Dolce & Gabbana Ready To Wear Abaya Collection

Dolce and Gabbana recently released a range of Abayas and Hijabs titled "The Abaya Collection: The Allure of the Middle East" which will hit the market in October 2016. The collection screams feminine elegance with its lace detailing, floral accents and smooth satin fabric that blends seamlessly together to radiate an elegant femininity that is synonymous with the D&G brand. 

Many have applauded Dolce & Gabbana for this refreshing reminder of solidarity in times of hatred and *coughs* intolerance toward the Muslim population in the aftermath of the Paris attacks. Others simply look at it for what it is- business. After all, the market for personal luxury products in the middle east has been valued at a whopping 8.7 billion dollars!

 The ready-to-wear collection has generated quite the buzz since its launch and there seems to be quite a difference in opinion related to it. While many Muslim women are excited to finally be recognized  and catered to by a brand like D&G, others cynically point out that designer Abayas are not revolutionary. Having been to Dubai myself, I can attest to the fact that there are tons of boutiques and designer outlets that sell one of a kind, high fashion Abayas and Hijabs. How is this collection any different? UK based blogger and designer Dina Torkia openly expressed her disappointment towards the range stating, "I dreamed of being included in the mainstream of haute couture & whilst D&G have managed to recognize us with this collection, they’ve also managed to exclude us." Other more extreme reactions accuse Dolce and Gabbana of taking Muslim tradition and selling it as their own.

I feel that while perhaps the brand truly wished to reach out to the underserved muslim population, it is unlikely that they were unaware of strategic benefits of tapping into the Muslim luxury market, following the footsteps of brands like DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Oscar de la Renta who have all produced one off collections aimed at Musilm women. Notably so, H&M recently featured a hijab-clad model in one of its campaigns as well. It's great to see that the mainstream western fashion industry is  starting to take notice of the needs of muslim women but they have barely managed to scratch the surface. 

What's that? An array of women sashaying down the catwalk in modest yet luxurious couture pieces complemented by an elegant range of  jeweled headscarves? Now THAT'S more like it.

Take a look at the collection!