Chechen first lady unveils Islamic fashion in Dubai

"My designs are inspired by natural beauty and the grace of Arab women, to whom I dedicate my collection," Medni Kadyrova said, Chechnya's first lady, adding that she hoped the show in Dubai would be "the first step towards the organisation of many others in the region."

Kadyrova, has displayed her Islamic fashion collection to a captivated audience in Dubai, faithful to the politics of her husband who has sought to impose Islamic dress codes in the Caucasus republic.
More than 20 veiled Chechen models paced the catwalk in a Dubai palace on Saturday evening, clad in silk and carefully embroidered muslin dresses that covered them from head to toe but also managed to outline their figures.
The show culminated in a display of wedding dresses.
Organised by the Firdaws (paradise in Arabic) fashion house, launched by Kadyrova three years ago, it was the first such show for the label outside Chechnya.

"With their beautiful eyes and their slender figures, they actually look like houris," said Omar, a Palestinian working at the show, referring to the virgin angels who, according to the Koran, await faithful Muslims in the afterlife.
"But our young women who wear revealing tops and short skirts, will they agree to dress like this?" he asked.
Firdaws was founded by Kadyrova in 2009 "to lead Chechen women towards a new way of life, full of harmony and serenity, based on the national Islamic traditions," according to a statement by the show's organisers.