Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week 2025 to take place this April
Modest fashion is taking over runways around the globe – and in the UAE, we will get to see the best of the best this April. Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week 2025 will run on Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi from April 14 to 16, and it promises to be world-class.
The 10th edition of the event will bring together top designers, influencers, media and industry leaders under the theme: Celebrate Modesty, Celebrate Diversity, Celebrate Yourself. This edition will feature over 30 fashion shows, trendsetting brand showcases, high-profile networking events, and thought-provoking discussions. More than 30 designers and 100 international influencers are expected.
Among the fashionistas expected are Halima Aden, Mariah Idrissi, and Rawdah Mohamed.
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The National
16-04-2025
- The National
Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week 2025 highlights: From Halima Aden on the catwalk to butterfly wing gowns
Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week, held at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort from Monday, wraps up today. Marking the 10th year of the event, the three-day celebration has brought together a vibrant mix of runway shows, talks, panel discussions and brand booths. With 30 fashion shows, 50 brand showcases and six curated talks, the event highlighted both home-grown talent from the UAE and international labels from Turkey, Nigeria, Palestine, Australia and beyond, bringing a global lens to contemporary modest wear. Here, we spotlight some of the most memorable moments from the runway. Model Halima Aden, widely regarded as a trailblazer for modest fashion on the runway, opened the show for Turkish swimwear brand Marina wearing a teal top, brown leggings and a matching skirt layered under a sheer, patterned cover-up. Aden shares a longstanding connection with Marina, having collaborated on a collection in 2024 and previously opened the brand's show at Modest Fashion Week in Istanbul that same year. Homegrown label Bespoke Atelier unveiled its latest collection at the event, supported by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, which champions UAE entrepreneurs and start-ups. With both a stand and a runway show, the brand showcased its signature flair for bold, joyful colour. Highlights included dresses in primrose yellow, flame orange and mustard, plus an olive green kick-flare skirt paired with a matching bolero jacket, a pleated amethyst gown, as well as a sequinned look in navy teal. The standout piece? A long-sleeved puffball gown in radiant, glowing marigold. Another UAE name, Soleil, offered a contrasting aesthetic, presenting a chic palette of neutrals – think nudes, creams and muted greens. Standout pieces included a dress in pale putty, detailed with caped sleeves and a delicately embellished peplum, as well as an elegant grey dress featuring slashed sleeves and soft beading dusted around the armholes. Floor-length silhouettes were either cinched with simple drawstring waists or elevated with wisps of ostrich feather, capturing an effortless mood. Hailing from Abuja, Nigeria, Afrik Abaya delivered a confident showing, combining vibrant adire and ankara fabrics with abayas. The inky black of the abayas served as the perfect foil for the vivid wax prints, which appeared as statement sleeves, bold neckline detailing and towering headwraps. The collection was set up with a striking runway performance – two women dressed in all white, spinning and turning, their extra long sleeves tracing dramatic arcs through the air. The National Fashion Clothing and Lifestyle of Iran displayed a diverse collection of designers from across the country. Among the highlights were an off-the-shoulder, beaded column dress in soft grey, paired with a cape of pink roses; trouser suits in glossy black satin adorned with Rococo gold patterns tracing the torso and flowing down the body; and a striking cape decorated with white applique on black. The most spectacular piece, however, was a full-skirted gown designed to resemble butterfly wings, which was truly a sight to behold as it swept down the runway.
