“Most of the Indian Muslim women wear burqa as a cultural symbol though some are forced to wear it while going out. But we Indian designers are yet to take interest in designing burqa though it is getting encouraging response from all over the world especially Arab countries,” says Ritu Beri ace Indian designer. Today markets are full of stylish burqa; the style include straight fit, umbrella cut, crystal studded, floral motifs and waist coat styled and the price range begin with Rs 500/- and goes up to Rs. 20,000/-.
On line burqa stores is flourishing all over India. “Burqa has become more a fashion statement now. Earlier the best we could offer was two to three designs. Today there are hundred designs and still we could not satisfy our clients,” says the owner of Abaaya .in, an online fashion stores specialising in burqa.
The floor touching burqas is famous in Arab countries but in India due to poor conditions of the street it is completely ruled out. According to Asif Khan, designer of burqa now a day’s Indian Muslim women prefer tight fitting burqas with intricate work on just the sleeves and plain fitting ones with heavy broaches on each sleeve and the burqa front are in common. “Today everybody wants to cut-to-cut size burqa,”says Khan.
When asked is there any plan to design buqa, well known designer Anju Modi says that she has no such plan for now. “I do not want to talk about the future. It is true that burqa market is doing well and if taped properly you can earn a lot,” said Modi.
Some burqa makers like to experiment with the attire. Earlier the focus was on sequin work which was hurting knee while praying. Today it is more on fancy patch work. Brighter shades and contemporary designs are for attracting younger lots,” says Khan. Young women are not afraid of experimenting this religious attire with contemporary and chic cuts and designs giving burqa a whole new meaning.
