Paris has hosted its first Modest Fashion Week, featuring around 30 designers showcasing collections of loose-fitting clothing and headscarves aimed at modest dress markets.

The event brought together international designers presenting styles commonly worn by Muslim women in line with religious principles, with garments covering arms, legs and in some cases hair.

Organisers said holding the event in France carried symbolic weight, given the country’s long-running debate over religious clothing in public life under its strict secularism laws.

France is home to an estimated 5–7.5 million Muslims, and the event was described by organisers as positioning Paris as a growing hub for modest fashion in Europe.

Runway collections inside a historic venue near the Champs-Élysées featured floral designs, flowing silhouettes and nature-inspired colour palettes, alongside more contemporary streetwear-influenced looks.

Designers from countries including Nigeria, Turkey, Indonesia and Australia showcased contrasting interpretations, ranging from soft romantic dresses to structured, sporty outfits influenced by Gen Z fashion trends.

The modest fashion industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, with global spending projected to exceed $400 billion by next year, according to industry research.

While originally focused on Muslim consumers, the sector is increasingly attracting wider audiences across different religious and non-religious groups.

The event also took place against the backdrop of France’s secularism laws, which restrict religious symbols in certain public spaces, including state schools, where headscarves and other religious garments are banned.

Some designers and attendees said the Paris showcase reflected growing acceptance of modest fashion, while others noted ongoing restrictions in parts of French public life, including limits on certain religious swimwear in public facilities.

Several attendees said the event represented increased visibility for Muslim women in fashion and public culture, with some describing it as a sign of greater inclusion in French society.