Headscarf with a beret: Muslim designers showcase floral dresses and boxy streetwear in Paris

Headscarf with a beret: Muslim designers showcase floral dresses and boxy streetwear in Paris6 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleYasmin Khatun DewanThinkFashionFrench designer Fatou Doucouré (centre) said exhibiting her designs in Paris made her feel women who wear headscarves could "take on any role in society"Paris has held its first ever Modest Fashion Week - hosting nearly 30 designers whose collections include loose, long-cut garments and headscarves.It's the kind of clothing many Muslim women choose to wear in line with their religious principles - covering their arms, legs and sometimes hair.There was a particular significance to setting it in France, where hijabs and other religious clothing have frequently made headlines and are restricted in certain settings.Rukaiya Kamba, the creative director of Nigerian brand Flaunt Archive, said the decision to present her collection in Paris came from a "very intentional place".And as models took to the runway, some young attendees told the BBC they felt the event demonstrated a more inclusive French culture taking shape.Rooful AliLong, flowy dresses in floral colours lit up the runwayFrance is home to around 5-7.5 million Muslims according to estimates, and Özlem Şahin, head of the organisation behind Modest Fashion Week, has described Paris as "one of the leading modest fashion capitals in Europe".Inside Hôtel Le Marois, a mansion just off the Champs-Élsyées, the focus was on florals and nature-inspired hues.Hicran Önal, the founder and designer behind Turkey-based brand Miha, wore a printed floral tulle dress and told me romance was key to her collection.Her outfits blend water-like teals and blue, contrasting with natural floral pinks. Indonesian designer Nada Puspita followed suit, but with cleaner lines.Aisa Hassan, the designer behind Australian brand Asiyam, said she too had been inspired by nature but her references were decidedly warmer - with deeper greens and...