|
As demand grows for Islamic apparel, featuring
variations on traditional headscarves and long, flowing dresses
for women, while men are targeted with robes or shirts
embroidered with religious motifs, about 140 students have
signed up.
"We want our students to make unique designs and become leaders
in modest fashion," said Deden Siswanto, who founded the Islamic
Fashion Institute nearly three years ago in Indonesia's third
largest city of Bandung.
"We also teach them about wearing clothes according to Islamic
rules."
Nearby sat a group of young women working at sketchboards and
sewing stations in the school, which offers nine-month courses
in fashion styling, marketing, and basic styling.
Both men and women, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, may join. But
teachers must be Muslim, to ensure familiarity with Islamic
business practices.
The trend toward garments that meet religious requirements is
becoming more visible among the burgeoning middle class in
Indonesia, where, for years, few Muslim women covered their
heads, or opted for traditional batik or Western clothing.
The Indonesian websites of leading online retailers such as
Lazada.com and Zalora.com now have pages dedicated to Islamic
fashion.
The country hosted its first Muslim Fashion Week in 2015 and the
industry ministry aims to make Indonesia a "Muslim fashion hub"
by 2020.
One of the students at the school, Runi Soemadipradja, said she
started wearing a headscarf in 2007 but found few options
suitable for Muslims.
"I started designing my own clothes," she said. "We are
overwhelmed by this (demand). So far I have released 10
collections."
(Writing by Jessica Damiana; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and
Clarence Fernandez)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
