Style Focus - Abaya Styles on the Red Carpet

I found this very interesting visual article from the BBC on the hopeful emergence of the abaya in Western fashion circles. It only goes for a few minutes and contains interview excerpts from the major abaya label founders of DAS and Barjis.

I've seen more and more celebrities wearing abaya-esque cut designs for formal red carpet events, so in a way the beginnings have already been made; after all at its most basic level it's just a long sleeved, long dress, regardless of which colour is used. Keep in mind we are talking about a statement abaya (the flashy, Westernised, designer type) not the casual, plain ones you run to the shop in to grab some milk. Just check out Angelina Jolie who I have featured before because of her regular usage of elegant long abaya-like outfits.

Her Elie Saab coral split dress would be a perfect abaya (minus the split of course). DAS have a similar style, available in light peach, in their resort 2012 line. Matched with Louboutin heels, Montana ring & Anaconda grey moonstone ring.

Carrie Underwood in a gorgeous silver white floor length gown next to Effa's sequinned edgy wonder from their Spring/Summer 2012 collection.


For a truer abaya version, I love Roselle's entire collection. They always incorporate lots of lovely old European style lace, reminiscent of a bygone era, creating a dainty look mixed with the traditional black abaya. I can imagine Cate Blanchett's recent Oscar dress perfectly amalgamated with any Roselle abaya.


What do you think? Do you imagine statement abayas ever being worn by non-Muslim women on regular style basis?