The fashion industry has embraced hijabs and abayas. For the first time, in 2015, Dolce & Gabbana released a collection of hijabs and abayas targeting Muslim shoppers in the Middle East. Here's a look at their take on modest dressing.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabbana's Middle Eastern collection —
The fashion industry has embraced hijabs and abayas. For the first time, in 2015, Dolce & Gabbana released a collection of hijabs and abayas targeting Muslim shoppers in the Middle East. Here's a look at their take on modest dressing.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
The collection was first revealed on Style.com/Arabia on January 3.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
The collection was first revealed on Style.com/Arabia on January 3.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
The hijab and abaya are common garments worn throughout the Middle East.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
The hijab and abaya are common garments worn throughout the Middle East.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana is typically known for its feminine, overtly sexual designs.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
Dolce & Gabbana is typically known for its feminine, overtly sexual designs.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
These looser robes signify a distinct departure from their usual look.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
These looser robes signify a distinct departure from their usual look.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
While they may not fit the usual Dolce & Gabbana silhouettes, they carry other hallmarks.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
While they may not fit the usual Dolce & Gabbana silhouettes, they carry other hallmarks.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
The robes are made of silky georgette and charmeuse.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
The robes are made of silky georgette and charmeuse.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
Lemon, floral and polka dot motifs are used in their Spring-Summer 2016 collection.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
Lemon, floral and polka dot motifs are used in their Spring-Summer 2016 collection.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
Intricate lace also features prominently.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
Intricate lace also features prominently.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana is one of many Western brands starting to target the lucrative Muslim fashion industry.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
Dolce & Gabbana is one of many Western brands starting to target the lucrative Muslim fashion industry.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
The collection will be available in all of Dolce & Gabbana's Middle East boutiques, and select European stores.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
The collection will be available in all of Dolce & Gabbana's Middle East boutiques, and select European stores.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
This is not the first time Dolce & Gabbana has done collections inspired by specific regions and countries.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabanna's Middle Eastern collection —
This is not the first time Dolce & Gabbana has done collections inspired by specific regions and countries.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana 10
Last year, they created collections inspired by China, Japan, and Moscow.
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabbana's Middle Eastern collection —
Last year, they created collections inspired by China, Japan, and Moscow.
Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana
The hijab goes haute: Dolce & Gabbana's Middle Eastern collection

Story highlights

Dolce & Gabbana has released a line of hijabs and abayas

The traditionally Muslim garments channel the brand's Italian aesthetic

They're available at Dolce & Gabbana boutiques in the Middle East, and in select European stores

Muslim shoppers' spending on clothing and footwear hit $266 billion in 2013, this could reach $488 billion by 2019

CNN  — 

Luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana is eschewing its signature sexy silhouettes for something a little more modest – for one special collection at least.

For the first time, designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have released a collection of hijabs and abayas (ankle-length robes) targeting Muslim shoppers in the Middle East.

The new line (fully named The Abaya Collection: The Allure of the Middle East) debuted exclusively on Style.com/Arabia earlier this week. According to a press release, it’s intended as “an enchanting visual story about the grace and beauty of the marvelous women of Arabia.”

READ: H&M’s latest look – Hijab-wearing Muslim model stirs debate

This time, Dolce & Gabbana’s usual figure-hugging designs were replaced with long black and beige dresses made of georgette and charmeuse fabrics. Some feature the daisy, lemon, polka dot and rose prints from their Spring-Summer 2016 collection, while others are embellished with lace.

The collection went on sale this month, and is available at all of the brand’s boutiques in the Middle East, as well as select stores in Paris, London, Milan and Munich.

The Italian house joins a growing list of labels courting the increasingly lucrative Muslim market. According to a recent Thomson Reuters report, Muslim shoppers spent $266 billion on clothing and footwear in 2013, and that figure could reach $488 billion by 2019.

RELATED: London activists, J.K. Rowling react to burkini ban in France

Recently, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY and fast-fashion retailer Mango have released capsule lines to coincide with Ramadan, and luxury e-retailers Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi have started curating merchandise for Ramadan. Similarly, H&M was praised for including a hijab-wearing model in a video encouraging consumers to recycle their clothes last fall.

However, this is not the first time the brand has released collections targeting specific regions. In October, Dolce & Gabbana released a collection inspired by Moscow in connection with a new boutique opening. The brand also released one-off collections for Japanese and Chinese shoppers in early 2015.