| Brand names and famous designers have been an | | | | Couture" to name a few. These labels are highly |
| important part of the fashion industry of the | | | | prestige amongst the Muslim women of the Arab |
| west for a number of years, but all the major | | | | descent in particular. Their collections include |
| brand names offer only western outfits and not | | | | beautiful jilbabs suitable for an array of occasions |
| target the millions of Middle Eastern and other | | | | and events and are loved by the fashion forward |
| Muslim Asian countries, where women are equally | | | | women. Certain jilbabs designers take part in |
| brand conscious, but cannot benefit from the big | | | | fashion shows in Paris, London and New York in |
| labels due to the restrictions in dressing that are | | | | order to reach a wider target audience for their |
| implied by Islam. The long flowing jilbabs and hijabs | | | | stylish creations. |
| to cover the heads were initially only available by | | | | Last year certain western designers also launched |
| large retailers catering to the masses. These | | | | their abayas and jilbabs collections in order to |
| mostly constituted the lower end retail side of the | | | | satisfy the needs of their Muslim clientele. |
| apparel industry. | | | | Although initially it was a little difficult for them to |
| Recent years have however seen a change in the | | | | create a strictly religious outfit line, these |
| trend for Islamic clothing. Many Middle Eastern | | | | designers left their customers breathless with |
| dress designers have launched brand names for | | | | their exquisitely designed jilbabs collections. The |
| jilbabs, which have gained a lot of popularity | | | | basic concept which they worked with was to |
| amongst the wealthy Muslim socialites. They only | | | | blend fashion with culture and religion to create a |
| create extravagant and exquisite jilbabs for their | | | | stylish and modern outfit which will be acceptable |
| clients, which are not only unique but also | | | | both on a fashion and a cultural level. |
| comparable in value to the high end Western | | | | The designer shops and brands were accepted |
| apparel brands. Although these brand names are | | | | with a lot of happiness on behalf of the |
| local to the Middle East and Asian countries, their | | | | customers who had been long waiting for this |
| design houses are quickly gaining popularity | | | | revolution in the traditional Middle Eastern clothing. |
| amongst the expat Muslims living in Europe and | | | | Brand sensitive women were quickly wooed by |
| America as well. | | | | the local designers who dared to create splendid |
| Some of the more famous brand houses include | | | | and tasteful long flowing robes which not only met |
| Lina Feghali Maalouf's "Prestige Liban", Amal | | | | the fashion standards but also the religious and |
| Murad's "REDAA", Badar Al-Badoor's "Abaya | | | | cultural ones. |