Over time, the fashion landscape for women in Oman has experienced significant shifts, influenced by globalization, cultural preservation efforts, and the growth of the fashion industry.
Traditionally, Omani women wore garments like the dishdasha and hijab, but with increased exposure to global trends, there's been a noticeable integration of Western fashion elements.
This has led to a diverse fashion scene where women can choose between traditional attire and modern styles, reflecting their individuality and cultural pride. Despite the influx of Western influences, there's a strong emphasis on preserving Omani heritage through clothing, especially during cultural events.
While Jilbab, the formal attire for women, is not new to Omani women, there has been a notable increase in its popularity recently, owing to its modest and elegant way of enhancing the wearer's appearance.
With its unique look and feel, the long, predominantly single-piece women's dress has emerged as a refreshing alternative, gaining traction in society and experiencing high demand, according to tailors and ready-made shop owners.
"Hijabs like the Jilbab have long been symbols of faith and identity among Muslim women for centuries. In today's culturally diverse society, where younger individuals choose to explore the world and often settle in new countries for various reasons, the presence of such garments in different countries has increased," says Azadeh Husseini Akram, a startup owner.
The Jilbab, also known as Jilbaab, Jubbah, or Jilaabah, is a long and loose-fitting outer garment traditionally characterized by its black color. Those who frequently wear the Jilbab believe it represents the true essence of Hijab and fulfills the Quranic requirement for women's attire.
This garment, long worn by women, has now gained popularity in the West, partly through changes in color, with lighter and more appealing hues introduced in the hope of broader acceptance in modern society. The online platform for Jilbab today fosters an international sisterhood united by faith, offering support services to Muslim women on their religious journey.
Contemporary brands like Jilbab celebrate this evolution by producing hijabs that honor tradition while recognizing the rights of modern Muslim women. Jilbab has also become a rapidly growing trend in countries such as India, Indonesia, and North Africa.
Azadeh, who established her boutique in Sweden, introduced Jilbab and other Abayas in lighter, more pleasant pastel colors to allow women to preserve and express their identity in the Western context.
"Later, we relocated Longweardesign to Oman, establishing Muscat as its base, and introduced Jilbabs and Abayas with a Western twist in lighter pastel colors. The response was tremendous, and we are confident that Oman will be the next rapidly growing market embracing the Jilbab," adds Azadeh, who is also a registered nurse with the Ministry of Health.
"We are assisting women in maintaining their modesty by promoting the wearing of abayas/jilbabs and hijabs," says Akram, who also serves as a security advisor for Cosafe Technology AB, a communication app platform.
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