Source: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8117185.stm
Few images shout Middle East quite like the abaya - the long, black overgarment worn by millions of women across the Arab world.
The design has remained pretty much unchanged for centuries, but a crop of young new designers in the United Arab Emirates are now giving the traditional dress a modern-day makeover.
Nothing is off limits - designers are experimenting with bold colours, materials like lace and leather, and even add sequins, embroidery and daring slits to jazz up the often-uniform black robe.
Reem and Hind Beljafla began their abaya-design business, DAS Collection, 18 months ago after realising the market for high-end design for Muslim women in Dubai was woefully underserved.
Their abayas are very much haute-couture - everything is custom-made and prices start at $1,000 (£606).
The young sisters say that as long as a woman's form is still covered by the abaya, there is no harm in having a bit of fun with the design.
"It never loses its identity - the target is to cover the woman's body so there is no harm in playing with the fabrics," says 24-year-old Reem.
"We thought why can't we take our abayas and make something to suit the modern girl, but still keep that conservative style."