Where Islamic fashion and politics meet
Turkey is a country that combines eastern and western ways of life. On the one hand, it is predominately Muslim. On the other hand, it seeking membership in the EU. In more recent years, however, the Islamist-rooted party in power has resulted in the spread of more religious conservatism. Islamic fashion brings about dualities of west and east such as whether or not to wear the veil, whether to be modern or traditional, fashionable or religious. Although this has prompted numerous debates, the Islamic fashion industry is flourishing, catering to the demand for fashionable modest dress. ISLAMICFASHION (Islamic fashion and the politics of belonging in contemporary Turkey) analysed debates and institutionalisation and also investigated innovation of design and assembly of Islamic fashion. Lastly, it examined arguments for and against Islamic fashion. Field work involved qualitative data collection such as participant observation in fashion-related events of various kinds. Researchers in Istanbul also interviewed fashion designers, fashion writers, producers and consumers. Following this, the collected data was analysed and results were disseminated via publications, conferences and workshops in Turkey and the EU. A final result is the presentation of the duality of Islamic fashion and the developments made in Turkey in recent years. Within this presentation, internal social and political debates come to the surface. Publication will be in the form of a book, as well as articles in peer-reviewed journals. Existing perspectives on Islamic dress will be challenged, while also enriching what the politics of belonging entail in modern-day Turkey.
Keywords
Turkey, Islamic fashion, politics of belonging
