Rabia Z. Fashion Show Brings 'Modest' Couture To The Runway (PHOTOS)

Most fashion shows are an exercise in slinky dresses, plummeting necklines and miniskirts the size of washclothes. Some, like last week's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, comprised even less fabric than that. But you didn't find any flashes of skin on the runway at Rabia Z.'s One Night Only fashion show at Casa La Femme in New York last night. Instead, the Muslim designer draped her models in clothing that was totally chic while still covered up.

Rabia, whose tradition is "both Afghani and Arab," calls her work "conservative couture" and aspires to design attire for women that's modest but also modern. In 2007, she nabbed the Emerging Designer award for her debut collection at the Dubai Fashion Week. Since then, it's been a fast track for Rabia in the world of fashion design for Muslim women; she showed at Miami Fashion Week last year and launched a high end street label, Ruby, and even designed an outfit for Barbie.

At last night's show at Casa La Femme, models walked down the catwalk with covered heads and flowy clothes. Some wore long pants with stilettos; other were draped in hijab, the traditional Muslim head covering, in all kinds of colors. There were flowing dresses over skinny pants, pops of floral print, and even some funky hats. We're loving how gorgeous the models look -- who needs to see skin with fab outfits like these?

You can shop online at Rabia's website: a gorgeous cape-top goes for about $150; colorful dusters are $160. Maybe outspoken burqa fan Kim Kardashian will be stocking up?

Check out images from Rabia Z.'s runway show below.

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Comments

[Beka13]

04:00 PM on 12/21/2011

When I spent a lot of time in Amsterdam, some of the most stylist dressers there were the Muslim women in their veils.

[DemsNRepubsSame]

03:28 PM on 12/21/2011

Sorry Z but this fashion show in Turkey is way better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0STp3VuVM6o&feature=related

[kilthistle]

03:02 PM on 12/21/2011

How can fashions be modest if they cling to the figure? Why are modest women allowed to wear make-up? Isn't the purpose of make-up to make a woman more appealing, which is what they want to avoid?

[libluv235]

12:16 AM on 12/22/2011

ditto

[theroundearth]

02:29 PM on 12/21/2011

Modesty is not just a question of being covered up.
A woman doesn't have to be modest, but if she wants to, it's contradictory to wear showy colors and pricey clothes. If she chooses to put herself in view, she can drop her head-covering all the same.

[Sarah Nix]

02:10 PM on 12/21/2011

Sorry, I wanted to like these outfits, I really did .... but no, just awful. Frumpy, messy and out-dated. The models look like they are women trapped in the 70s with absolutely no fashion sense.

[Quotidien]

11:09 AM on 11/21/2011

The clothes are classy and humble...the models' faces are snooty and obnoxious.

[SeeTheFnords]

01:10 PM on 11/20/2011

There are some beautiful outfits on display here. May the designer continue to grow and flourish.

[psychobombshell]

08:08 AM on 11/20/2011

Interesting design esthetic, but a little too on the 70's resort wear vibe for my personal taste. Glad to see a major news outlet in the US show off a talented designer of modest clothing!

[Nana610]

10:51 PM on 11/19/2011

Why not have a fashion show focused on styles for Muslim women? It is, after all, the world's largest religion. Some of these are very, very pretty.

[bajingobells]

03:23 PM on 12/21/2011

I agree! I am no fan of the head coverings but the judging of a woman's worth measured in cleavage has to stop. Many of these outfits are lovely and I would wear them. I wouldn't let any of the slut wear from Donatella in my house.

[see-ellen2001]

10:37 PM on 11/19/2011

She is very talented. Her use of colour and pattern is very sharp.

[singermuse]

03:40 PM on 11/19/2011

These are Beautiful! I am not a Muslim, but I'd wear these! (if I could afford them)

[LXIX WITHU]

06:41 PM on 11/18/2011

Where was this event held? Kandahar?

[grbbrvern]

04:56 PM on 11/18/2011

good makeup artists cuz only a few look good w/out it

[Emilybare]

10:50 AM on 11/18/2011

You know it's one thing to see this sort of stuff every once in awhile. But think of every woman dressed like that every day, whether she wants to be or not.

[Martha Stuart]

01:42 AM on 11/20/2011

That's the key - "Wheter she wants to or not." I like flowing clothing, but can't stand things wrapped around my neck or covering my head. It is too hot and restrictive. Can't imagine being forced to wear it.

[StrawHat]

11:29 PM on 12/21/2011

Me, too. I'd go insane. I can't stand to have anything pressing against the front of my neck unless it's below 32 degrees F.

I always wear v-neck blouses and sweaters.

I also love the wind in my hair -- I avoid a hat unless it's blazing hot at midday or again, if it's freezing.

[Pema]

07:24 AM on 11/18/2011

i wish her luck!