Maitland Regional Art Gallery is about to unveil a fashion exhibition which shows there is much more to Muslim fashion than a black burqa.
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Faith, Fashion, Fusion: Muslim Women’s Style in Australia, showcases everything from swimwear and denim to elegant red carpet garments created by a new generation of Muslim designers.
The travelling exhibition was developed by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney.
MRAG cultural director Brigette Uren said the exhibition opens on Saturday and initial interest had been extremely positive.
“This exhibition is set up in two parts,” she said.
“Fashion catwalk with mannequins dressed in various fashions from high-end couture to swimming costumes.
“The second part is more a social history as told through contemporary leading Muslim women and personal items and artefacts.
“This has been of widest appeal as it humanises the Muslim fashion industry here in Australia, putting a face to the name and their role in the fashion industry.”
Ms Uren said the exhibition was much more than the burqa and even more about the latest fashion trends.
“The story navigates the lives of some of the most influential women in Australia today and the positive impact they are having on contemporary society,” she said.
“The fashions are a great way to promote what it means to be an Australian woman today.”
Exhibition curator Glynis Jones said the words faith and fashion did not often appear in the same context.
“This exhibition illustrates they are not incompatible; modest fashion is one of the global fashion industry’s largest growth areas,” she said.
“It’s also interesting to see the market for these designers is not limited to Muslim women but has broader appeal for women looking for looser fitting fashionable clothing that offers more coverage.”
