Dolce & Gabbana Hijab: Fashion House Unveils Collection For Muslim Women

Designers target Middle Eastern market with the Abaya line.

Italian luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana just launched a new collection of hijabs and abayas geared toward Muslim fashionistas in the Middle East, drawing mixed feelings of both excitement and concern of exploitation.

Sure, the range will be far beyond most people's price range - it is Dolce & Gabbana, after all - but we're still pretty obsessed.' The collection went on sale this month, and is available at all of the brand's boutiques in the Middle East, as well as select stores in Paris, London, Milan and Munich, CNN Style added.

The collection was revealed on Instagram, as Stefano Gabbana ^[1], half of the iconic duo, posted images of the Italian fashion house's first collection for Muslim women.

A spokeswoman for the designers said there was no particular agenda other than catering for their customers' requirements. "In the past, they have created collections for the China market, as well as Brazil, Japan and Mexico". Abayas are full length dresses often worn by Muslim women, whereas a hijab is a head covering. According to a press release, it's intended as "an enchanting visual story about the grace and beauty of the marvelous women of Arabia".

The collection consists of headscarves and abayas in neutral coloured lightweight fabrics such as georgette and charmeuse, and are finished with luscious lace trims and gorgeous prints including spots, daisies, lemons and roses.

The news is revealed as high-end fashion is booming in the Middle East, with reports ^[2] that sales of personal luxury goods in the Middle East hit $US8.7 billion in 2015.

The line, which blends modern high-fashion elements with demure elements such as high necklines, neutral tones and loose silhouettes, is seen as the company's first step into the relatively-untapped Muslim sector.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Idrissi said: "Seeing Dolce & Gabbana launch in this market is definitely a positive thing".