British-Yemeni designer Kazna Asker made history at London Fashion Week by pausing her presentation at sunset to share iftar with models, staff and guests, marking the first time Ramadan has been officially incorporated into the event, according to the British Fashion Council.
Asker, 29, deliberately scheduled the pause for her show titled 'Hour of the Sunset', which was built around the rhythm of the Islamic holy month. The British Fashion Council’s NewGen space was transformed into a majlis, or Arab living room, with floor cushions inspired by Asker’s grandmother’s lounge. Halfway through, the music lowered, lights dimmed, and dates and water were passed around as Sudanese-Australian writer Yassmin Abdel-Magied read a poem and led a supplication for breaking the fast.
The collection blended tailored pieces with futuristic silhouettes and cultural Yemeni dress. Models wore gold coin headpieces, face coverings, and henna-inspired body art. Asker also challenged gender norms by placing the traditional Yemeni jambiya dagger on a female model. Male models wore imamah headwraps threaded with sunset-coloured flowers.
Guests included many who were fasting themselves. Naailah Khalifa said it was nice not to feel 'othered' and that such work gives hope to Muslims and people of colour. Asker, a Central Saint Martins graduate, had previously been the first to send hijabi models down its runway in 2022.
Laura Weir, CEO of the British Fashion Council, said the presentation showed that London Fashion Week is a cultural platform supporting diverse expressions. Asker researched Yemeni diaspora communities across several countries and sourced fabrics from a Yemeni market in Egypt, with contributions from her grandmother, father and uncle.
'My community and I already know the spirit of Ramadan,' Asker said. 'It’s a blessing to invite people who don’t know what it’s about. I hope they’re immersed in what we feel.'
