Modest fashion from Malaysian and Indonesian designers shines at IFF 2024
The Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) 2024 was a celebration of contemporary Muslim fashion. The event showcased over 100 stunning designs by 10 talented designers from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Among them were IFF Founder and Chairman Raja Rezza Shah Raja Aman Shah, Jaya Wati, and Torang Sitorus. This group of designers brought cultural richness and diversity to the Islamic fashion community at the event.
IFF took place on Aug 5-6 and was broadcast on Aug 11 at Istimewa Anggun on TVS. Unlike conventional fashion shows, IFF was hosted at Pahang’s heritage buildings, the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, also called the Pahang State Museum, in Pekan and the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Museum, better known as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Kuantan.
The Pahang State Museum Director and co-host of the event, Datuk Ahmad Farid Abd Jalal, credited Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Maimunah Iskandariah for making IFF 2024 in Pekan possible.
Farid insisted that the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, once the Kota Beram Palace, was an ideal backdrop for the event. Likewise, Tunku Azizah saw hosting the IFF in Pekan as an opportunity to promote the town on a global scale.
She further showed her support by inaugurating the event. Notable attendees included Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, and Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Shah.
VALUING MODESTY
“Dressing modestly should start with proper coverage,” said Raja Rezza.
His message captures modest dressing in the context of Islamic teachings, aligning with the values promoted at IFF 2024.
Raja Rezza was determined to show that Islamic fashion goes beyond mere adherence to Islamic guidelines but rather enhances one’s self-respect and beauty.
“Think of our bodies as gifts. How we present them adds to their value,” he added.
Showcasing the various clothing and hijab styles worn by Muslim women across the world, IFF 2024 underscores its role in addressing misconceptions about Muslim women’s attire. In addition to this, IFF is also pivotal to the international promotion of modest fashion.
In fact, the event served as a launchpad for the Indonesian Global Halal Fashion (IGHF) roadshow. It elevated the global stature of Indonesian modest fashion.
HALAL TEXTILE
Indonesia is currently prioritising the development of its halal value chain through modest fashion. This move includes a strategic focus on halal textiles and incorporating halal-certified materials into its fashion industry.
The IGHF roadshow was a result of a collaborative effort between the Halal Product Assurance Body (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, and KainHalal.
This collaborative effort aims to introduce halal modest fashion that not only meets global standards but also incorporates unique Indonesian textile traditions, furnishing a distinctive edge in the global market.
For IGHF, 10 renowned Indonesian fashion designers will be featured. Participating designers are expected to showcase halal woven fabrics using traditional techniques. These traditional methods comprised batik, weaving, ulos, lurik songket (woven patterns), and ecoprint.
Notably, IFF 2024 also featured designs by non-Muslim designers, who each brought fresh perspectives to the event while also respecting the principles of modesty. Their participation helped challenge the misconception that modest fashion is exclusive to Muslims.
The closing of IFF in Kuantan was celebrated with the launch of Malaysian artist Syed Thajudeen Shaik Abu Talib’s solo art exhibition titled ‘Weaving Love and Faith,’ along with his high-art fashion label.
His debut collection, ‘Regal Malay Reverie’ and ‘Eternal Moghul Opulence,’ was first unveiled at MOCA and will be on display until Feb 28, 2025. – 
@Halal
