The Influence Of Fashion On Contemporary Muslim Women In Ghana, From 2000-2020

Abstract

Over the past two decades, Muslim women's dress has attracted considerable attention, with some organizations contending that restrictions on fashion standards are repressive or humiliating, particularly to women. This has resulted in the introduction of anti-Islamic trends in the fashion industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of fashion on contemporary Muslim women in Ghana sing the Upper West region for a case. The study used an exploratory qualitative research method and semi-structured interviews to collect data from 30 respondents chosen through a combination of accidental and snowball sampling techniques. The study discovered that fashion has a negative impact on contemporary Muslim women by shifting their religious and cultural orientation to mimic the mandates of non-Islamic role models and fashion designers. As a result of these trends, Islamic fashion standards and principles, as well as its associated culture, are being lost, driving contemporary Muslim women to become addicted to acquiring stylish attire and straining their wallets. Contemporary Muslim women who follow fashion have developed a negative sense of self-worth by mimicking fashion models' attire, demeanor, speaking manner, seating position, and gestures. Based on the outcomes of the study, the researcher makes a recommendation. It is clear that the growing popularity of online shopping worldwide among contemporary Muslim women has demonstrated that the internet and social media handles nowadays play an important role in promoting exclusivist Muslim identities as well as enabling unexpected convergences and connections between people of different backgrounds and between the demands of fashion and faith. Islamic leaders and authorities should encourage the establishment of online Islamic fashion development platforms and applications that promote ethical Islamic fashion among contemporary Muslim women.