Nov 26 - Long known as feminine and demure, Indonesia's traditional kebaya is headed for a makeover at the hands of innovative designers.

Growing demand for stylish yet still modest fashions in the world's most populous Islamic nation is helping power efforts to bring Islamic fashion into the modern age, a movement symbolized by changes to the iconic kebaya, a blouse-dress combination.

A group of women posing in kebaya: a traditional blouse-dress combination worn by women in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand (Photo by Jamieson Teo)

Fun prints, intricate detailing, colors so bold as to be psychedelic and a mix of delicate lace all graced the catwalk at the recent Jakarta Fashion Week. One designer even paired the kebaya with red-and-yellow striped tights.

"I think it's a good presentation because if you wear Muslim clothing like this, it's not necessarily boring," Jakarta Fashion Week project manager Petty Fatimah told Reuters.

"You can definitely expect to see more Islamic fashion in the future and it is for everybody. If you're not a woman who wears Islamic clothing you can still wear it."

Though Islamic clothing is not mandatory throughout much of this vast nation, many women struggle with the desire to be both fashionable but dress in line with Islamic principles that rule against showing hair or skin.

In a nod to local mores, U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama donned a headscarf on her visit to Jakarta's Istiqlal mosque earlier this month. But wearing the headscarf is not mandatory and regulations concerning clothing are fairly liberal save for Indonesia's West Aceh district, which is the sole upholder of sharia -- or Islamic -- law.

Earlier this year, authorities in West Aceh began giving away long, loose skirts to Acehnese women wearing tight jeans.

Yet despite coming across as "sexy" to some due to its tight fit and use of see-through materials, the kebaya has managed to escape censure even from Islamist groups such as the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), who criticized the wives of the president and vice-president last year for not wearing headscarves prior to the presidential elections.

MODERN DESIGNS, MUSLIM CLOTHING

For those in the industry, allowing the kebaya to be reinvented paves the way for designers who want to introduce modern designs into Muslim style clothing.
Themed "Styling Modernity," models in kebaya outfits launched Jakarta's third Fashion Week earlier this month, with 16 selected designers putting their own spin on the garment.

"If you look at the scene five years ago, women didn't have choices. But now, it's growing, and we have many designers who design Muslim wear," said designer Lenny Agustin, who is known for her eclectic style.

Other collections, with titles such as "Romantic Return," "Garden Luxury" and "Catch Your Eyes," featured billowy ankle length dresses, harem-style pants and tunic suits which still complied with Islamic clothing norms.

Keeping stylish fashion in line with Islamic norms isn't just a gesture for traditionalists, Petty Fatimah noted.

(by Chandni Vatvani)