Cooper Hewitt NY
Contemporary Muslim Fashions
Contemporary Muslim Fashions explores how Muslim women—those who cover their heads and those who do not—have become arbiters of style within and outside their groups. As designers and entrepreneurs, they have demonstrated that clothing can be up-to-date and yet meet the needs of diverse wearers. They used their leverage as consumers to form the world mode markets. And as writers, bloggers, and influencers, they have faced lack of representation in conventional fashion narratives and have drawn international attention to the vitality of a modest Muslim style.
Contemporary Muslim Fashions features about 80 sets of well-established and emerging designers in high-end fashion, streetwear, sportswear and couture, as well as about 40 photographs. Interviews and footage of designers at work in their studios introduce a new generation of designers—75% of designers, artists and influencers at the exhibition are Muslim women under the age of 40—and focus on entrepreneurship, inclusion, and sustainable and ethical practises. And as journalists, bloggers, and influencers, they have faced lack of representation in their studios.
Explore the collection
Contemporary Muslim Fashions
This exhibition started on February 28, 2020 and is on display until it’s not. There were 122 objects in this exhibition but right now we can only show you 115 of them. Some objects may not be viewable because they were on loan; this might be due to issues involving image rights or simply because there is no digitized image for the objects.