Sari’s collection was a rebellion against the notion that modesty meant monotony. She paired a deep maroon songket hijab, pinned asymmetrically with a vintage Minangkabau brooch, with a flowing kebaya —a traditional Javanese blouse—but cut the sleeves into modern, exaggerated lantern shapes. Another look featured a batik hijab from Yogyakarta, its parang (mountain) motif symbolizing resilience, wrapped over a deconstructed denim jacket.

In the 1980s, wearing the hijab in public schools was briefly prohibited, making it a symbol of resistance for some.

In Indonesia, the hijab is far more than a piece of cloth; it is a living canvas of identity, faith, and fierce creativity. As the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has quietly staged a fashion revolution over the past two decades, transforming the hijab from a purely religious symbol into a global style powerhouse.

Indonesia is hot and humid. Therefore, Indonesian modest fashion is uniquely adapted to the tropics:

However, the hijab is not without controversy in Indonesia. Some argue that the hijab is a symbol of oppression, while others see it as a restriction on personal freedom. There have been instances where women have been criticized or even penalized for wearing the hijab in public. Despite these challenges, the majority of Indonesian women continue to wear the hijab with pride, seeing it as an integral part of their faith and culture.

Today, Indonesian hijab styles range from conservative (syar'i) veils that cover the chest to fashionable urban styles that use vibrant colors and modern cuts. Leading Designers and Brands