Burkha

Samir Nair

Reasons to Enlist Burkha in Global Fashion

Whenever we talk about fashion, we always refer to Western countries like Europe Milan fashion week, Cannes fashion, etc. But only a few will admit that the rapid growth of traditional Islamic wears like burkha and hijabs has identified a bigger market in countries like Indonesia, India, UAE, and in some other countries where the Muslim population is fairly high!

One of the major reasons to include hijab in modern fashion is,

· Its popularity as a Muslim fashion is on the rise in countries like Indonesia 

· There’s a huge growing market where women are much prone to wear veil and headscarf

· Veils and Hijab is no longer a taboo amongst maximum women to conceal their face behind the curtains 

However, there’s a quite high demand for veils and headscarves for a long time in India. According to one of the Bangalore based fashionable Islamic clothing and garment store owner, “Last year I have sold more than 1000 pieces of embroidered burqa along with designed abayas and Aztec kaftans. From the beginning of the year itself, bulk orders have already been dispatched to UAE, and plenty of orders are yet to be dispatched”. However, a deep insight through the reasons behind the increasing demand for Burka as a fashion accessory justifies the following facts that admit traditional Islamic wears a part of global fashion now. 

Growing market and customers 

The growing market for combo hijab and burqini is not a new thing. However, today, Islamic fashion has breached the eastern and western markets, becoming a profitable business now. More than 60-70% of women prefer wearing scarves and veils in different ways in Indonesia. It’s one reason why a social media platform like YouTube has become an ideal place for online hijab tutorial sessions, offering several ways to fold a headscarf and gently part hair according to different folds. Each fold symbolizes the unique form of Burka Fashion accepted globally after going viral on the internet rapidly. Such an increasing rise in Islamic fashion opened up several avenues for boutiques and garment stores where maximum products are combo veils with abaya coats, Moroccan kaftans, burqinis, Jalabia dresses.

It’s about comfort rather than pinning it down as a social taboo.

In a country like Afghanistan, post to the ‘fatwa’ launched by the Taliban’s the fashion industry faced a grave loss. If the economic survey is believed, the kaftan traders faced an irreparable loss due to one such initiative. That’s one reason why traditional Islamic dresses are blended with modern fashion to cater to a rather contemporary fashionable look. In countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, veils are handcrafted by the traders and boutique store owners and are sent in bulk quantity to Gulf countries. Such initiatives are helping the Islamic fashion industry to gain popularity, and that’s how they’re slowly coming to fame.

Emirates turned into a hub for Iranian styled Combo hijabs, burqini, and abaya coats.

Emirates are one of the fastest-growing countries in the world where modern fashion has been assimilated with conventional dresses, and the buyers have accepted innovative burka designs. According to one of the boutique owners, during the time of Ramzan, they roughly make a profit of 50 to 60 lakhs in INR from the combo styled burqini, abaya coats. In addition, the Moroccon georgette zari work embroidered kaftans have also taken sufficient acceptance in the market due to its offbeat style and rich embroidery works.

A lot of celebrities have shown their interest in Islamic Fashion

Even a well-known celebrity and a fashion icon like Lady Gaga was once seen setting the red carpet of the Cannes film festival on fire with her iconic burqa on the launch of her ARTPOP album in 2013. Several celebrities have tried their hands on various combinations that primarily focus on traditional Islamic fashion sense. Some even admitted that the royal black burqa is a gorgeous complement with Moroccan quarter sleeves and quarter neck kameezes. Global fashion has broken down every boundary to enlist popular viral fashion trends these days, and it’s nothing absurd if the hijab has already been categorized in it. 

After all, a specific outfit or a costume turns popular when it’s acclaimed worldwide. 

Samir Nair

Burqa: Sign of Modesty and Modernity

Whenever we hear the word burqa or Burkha or Burka, the first picture that pop-up into our mind is of a woman wearing a black long flowy dress. But in real now the burqa is no longer black and boring. It has been transformed according to modernity and changing fashion needs.

For the past 1500 years, Islamic women are using Burqa as a symbol of modernity. But now it no longer black and boring. Though the burqa has always been a prime topic for debate, it has been able to grow according to the changing fashion. The term ‘Burka fashion’ is used to describe the whole scenario. 

