Modest Fashion Week:
Why It’s Gone Back To Istanbul
Discover why Modest Fashion Week returns to Istanbul! Explore global designers, unique collections, and the growth of the modest fashion community
It is noteworthy that MFW is returning to Istanbul, where it all started. London, Amsterdam, Jakarta, and Dubai are just a few international destinations it has visited since its inaugural event in 2016. After a challenging time for the nation following last year’s earthquake, this edition, which took place from April 25 to 27, sought to promote Turkey’s manufacturing, production, and partnership potential while bringing the community together in a nation known for its modest clothing.
“We have always had a market for modest fashion in Turkey, but what we can now see changing is that the market has become more option, welcoming global designers, buyers, and talent. In contrary to working exclusively within their own country,” says Modest Fashion Weld Turkish co-founder Ozlem Sahin Ertas.
MFW has been attracting interest on a global scale, partly due to its touring format. While many of the brands who participated this season were from other nations and areas, like the Middle East, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, the US, and Australia, several, like Imannoor, Zems, Marina, and Miha, were indigenous to Turkey.
Buttonscarves, Nada Puspita, and Benang Jarum were highlights, showcasing modestwear in its entirety (including accessories and headscarves in addition to clothing). On the other hand, Australia’s Akkoia illustrated how its sheer maxi abaya dresses may be modestly dressed or not, depending on how they are layered.
Designers Spotted
Hilal Oğuzkan opened the three-day event with a collection that was extravagant and couture-like in its design, complete with pearls and embroidered gems. Terzi Dükkani and Rafaello, two more Turkish designers, emphasized the adaptability of ready-to-wear with simple styles that can be tailored to various conditions.
This MFW edition was ideally positioned to capitalize on the evolving discourse surrounding modest fashion, which is primarily being influenced by social media, particularly TikTok. With many of the MFW presentations highlighting diversity and community, interpretations of modest fashion are expanding, ranging from grunge-inspired outfits to workwear and layered designer designs.
Influencers Soha Taha and Fatema Alawadhi are bringing this fashion week the attention it deserves. In addition, profile models such as Rawdah Mohamed and Halima Aden were spotted showcasing beautiful pieces down the runway.
Returning To Turkey
The earthquake last year severely damaged areas in Turkey and its bordering countries that rely significantly on textile production. Despite ongoing concerns about supply chain conditions and the challenges posed by inflation and rising costs, the nation has demonstrated its tenacity in recovering from the harm.
To reduce costs and increase quality, some local designers are reshoring their production to Turkey despite these obstacles. “Some of the participants wanted to explore these opportunities, and they do so by visiting production sites and fabric shops with extended stays or by holding meetings on-site at the event,” Ertas explains.
According to designers, including those from Turkey, it served as an instruction on the benefits of using Turkish materials. Swati Raval, a modestwear buyer for the Dubai-based retail company Landmark Group, explains that “quality of cotton, silk, and linen is very essential [for modestwear], especially when it comes to buying for GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries where it is hot seven to eight months of the year.“
“In the past year we were exporting raw materials from different countries, but now Turkey’s product is developing, which has helped us save money,” says Oguzkan, founder and designer of her modest fashion label.
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Creating a Wider Community
Bringing the world’s modestwear community together is one of MFW’s goals. According to designers, this is a key incentive to participate. According to Indah, “There is a strong support system behind the scenes within our community, even though Indonesia could be perceived as a competitor [to Türkiye].” Nada Puspita, creator of the brand Nada Puspita, is based in Jakarta. Buttonscarves CEO Linda Anggrea adds, “The modest industry requires mutual support to grow—we are a relatively small community in comparison to the wider fashion industry.” The Modinity Group owns both companies.
The international impact it has been having has been incredible; three new countries have begun expressing their interest in joining the community by offering themselves to host Modest Fashion Week. This provides designers, writers, and models the opportunity to showcase their work and bring attention to their creations while bringing light to the beauty of modest fashion.
“The objective for the future is to foster astute and productive collaborations among industry participants,” she says. There’s more to it than the runway. Working with our designers is a lengthy process that includes selecting the best production and material options, as well as identifying the appropriate markets, customers, and individuals who have similar beliefs.
Photo by Betül Balcı
