Kolkata’s chic Islamic Boutique

Traditional Muslim wear like the burqa has just been transformed into haute couture. Kolkata’s Islamic

Boutique, the first fashion store exclusively for women, a 150 sq. ft. shop, is retailing burqas, coats, hijabs, bonnets and gloves in attractive colors and designs.

The burqas, brightly colored and black, are intricately embroidered with sequins and crystals in the neckline, sleeves and hemline. The smartly designed long-length corduroy coats, in pastel shades, sport show buttons. The brightly hued hijabs or scarves come in both the stitched format and otherwise. There are slip-on hijabs and the unstitched scarves in varying shades and prints that can be tied into place with stone-studded brooches.

Since the aim of Islamic Boutique is to offer Muslim women a choice while staying within the bounds of Islamic tradition, the store does not sell sleeveless or half-sleeved dresses. All dresses sold at Islamic Boutique are full-length, and see-through materials like lycra or chiffon are out.

Surprisingly, the store also sells traditional perfumes though Islam does not allow women to use perfume. The high-end burqas, coats and scarves are imported from Dubai. The store also retails T-shirts with Islamic messages, suits, kurtis, stoles and accessories like jewelry, Hyderabadi bangles, ittar, mobile bags, purses, clutches, hair-bands and skull caps. In the future, the store is looking to have an outlet exclusively for Muslim men and may tie up with designers for both women’s and men’s wear.