A largely untapped market is fashion that adheres to Islamic restrictions and Malaysia is attempting to position itself as the fashion capital for the Muslim world, says Jennifer Pak of the BBC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

According to BBC News, "that modesty can be beautiful is the message that organizers of the Islamic fashion festival in Kuala Lumpur want to send to Muslims and non-Muslims alike."

Tom Abang Saufi, a Malaysian designer, says many non-Muslims equate Islamic wear to covering yourself in black. Yet, one can be religious and fashionable at the same time, she claims.

By definition, Islamic wear should cover everything except the face and palms. So as to not attract unwanted attention, the garment should not show off one's figure. However, how that is interpreted in the Islamic world varies from designer to designer and nation to nation.

Ms. Tom's designs have included an array of bright-colored tunics made of silk.

She said, "I don't just dress them in black." She added that Islamic wear can be "a thing of beauty rather than something that is prohibitive."

As reported by the BBC, "the Islamic fashion festival is part of Malaysia's international fashion week. It will show Muslim women different ways of covering themselves, says the chairman and founder, Raja Rezza Shah."

The 48-year-old claims he created the event in 2006 as a method to make Islamic fashion more mainstream. Since then, more than 200 designers from all over the globe have participated. Mr. Rezza notes that half of them are non-Muslim.

Mr. Rezza said, "I am proud to say that at least we have proven that Islam, or Islamic activities, is not a platform that will frighten non-Muslims away."

The BBC reports that, "over the last three years, Mr. Rezza has taken their shows to Jakarta and Dubai. They hope to hold one in Monte Carlo next August. Mr. Rezza sees a lot of potential in the Islamic fashion market with Kuala Lumpur as the center."

To read the entire article from the BBC News, link here:

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