Beyond what the eye can see. A research-based modest fashion collection for muslim women

Abstract

«Beyond What the Eye Can See» is a fashion collection and research-based project that explores the layered realities of modest fashion, particularly through the lens of Muslim women’s experiences. While fashion is often perceived as visual, this work shifts the focus to what lies beneath: belief systems, personal conflicts, identity, and the burden of representation. The collection presents seven looks – each representing a different way modesty is lived, chosen, and negotiated. Modesty is not static; it moves with context, confidence, and experience. Through this, the collection reveals its depth: modest fashion as texture, process, and expression. This project is guided by two core research questions: How can a fashion brand design innovative, sustainable, and functional modest clothing that meets the specific needs of Muslim women? How can the hijab be a fashionable choice for non-Muslim individuals, encouraging cultural exchange and unity across different communities? This work responds to the lack of authentic representation of Muslim women in mainstream fashion. It steps into light – not for exposure, but for recognition. It invites to see the quiet strength, complexity and agency within modest fashion, telling a story that reaches beyond what the eye can see.