Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life
Lead Research Organisation:
University of the Arts London
Department Name: London College of Fashion
Abstract
This project looks at how religiously-related modest fashion and associated behaviours impact on UK women's working lives - regardless of their own religious background or beliefs. When well-dressed UK executives borrow badly-fitting abayas for meetings in Riyadh, when schools inspectors are issued with guidance on voluntary dress codes for faith schools and when fashion forecasters mine religious media for style inspiration, we offer a new intellectual framework for understanding flashpoints about religious dress for UK interests at home and abroad.
Examining the impact on UK women in Saudi Arabia and the UK, we reverse received wisdom by demonstrating that modest dressing is not only a consideration for religious women and communities. Knowing how to navigate modest codes of dress and behaviour can be an asset for:
Women in the job market
UK economic and political interests abroad
UK policy makers and dialogue groups concerned with social cohesion and interfaith relations
Research and commentary mostly view modest dress through the lens of individual choice and spiritual/political commitment. Similarly, the cross-faith modest fashion 'movement' defends women's individual right to choose whether, if and how to cover, challenging the imposition of covered dress in Iran, Saudi Arabia, or ISIS-controlled territories and its enforced removal in Quebec or France.
Beyond personal motivation, we explore UK women's response to workplace requirements to change their wardrobe and behaviour - including women with their own form of modest fashion. With Muslim and minority ethnic women facing employment challenges in recruitment, retention and progression, we investigate if religiously-related codes of modest dress can be a workplace opportunity as well as inhibitor. To establish for UK business how knowledge about modest fashion can be a local and international advantage, we include women who work for UK faith-based employers and for ostensibly secular employers but in territories governed by religious codes of dress and gender segregation.
At 'home' we focus on women whose work brings them into the orbit of modest dress requirements at faith-based schools, businesses and charities, whether directly employed, sub-contracted, or temporarily present (e.g. visiting artists). Abroad we focus on UK companies doing business in Saudi Arabia (UK's biggest trading partner in the Middle East), talking to women in global consultancy/finance, arts leadership and international education. We investigate Human Resources professionals advising on dress and behaviour at work under UK equalities legislation, and the UK and Gulf modest fashion industry infrastructure supplying garments and style advice for modest workwear.
For the fashion industry, we identify and analyse a new modest fashion consumer segment - women not driven by personal religious conviction. London, a world fashion city, is central for the globalised modest fashion niche market; we work with key brokers London Modest Fashion Week and Dubai's Islamic Fashion & Design Council.
For policy makers and interfaith organisations, we identify new dialogue partners by expanding concepts of women's everyday religion to include the intra- and interfaith negotiation that goes on in modest fashion commerce and commentary.
We will share and test responses to our early research findings with our stakeholder organisations in the UK and the Gulf, including a presentation at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion. Conclusions will be disseminated via: 2 stakeholder reports (1 for UK policy makers, business and HR professionals, 1 for the fashion industry) available free online and launched in print to stakeholders and parliamentarians at a House of Lords networking event; 5 academic conference papers; and 2 journal articles. Public facing events include 2 Faith & Fashion roundtable discussions, at LCF and Saudi Arabia.
Examining the impact on UK women in Saudi Arabia and the UK, we reverse received wisdom by demonstrating that modest dressing is not only a consideration for religious women and communities. Knowing how to navigate modest codes of dress and behaviour can be an asset for:
Women in the job market
UK economic and political interests abroad
UK policy makers and dialogue groups concerned with social cohesion and interfaith relations
Research and commentary mostly view modest dress through the lens of individual choice and spiritual/political commitment. Similarly, the cross-faith modest fashion 'movement' defends women's individual right to choose whether, if and how to cover, challenging the imposition of covered dress in Iran, Saudi Arabia, or ISIS-controlled territories and its enforced removal in Quebec or France.
Beyond personal motivation, we explore UK women's response to workplace requirements to change their wardrobe and behaviour - including women with their own form of modest fashion. With Muslim and minority ethnic women facing employment challenges in recruitment, retention and progression, we investigate if religiously-related codes of modest dress can be a workplace opportunity as well as inhibitor. To establish for UK business how knowledge about modest fashion can be a local and international advantage, we include women who work for UK faith-based employers and for ostensibly secular employers but in territories governed by religious codes of dress and gender segregation.
