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The internationally-renowned Lebanese designer Akl Fakih has unveiled his latest abaya collection that comprises rich style masterpieces aimed at capturing the spirit of Ramadan 2010.
Akl Fakih's creations focus on bright colours that he says augment the sensation of the holy month and ease the heat of the summer season.
He said: "Women in the GCC tend to wear majestic black almost all year round. My motivation was to add sparks of lively, bright shades that reveal yet another beauty secret of ladies in the Gulf region.
"I am known for my passion for colours. I wanted to add a touch of colour and style to the authentic abaya. Pieces in the new collection try to create a perfect blend with the veil or 'hijab' adding to the serene beauty of ladies while still being appropriate for the holy month of Ramadan.
"I carefully choose accessories to spice up the splendour of the abaya design. Accessories can either dampen the design or add life to it."
The Lebanese-Emirati diva Diana Haddad will appear wearing abayas designed by Akel Fakih in a video clip of her latest song 'Ya hdiyya min Rabbina' (A Gift from God), which was specially prepared for the holy month.
The entertainer was crowned 'The Most Elegant Arab Star' of 2007 after wearing a silver dress designed by Fakih.
Akel Fakih has paved his way to acclaim with his 'elegant eastern quintessence blended with an international flavour', according to fashion design commentators.
The Arab fashion industry is set to further broaden its global appeal following years of steady acceptance and the growing support of top fashion icons, according to French Fashion University Esmod - Dubai.
The international Muslim fashion industry is estimated to be worth more than $96 billion, assuming that 50 per cent of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims each spend at least $120 a year on modest clothing.
Consumers in non-Islamic fashion-conscious countries, such as France and the UK, with higher purchasing power are willing to spend more than $600 a year on high-end clothing. In the UK alone there are more than 1.5 million Muslims, so the market for Muslim fashion could be worth somewhere between $90 million to $150 million a year. At this rate, the 16 million Muslims in the European Union represent a potential clothing market valued at an impressive $960 million to $1.5 billion a year.
Celebrity designers such as Christian Lacroix have been integrating Arabic styles into their wardrobes as they are intrigued by the emphasis given to the design rather than the body.
Meanwhile, a new generation of highly-talented designers is continuing to impress the fashion world with a fusion of modern and Muslim-inspired elements. Their works reflect the transition from plain and simple Arabic designs to more sophisticated creations that often use embroidered elements.
