In brief
The first Modest Fashion Week in Paris featured diverse styles from Muslim designers, emphasizing inclusivity and celebrating the role of modest clothing in the fashion industry. Designers like Rukaiya Kamba and Fatou Doucouré highlighted the importance of this event in a country where religious clothing has faced restrictions. Amidst a backdrop of changing perceptions, participants expressed pride and a sense of belonging in an evolving French culture.
Paris has held its first ever Modest Fashion Week - hosting nearly 30 designers whose collections include loose, long-cut garments and headscarves.
It's the kind of clothing many Muslim women choose to wear in line with their religious principles - covering their arms, legs and sometimes hair.
There was a particular significance to setting it in France, where hijabs and other religious clothing have frequently made headlines and are restricted in certain settings.
Rukaiya Kamba, the creative director of Nigerian brand Flaunt Archive, said the decision to present her collection in Paris came from a very intentional place. As models took to the runway, some young attendees told the BBC they felt the event demonstrated a more inclusive French culture taking shape.
France is home to around 5-7.5 million Muslims according to estimates, and Özlem Şahin, head of the organisation behind Modest Fashion Week, has described Paris as one of the leading modest fashion capitals in Europe.
Inside Hôtel Le Marois, a mansion just off the Champs-Élsyées, the focus was on florals and nature-inspired hues. Designers like Hicran Önal showcased romantic floral tulle dresses, while Aisa Hassan brought in warmer tones inspired by nature.
The market for modest fashion has grown rapidly in the past decade and is expanding beyond Muslim women into wider communities.
Soutoura's founder, Fatou Doucouré, expressed pride in hosting the event in Paris, a city where she had previously struggled with her hijab. She emphasized that Muslim women can take on any role in any society. The event aligns with changing attitudes about modest fashion in a country working through its complex relationship with religious symbols.
