Dolce & Gabbana, never a fashion house to shy away from bold statements, claimed the first fashion headline story of the year this week with the news that it is launching a collection of hijabs and abayas. "While growth in luxury sales in established markets like the US and Europe is increasingly dependent on tourism, high-end fashion is positively booming in the Middle East".
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.
A spokeswoman for the designers said there was no particular agenda other than catering for their customers' requirements.
Along with the hijab, D&G also released a collection of stylish abayas, or ankle-length robe.
The "Abaya Collection"[1], aimed at clients in the Middle East, features the Italian house's signature loud prints, centered around daisies and polka dots that contrast starkly against a black background. "The abayas and hijabs come in sheer georgette and satin weave charmeuse fabrics and include copious lace details along hems".
According to Forbes[2], the Middle Eastern luxury market is worth approximately $8.7 billion-up from $6.8 billion the year before.
The range is expected to be a hit with wealthy Muslim women, as the clientele are already consumers of designer apparel.
Idrissi said D&G's entry to this particular market was "definitely a positive thing". "As an internationally known brand, Dolce & Gabanna has to be careful not to co-opt the stories of Muslim women and their fashion choices for the sake of capitalizing on it".
"I think [fashion houses] are realizing; let's not just do it in that one month, let's make this something to stay, because they've realized the potential and how much Muslim women spend on fashion", she told Britain's Daily Telegraph.
National Guard leaders arrive in Flint for briefing on water crisis[3]
They began escorting eight teams of volunteers Tuesday morning, trudging through 3 inches of snow with more falling. Old plumbing leaked lead into homes after the city switched water sources.
References
- ^ The "Abaya Collection" (www.cnn.com)
- ^ Forbes (www.forbes.com)
- ^ National Guard leaders arrive in Flint for briefing on water crisis (quadrangleonline.com)
