13th May 2008
American Students Design Abayas
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You can hear the conservatives saying it now, it’s that damned Barack Obama’s fault our kids are designing Muslim garb. Alas Obama can’t be blamed for this one. In actuality the assignment came from Virginia Commonwealth University. The task: design an Abaya, the long black cloak-like Muslim garb that women wear for modesty in Muslim countries. If that’s not the reason, there’s sure to be comments correcting that last statement. By Americanizing the Abaya, the students took a staid religious fashion and turned it on it’s ear. The Abayas coming out of VCU feature everything from ornate beading to princess seams and high waists. The main functionality of the Abaya (keeping the female form hidden and maintaining modesty) remains intact with the student’s designs, but the intent is clear making a fashionable statement with a cultural fixture.
online: VCU
Posted by Eva @ 6:15 am