Women wear different colors Burkha Designs

In the current time, Women are seen wearing a lot more colorful burka. They use to wear it at the office, public places, and even at parties. It makes them look extremely sophisticated. Burqas are also available in different designs while some are available in different embroideries. Also, women can wear matching accessories with burka to add some glittery effects to it. Earlier the burqa was just used to cover women’s bodies and protect them from the bad eyes of men, but now, the burka has become a new concept of modernity. There are many burka designs available in the market. They can choose from different fabrics, embroideries, colors, and everything. They are not forced to wear Black Burqa. 

Modern Burkha clothing changing trends

Women have the freedom to choose from different types of Islamic clothing items. They just have to follow the dignity of their culture. Women can now buy their garments online or from regular stores. They have a lot more variety from which they can choose according to their taste. Even many actresses have been seen wearing a burqa. It is a very good example of changing trends and modernity.

The demand for modern burka is giving many new designers to show their creativity on plain cloth. It has been seen that many designers are selling some amazing collection of Burka. It gives a chance for women to get the garment of their choice. They are experimenting with their style and survive in this modern world. Few have shifted from Black Burqa to hijab. In this way, they are maintaining the modernity and dignity of their religion.

Old Generation Thinking vs Modern Generation Thinking

But do you think wearing a simple Black burqa is a big deal? Many old Islamic women still believe that the original color of the burka is black or blue. They say that they can only maintain their dignity by wearing it. In contrast to this, the new generation thinks that modernity is very important to survive in this century. They also added that women are free to opt for anything. 

Though we live in the 21st century, this argument over wearing a black burqa is still going on. The only solution for this problem is that women should be given freedom for wearing whatever they love while maintaining the dignity of their religion.

Samir Nair

Beautiful 5 Burqa Designs for the Modern Ladies

The Burqa or Burka is the traditional attire that every Muslim woman is seen wearing. They are long robes that mostly come in black, which hold great importance in the Islamic culture. Muslim women all over the Middle Eastern countries don this traditional garment.

However, with the passing times, this Muslim clothing has undoubtedly seen a major evolution from its traditional simplicity to its modern extravagance! Nowadays, women can get many different burka designs and styles in the market, which meet the various modern trends in the fashion industry!

Therefore, we have listed the 5 major burqa designs that have taken the traditional fashion by a storm for women who wish to modernize themselves through their wardrobes!

1. Kaftan Style Burqa!

The Kaftan-style burkhas are popularly worn by women for parties, functions, and all different types of traditional occasions! These Kaftan Burqas are often loose and long, with robe-style sleeves! You can also find this Islamic dress with a belted tunic cut, which gives you a very beautiful look!

They are very elaborately designed with embroidery and also come with attractive embellishments. Such burqa designs can be easily found in a variety of fabric types ranging from georgette and silk to cotton and satin!

2. Open Style Burqa!

This style of burkha falls under the more modern and contemporary style which is adorned by the more fashion-forward women! These burka designs flatter your body very elegantly and make you look regal and sophisticated! Such burqas often have thin belts on the waists that make it possible to tie the open fronts, to style them uniquely!

Such a style is perfect to be worn to fashionable parties as well as to formal occasions! They provide you with a very modern look while still being suitable as per the traditional norms!

3. The Butterfly Burqa

This type of burkha is called the ‘butterfly burqa’ because of its unique sleeve design! The sleeves of such burka designs are wide and open, which makes them look like wings attached to the body! This modest dress is made up of fabrics that are flowy and soft such as chiffon or silk! 

There are often intricate embroidery and beadwork on the hems and neckline of these styles of burqas, which makes them perfect for casual, party, or even formal occasions! 

4. Floral Print Burqa

Being very different than traditional black burqas, the floral printed burkha designs are one of the most popular ways of making yourself look fashionable and trendy! The simple plain burkhas can also be turned into this style by embroidering floral patterns on the plain cloth! 

Styling such burqas for various occasions is very easy as you can wear them for casual outings as well as for high-end parties!

5. Moroccan Style Burqa!

The Moroccan-style burqas are probably the most attractive forms of Muslim Clothing. Being very elegant and beautiful in designs, this style of burkha falls around your body perfectly! It is very popular among women like this style suits women of all body types!

The above-mentioned burqa designs are a few of the popular ways in which the traditional garment is made to match with the modern styles! If you are someone who likes to be fashionable, while still being traditional, opting for these styles is the best way to do so!