At 'home' we focus on women whose work brings them into the orbit of modest dress requirements at faith-based schools, businesses and charities, whether directly employed, sub-contracted, or temporarily present (e.g. visiting artists). Abroad we focus on UK companies doing business in Saudi Arabia (UK's biggest trading partner in the Middle East), talking to women in global consultancy/finance, arts leadership and international education. We investigate Human Resources professionals advising on dress and behaviour at work under UK equalities legislation, and the UK and Gulf modest fashion industry infrastructure supplying garments and style advice for modest workwear.
For the fashion industry, we identify and analyse a new modest fashion consumer segment - women not driven by personal religious conviction. London, a world fashion city, is central for the globalised modest fashion niche market; we work with key brokers London Modest Fashion Week and Dubai's Islamic Fashion & Design Council.
For policy makers and interfaith organisations, we identify new dialogue partners by expanding concepts of women's everyday religion to include the intra- and interfaith negotiation that goes on in modest fashion commerce and commentary.
We will share and test responses to our early research findings with our stakeholder organisations in the UK and the Gulf, including a presentation at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion. Conclusions will be disseminated via: 2 stakeholder reports (1 for UK policy makers, business and HR professionals, 1 for the fashion industry) available free online and launched in print to stakeholders and parliamentarians at a House of Lords networking event; 5 academic conference papers; and 2 journal articles. Public facing events include 2 Faith & Fashion roundtable discussions, at LCF and Saudi Arabia.
Planned Impact
This project researches how UK women and UK businesses accommodate religiously-related modesty codes of dress and comportment at work in the UK and Saudi Arabia. Our findings will impact on 1) UK business employers and HR professionals regulating work in those circumstances, 2) the fashion industry and fashion industry professionals providing the commodities and services required, and 3) policy makers and organisations concerned with social cohesion and interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
1 Employers and HR Professionals have regulated religious dress at work since the 2010 Equality Act (following 2003 regulations) protected employee rights to express religion, belief and faith identities. As corporate and institutional HR functions find themselves arbitrating which forms of religious and belief expression are legitimate for 'reasonable accommodation' under UK and EU law, religiously-related dress, adornment, and body management (hair, beards) become media and legal flashpoints.
Given that more companies and organisations are asking women employees (or contracted staff) to accommodate modesty regimes that may not be their 'own', our research offers tools for addressing contentious issues of cultural and religious authenticity, ownership, and authority. We reframe approaches that see religious dress as static by highlighting syncretism and changeability as typical of everyday lived religion. This nuanced understanding of the effect of religiously-related dress on individual identity and workplace performance is amplified by the more 'extreme' example of employers whose female staff encounter state-mandated modest dress in contexts such as Saudi Arabia.
Alert to the HR challenges, we meet head on the 'cultural cringe' - the fear of causing offence - that inhibits discussion about the workplace intersection with religion and belief. Designed to generate a mix of personal narratives and modest workwear solutions utilised by women from diverse faith and ethnic backgrounds, our research will assist in the development of strategies for staff recruitment, development and retention, providing exemplars of value also to those providing inter- and cross-cultural sensitivity training.
2 The fashion industry, including its media, will benefit from how this research reveals the breadth and diversity of participation in forms of modest fashion. By bringing to attention women who encounter modest codes as a workplace requirement, rather (or in addition to) practising modest dressing out of personal piety or community convention, we reveal a significant new consumer demographic for modest attire.
Providing details of how women acquire and learn to wear modest dress (e.g. abayas for Saudi Arabia), our research delivers valuable pointers about consumer behaviour. By recognising the role of local Saudi and expat women as guides in modest attire, and of women from religious communities in the UK, we redefine fashion mediation for fashion brands, retail, and media. Paired with reports on the rapidly growing international modest fashion infrastructure, our research informs mainstream fashion industry participants about how interaction between sectors may be developed.
Disaggregating modest fashion know-how from personal religious identity, we show how literacy about modest fashion can be a corporate market opportunity and individual career asset, building on the recent increase in Islamic branding and Muslim marketing.
3 Policy makers and groups concerned with interfaith and intercultural dialogue have variable levels of experience with issues of dress, despite that modest fashion commerce and commentary can function as a conduit for wide-ranging interactions between and within faiths. Our research reframes how religious authenticity and authority can be recognised; identifying new types of interlocutor for interfaith mobilisation in UK and global dialogue initiatives, and new cohorts of influencers for policy consultation.
1 Employers and HR Professionals have regulated religious dress at work since the 2010 Equality Act (following 2003 regulations) protected employee rights to express religion, belief and faith identities. As corporate and institutional HR functions find themselves arbitrating which forms of religious and belief expression are legitimate for 'reasonable accommodation' under UK and EU law, religiously-related dress, adornment, and body management (hair, beards) become media and legal flashpoints.
