Uniqlo launches first range of hijabs in the UK

The collection launches March 18, the same day as the relaunch of the Uniqlo flagship store on 311 Oxford Street

The hijabs are Uniqlo’s second collaborative line with Hana Tajima, a British designer, but it is the first time they will available on the UK high street (UNIQLO )

Uniqlo is launching a line of hijab head scarves and tunics in the UK for the first time.

The hijabs are Uniqlo’s second collaborative line with Hana Tajima, a British designer, but it is the first time they will available on the UK high street.

The collection launches March 18, the same day as the relaunch of the Uniqlo flagship store on 311 Oxford Street, which will open its doors after almost a year of redevelopment. It has already launched in the US and had successful runs in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

“Our second collaboration with Hana this spring/summer season will introduce essential pieces that reflect her style for modest fashion while combining our LifeWear concept in which is to focus on enhancing the wearer’s lifestyle,” a Uniqlo spokesperson said.

The collection ranges from hijab headscarves, relaxed jeans, rayon blouses, long dresses, as well as hijab innerwear and headbands.

“We are particularly excited about the update to our Inner Hijab and High Neck that ensures coverage without compromising on comfort, especially in tropical weather,” the designer said.

Other showpiece items include the Baju Kurung, available to be styled either as a tunic over a pair of trousers or as a dress by itself.

Hana Tajima, a UK born designer and Muslim fashion blogger, said her designs aim to be both “culturally sensitive” and “extremely comfortable”.

“We wanted to create a collection for women who appreciate modesty as a lifestyle, as well as a broader international audience. It is relaxed, and can be mixed and matched to enhance style,” Tajima said at the launch of her first collaboration with Uniqlo in July 2015.

Uniqlo joins a long line of fashion designers catering to the growing Muslim market.

Muslims spent $266 billion (£187 billion) on clothing and footwear in 2013.

Muslime consumers will be spending $327 billion by 2019. That’s larger than the current combined clothing markets of the UK Germany and India, according to the 2015-2016 State of the Global Islamic Economy Report.

Dolce and Gabbana released their first hijabs and abayas collection in January this year decorated with the brand’s signature floral prints and embroideries.

On the high street, Zara and Mango have offered special collection during Ramadan while H&M featured Mariah Idrissi, its first ever hijab wearing model, in an ad campaign in 2015.

The renovated store will open at 8 am on Friday, 18 March. It will house the new collection from Liberty London, together with the Uniqlo X Hana Tajima collection and the last UNIQLO and Lemaire collaboration line ahead of other UNIQLO stores around the world.