear segment
Within the region itself , from Morocco to Oman , the concepts of modest dressing and traditional garments change from one country to another and the clothing is also hugely dictated by the climatic conditions prevalent in that area . Many women in Lebanon do not cover their head , but majority of women in Saudi Arabia still have to wear a niqab . People living in the cities are more attentive to the latest fashion trends , while those in smaller towns and rural areas are still conservative , following traditional norms .
It is also a stereotype that all Arab women wear hijab . With increased awareness , emphasis on education and the blurring boundaries between cultures owing to easier travel , many Muslim families are embracing unconventionality . Recently , Sheikh Abdullah al- Mutlaq , who is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars , and also a senior member of the top Muslim clerical body in Saudi Arabia , stated that women need not wear the loose-fitting , full-length robes symbolic of the Muslim faith known as the abaya .
Some Muslim countries have followed Western footsteps in terms of fashion , namely Lebanon , Dubai , Jerusalem and Jordan . In Lebanon , women have little in common with the fashion preferences of Muslim
populations based in Saudi Arabia and UAE . The mindset is very open to experimentation and westernized fashion concepts . Women prefer more revealing clothing with shorter hemlines and longer necklines . In countries like Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , Bahrain , Qatar , Oman , and Yemen , the emphasis is more on the traditional dress .
The younger cohort ( people under the age of 30 ) in the UAE , Saudi or Qatar makes up more than half of their entire population . There are some 350 million people in these countries who are still below 26 . While a bigger purchasing power unquestionably lies with the older generation and indulgence in shopping is a common thread throughout .
On the luxury side of the UAE market , with the country boasting of a wealthy consumer base in terms of GDP per capita , and where Dubai and Abu Dhabi alone touch US $ 43,605 and US $ 71,580 respectively , the opportunities are huge .
Mainstream international brands have started to expand their clothing lines into the Modest Fashion segment , launching across the Middle East and also stocking Modest Fashion products in western markets . Brands such
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