Faith Fashion Fusion is the title of an exhibition at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum exploring the different ways that Muslim women in Australia express themselves through their attire.
Faith Fashion Fusion at the Melbourne Immigration Museum
The exhibition features mannequins displaying the clothes of various Muslim designers in Australia, including Shanaaz Jacobs-Copeland’s Yaz’s Designs, Dima Gheith of Dima G, and Aheda Zanetti with her Ahiida swim- and sportswear brand.
Yaz’s Designs at Faith Fashion Fusion
While the emphasis was on hijab-compliant wear, there were also some exhibits of ‘modest wear’ without hijab, but otherwise concealing. Ahiida featured the now famous “burqini”, the covering swimwear garment designed for Muslim women volunteering as surf lifesavers.
Dima G’s design at Faith Fashion Fusion
As well as the fashion exhibits, the exhibition features video interviews with the designers involved, and profiles with prominent Muslim women born in Australia or who call Australia home.
Faith Fashion Fusion at the Melbourne Immigration Museum
Although relatively small, Faith Fashion Fusion packs its punch in the details. It is an important exhibition which shines a light on what it means to be a Muslim, and particularly a Muslim woman in Australia today, a corner of our nation’s identity which is often discussed, but rarely understood.
A profile of ‘burqini’-clad surf lifesaver Mecca Laalaa at Faith Fashion Fusion at the Melbourne Immigration Museum
Faith Fashion Fusion is on at the Melbourne Immigration Museum until 9th June 2014.
It’s a very interesting place to visit, especially if you are interested in faith fashion and history as much as I am! Thanks Tim for sharing. I hope to make it there soon.
It was a very interesting place, especially considering the Muslim community in Australia is relatively young, it’s intriguing to see a culture in development.
Hi Tim, I found you through your comments on Sarah Somewhere’s blog. I’m a Melbournite too. I love that you wrote about this display – I used to work just around the corner from the Immigration Museum, so until recently I passed the signs for Faith, Fashion, Fusion every day.
If you ever want to connect with another Melbournian, drop me a line. 🙂
Hi Karyn, thanks for the message, and thanks for reading!! It’s great to connect with another Melbournian, I’ll drop you a line soon 🙂