Khaleej Times
07-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
Mariah Idrissi reflects on 10 years of changing fashion and what's next in Dubai
For those who have followed the growing representation of Muslim women in mainstream fashion campaigns, UK model Mariah Idrissi is probably the most familiar face. From making history as the first hijab-wearing model in a major global campaign with H&M in 2015, to launching her own media company bridging brands with documentaries, Mariah is a force to be reckoned with. Ten years after her path-breaking campaign, as she transitions her base from London to Dubai, she reflects on her journey, her new ventures, and what the future holds. Dubai calling Growing up in London with a Moroccan-Pakistani heritage, Mariah always knew she wanted to be in the media. "I wanted to work in film or television, but then I got scouted for modelling, and that led to ten years in the fashion industry," she shares. "Over the years I've been coming to Dubai for work, and have so many friends here; it feels like home. When my husband and I got married, we wanted to live in a Muslim country, and Dubai was the perfect blend of everything we love. It's like a sunny, more developed, and friendlier version of London. You get a slice of everywhere here—whether it's UK vibes, American culture, or Arab heritage—it all blends seamlessly." As someone who has continuously pushed boundaries, Mariah is now focused on launching a media company dedicated to connecting brands with documentary storytelling. "I want to create meaningful narratives that go beyond traditional campaigns," she explains. "I'd also love to collaborate with major production houses or local publications while building this business." While Dubai is now her home base, her work remains international. She continues to travel for speaking engagements, fashion panels, and collaborations. "I was just in Abu Dhabi for a panel with a fashion brand, and I'll be heading back to London for other projects soon. It's a dynamic time!" Representation in a decade Reflecting on her journey, Mariah acknowledges the impact of her 2015 H&M campaign. "It wasn't just a milestone for me; it was a shift for how Muslim women were seen in fashion and media. Before that, visible Muslim women were primarily represented online, but not in mainstream spaces. That campaign opened the floodgates, and the presence of visible Muslim women in brand collaborations is undeniably more common.' She acknowledged that the sight of hijabi women on billboards has become more normalised, and the representation extends to television and film as well. 'I mean, I can barely recall seeing anyone like us on screen before. But now, we have characters like Ms. Marvel. It's hard to believe this is all just a coincidence. We've been part of Western society for over 50 years, yet it's only in the past decade that such a shift has happened. I'm not saying it's because of me, but I do believe that campaign sparked something—a ripple effect that influenced what came next,' Despite the progress, challenges remain as the industry still leans toward a specific look. Many are of Somali or East African heritage, and there's limited diversity even within this representation. 'When brands want to showcase 'modesty,' they sometimes put a hijab on a non-Muslim model, missing the cultural and spiritual depth of hijab-wearing women," she says. Though she was a trendsetter, her career choices have always been intentional. "People questioned how I could be a model while wearing the hijab, but I've always set my own boundaries. I stayed away from runway shows and was selective about which brands I worked with. It's about making intentional choices while staying true to my values." Her perspective extends beyond fashion into how Muslim brands market themselves. "It's ironic when Muslim designers, who wear hijabs themselves, launch campaigns featuring mostly non-hijabi models. If your audience is Muslim women, why not reflect that in your branding?" A decade since the iconic H&M campaign, Mariah is keen to commemorate it. "It's not just my story—it's about how modest fashion evolved, how agencies adapted, and how new voices entered the space." Beyond modeling, she has also explored various facets of the fashion and entertainment industries. In 2016, she delivered a TEDxTeen talk titled 'Changing the Face of Fashion,' discussing the importance of inclusivity. The following year, she graced the cover of Emirates Woman magazine and was featured in Rihanna's FENTY beauty campaign, further solidifying her influence. She embraces minimalism in both her makeup and attire so effortlessly that during Rihanna's show, she was ready in no time—so much so that she ended up helping other participants with their makeup instead. When asked if aspiring models have reached out to her for guidance, she recalls meeting Ikram Abdi, a hijab-wearing model from the UK. "She came up to me at an event and asked how to break into modelling. I told her, 'You're 5'10 and stunning—you shouldn't have a problem!'" she laughs. "And it's amazing to see where she is now." Advocacy and philanthropy Mariah's commitment to social causes is evident through her role as an ambassador for Human Appeal, a UK-based charity, starting in 2023. She has also co-written and co-produced an online skit series titled 'The Halalians,' which has amassed over two million views, showcasing her versatility and dedication to creative storytelling. She currently serves as an ambassador for Muslims Around The World, a global Islamic charity. She has also participated in missions with the UK-based charities Help Yateem and Islamic Relief. Beyond her media company and ongoing work in fashion, Mariah continues to advocate for better representation in the industry. "There's still so much work to do in ensuring that Muslim women are authentically portrayed in media and fashion." As for immediate plans, after spending her first Eid away from family, she's heading to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. "It'll be a different experience," she says, "but a meaningful one."
Khaleej Times
05-03-2025
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week 2025 to take place this April
Modest fashion is taking over runways around the globe – and in the UAE, we will get to see the best of the best this April. Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week 2025 will run on Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi from April 14 to 16, and it promises to be world-class. The 10th edition of the event will bring together top designers, influencers, media and industry leaders under the theme: Celebrate Modesty, Celebrate Diversity, Celebrate Yourself. This edition will feature over 30 fashion shows, trendsetting brand showcases, high-profile networking events, and thought-provoking discussions. More than 30 designers and 100 international influencers are expected. Among the fashionistas expected are Halima Aden, Mariah Idrissi, and Rawdah Mohamed.
