Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week 2025 concluded its three-day celebration today at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, marking the event’s 10th anniversary. The fashion week brought together an eclectic and vibrant mix of runway shows, panel discussions, brand exhibitions, and curated talks, all centered around the evolving landscape of modest fashion.
This year’s edition featured 30 fashion shows and 50 brand showcases, with six thoughtfully arranged discussions to complement the creative presentations. Designers and labels from across the globe—including Turkey, Nigeria, Palestine, Australia, and the UAE—brought a rich international perspective to the event, emphasizing the dynamic diversity of modest wear in contemporary fashion.
Model Halima Aden, a trailblazer in modest fashion, opened the runway for Turkish swimwear brand Marina. Wearing a teal top with brown leggings and a matching skirt beneath a sheer, patterned cover-up, Aden reaffirmed her long-standing relationship with the brand. She had previously collaborated with Marina on a collection in 2024 and also opened its show during that year’s Modest Fashion Week in Istanbul.
UAE-based Bespoke Atelier unveiled its latest collection, supported by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. The brand maintained its signature aesthetic of bold color and joyful energy. Among the standout garments were dresses in primrose yellow, flame orange, mustard, and a coordinated olive green skirt with a matching bolero. Other eye-catching looks included a pleated amethyst gown and a sequinned navy teal ensemble. However, the radiant, long-sleeved puffball gown in glowing marigold stole the spotlight as the collection’s crowning piece.
Soleil, another prominent UAE label, offered a more subdued palette in contrast. Presenting dresses in nudes, creams, and soft greens, the brand focused on elegant, timeless silhouettes. One highlight was a pale putty dress with caped sleeves and a subtly embellished peplum. Another notable piece featured slashed sleeves and gentle beadwork around the armholes, while ostrich feathers and drawstring waists added softness and ease to the overall mood.
From Nigeria, Afrik Abaya made a bold impression on the runway by merging vibrant adire and ankara prints with traditional abaya forms. The collection stood out with its contrast of vivid wax-print fabrics against deep black bases. Dramatic features such as bold necklines, expressive sleeves, and towering headwraps brought the designs to life. The performance was heightened by two models clad entirely in white, twirling with long, trailing sleeves that painted expressive shapes in the air.
Iran’s National Fashion Clothing and Lifestyle presentation brought together a range of designers from across the country, each offering a distinct vision. Among the most memorable looks were a soft grey, beaded column dress paired with a cape of pink roses, and tailored trouser suits in glossy black satin, decorated with intricate Rococo-style gold patterns. A dramatic black cape adorned with white applique also turned heads. Yet the most captivating piece was a gown with a voluminous skirt styled to mimic butterfly wings, creating a breathtaking spectacle as it glided down the runway.
The 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week succeeded in weaving together heritage, innovation, and cultural diversity, offering a powerful vision for the future of modest fashion on a global stage.
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