Contemporary Muslim Fashion Debuts at the de Young This Weekend

Good news if you need an escape from all the glorious sunshine this weekend: the de Young Museum is back with another fashion exhibit. After rave reviews and record crowds for the Cartier, Jean Paul Gaultier, Balenciaga, Oscar de la Renta, and High Style shows, this year’s style-centric offering is Contemporary Muslim Fashions.

Forget any preconceived notions you may have about somber burqas and niqabs: this display is filled with modern garments, brilliant pattern, and intricate detailing. Exhibition curator Jill D’Alessandro traveled throughout the Middle East and southeast Asia to meet with designers catering to Muslim clients and learn more about their work. From Saudi Arabia to Malaysia to Indonesia (the largest Muslim-majority country in the world), her geographically-diverse research culminates in what the museum calls the “first major museum exhibition to explore the complex, diverse nature of Muslim dress codes worldwide.”

Contemporary Muslim Fashion represents different religious interpretations and cultures, including high-end fashions, street wear, sportswear—hello, burkini!— and commissioned garments from emerging and established designers. The exhibition officially opens on Saturday, September 22 and continues through January 6, 2019. Admission is $28 for adults, $19 for students (with a valid ID), and free for members.