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For Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan is a time for new beginnings. With this in mind, the newly established Indonesia Islamic Fashion Consortium decided that this would be the perfect moment to proclaim the country the world’s Muslim fashion center. The organization is presenting the first-ever Indonesia Islamic Fashion Fair at Plaza Indonesia mall, currently ongoing until Sept. 3.

“[The idea of] Indonesia as the world’s Muslim fashion center: Is it merely a dream? I believe not,” said Jetti R Hadi, editor in chief of Noor, a magazine specializing in Muslim fashion, and the cultural and educational director of the fashion fair.

“Over the years, Indonesia’s Muslim fashion industry has grown very well, with various designs, colors and styles that make Indonesian women look chic and fashionable when they’re attired in the Muslim way,” Jetti said.

The consortium, which consists of fashion designers and members of the media and other industries related to Muslim fashion, hopes to expand the industry by encouraging investment, supporting fashion designers and looking for new talent and market potential.

“We’re the motivators for the industry [to grow],” said Taruna K Kusmayadi, chairman of the fashion fair.

The event kicked off on Aug. 3 with a fashion show by Shafira, a 20-year-old label from Bandung that has developed a reputation as the brand of choice for upper-class Muslims.

With the theme “For All Generations,” Shafira’s Idul Fitri collection consisted of 137 outfits for men and women of all ages.

“We want to encourage people to pay more attention, not only to their spouses and kids, but also to their parents and grandparents by giving them new clothes to wear,” said Elidawati, Shafira’s director of operations and marketing.

“Everyone wants to look good for the holy day,” she added.

The fashion show opened with a performance of Islamic songs accompanied by drums and a violin.

Eight women kneeled in the center stage, dressed in golden-hued mukena (long veils for praying), before they folded their sajadah (prayer mats) and began to gracefully dance on the catwalk.

They looked beautiful with their mukenas adorned with lace, ruffles and bows.

“We want to make Indonesian women look beautiful even when they’re praying,” Elidawati said.

With its new collection, Shafira is also designing daily wear for men and women.

“These are clothes you can wear for taking a walk or going to the supermarket and malls,” Elidawati said. “They’re chic and simple, without any elaborate embellishments.”

Made of cotton, the women’s blouses have stylish A-line silhouettes with empire cuts. The design’s simplicity is enhanced with crinkles and floral or plaid prints.

One model wore a long-sleeved T-shirt and tight leggings covered with a flared, hooded vest.

Another had on an asymmetrical crinkled top with bold plaid motifs that was draped gracefully on her body.

Fancy headdresses with elaborate ornaments, which were once in fashion, were nowhere to be seen in Shafira’s collection. Instead, the models wore simple headscarves made of chiffon or cotton.

Among Shafira’s more classic designs were H-line tunics and abayas (robe-like dresses) adorned with ornate embroidery around the neck and shoulders.

For those who prefer a more feminine look, there were long dresses with high collars decorated with colorful beads.

Hand-crafted copper ornaments from Central Java were also used as buckles to enhance some of the designs.

But what really stole the show was a long red dress made of silk and layered with floral chiffon. The flimsy and delicate material dallied gracefully around the model’s legs as she sashayed down the catwalk.

A streamlined terracotta-colored abaya with gold lace embellishments around the chest also turned heads.

The men’s collection was mostly classically styled, with high-neck collars and fine embroidery around the chest and cuffs.

More contemporary looks included a short-sleeved beige shirt embellished with animal prints and a black band around the neck.

Shafira also integrated traditional fabric into its new collection. Vibrant hand-woven material from Jepara, Central Java, and Makassar, South Sulawesi, were made into cropped jackets that enhanced the otherwise plain abayas.

“It’s our diversity that enriches our fashion and cultures,” said Jetti, the cultural and education director of the fashion fair.

“Hopefully, these Muslim fashions will portray Indonesia as it should be [portrayed] to the world, as a country known for being peaceful and for respecting differences.”

The Indonesia Islamic Fashion Fair also features exhibitions and trunk shows by 31 of the country’s most prominent Muslim fashion designers, as well as Islamic music performances on weekends.

Indonesia Islamic Fashion Fair: A fashion exhibition of 31 Muslim designers Aug. 13-Sept. 3,  10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Plaza Indonesia, Levels 1, 2 and 4  Islamic Music Performances Aug. 21, 22 and 28 Stage area, level 4  ‘Journey Toward the Leading Light’ Fashion trunk show by 31 Muslim fashion designers Aug. 23 and Sept. 3, 4:30 p.m. to  5:30 p.m.