Given that more companies and organisations are asking women employees (or contracted staff) to accommodate modesty regimes that may not be their 'own', our research offers tools for addressing contentious issues of cultural and religious authenticity, ownership, and authority. We reframe approaches that see religious dress as static by highlighting syncretism and changeability as typical of everyday lived religion. This nuanced understanding of the effect of religiously-related dress on individual identity and workplace performance is amplified by the more 'extreme' example of employers whose female staff encounter state-mandated modest dress in contexts such as Saudi Arabia.
Alert to the HR challenges, we meet head on the 'cultural cringe' - the fear of causing offence - that inhibits discussion about the workplace intersection with religion and belief. Designed to generate a mix of personal narratives and modest workwear solutions utilised by women from diverse faith and ethnic backgrounds, our research will assist in the development of strategies for staff recruitment, development and retention, providing exemplars of value also to those providing inter- and cross-cultural sensitivity training.
2 The fashion industry, including its media, will benefit from how this research reveals the breadth and diversity of participation in forms of modest fashion. By bringing to attention women who encounter modest codes as a workplace requirement, rather (or in addition to) practising modest dressing out of personal piety or community convention, we reveal a significant new consumer demographic for modest attire.
Providing details of how women acquire and learn to wear modest dress (e.g. abayas for Saudi Arabia), our research delivers valuable pointers about consumer behaviour. By recognising the role of local Saudi and expat women as guides in modest attire, and of women from religious communities in the UK, we redefine fashion mediation for fashion brands, retail, and media. Paired with reports on the rapidly growing international modest fashion infrastructure, our research informs mainstream fashion industry participants about how interaction between sectors may be developed.
Disaggregating modest fashion know-how from personal religious identity, we show how literacy about modest fashion can be a corporate market opportunity and individual career asset, building on the recent increase in Islamic branding and Muslim marketing.
3 Policy makers and groups concerned with interfaith and intercultural dialogue have variable levels of experience with issues of dress, despite that modest fashion commerce and commentary can function as a conduit for wide-ranging interactions between and within faiths. Our research reframes how religious authenticity and authority can be recognised; identifying new types of interlocutor for interfaith mobilisation in UK and global dialogue initiatives, and new cohorts of influencers for policy consultation.
Organisations
- University of the Arts London (Lead Research Organisation)
- Edge of Arabia (Project Partner)
- Islamic Fashion and Design Council (Project Partner)
- British Council (Project Partner)
- Three Faiths Forum (Project Partner)
- Parliament of United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Haute Elan (Project Partner)
- Employers Network for Equality (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Reina Lewis (Principal Investigator) | |
Kristin Aune (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Lewis R
(2023)
Aesthetic Labor in Religious Contexts: Women Encountering Modest Dress in the Workplace in the UK and Saudi Arabia
in Fashion Theory
Aune K
(2023)
Modest Dress at Work as Lived Religion: Women's Dress in Religious Work Contexts in Saudi Arabia and the UK
in Sociology of Religion
Description | Our data reveal the breadth and diversity of participation in forms of modest fashion, highlighting experiences of women who encounter modest codes as a workplace requirement, rather than (or in addition to) practising modest dressing out of personal piety or community convention. 1 There is variation in whether and how dress codes are formulated and how clearly and by whom they are communicated. Saudi Arabia's code is specific and applies to all women, although interpretations vary across the country and over time. Women would like more help with purchasing and wearing an abaya and more guidance on Saudi norms for social interactions between men and women. In the UK, some faith based organisations have clear dress codes enforced either implicitly through behavioural norms or explicitly through HR training or responses to complaints from colleagues or visitors. A small number of UK women reported censure and conflict relating to their organisation's dress code and considered the codes and their application gender unequal or discriminatory. What one person sees as modest and appropriate, another may object to as immodest. 2 The abaya is beyond the range of our participants' usual work garments - including Muslim women who had worn abayas on personal pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia but not in an occupational capacity. Some women like that the "uniform" aspect of the abaya saved time planning outfits; others feel anonymous with reduced ability to make an impact in their role. Unlike other work garments, abayas are frequently shared between colleagues. In Saudi Arabia, where the abaya is often coded as a cultural rather than religious garment, Saudi women act as fashion mediators, providing guidance on the nuance of abaya protocols, taking women shopping; a pleasurable form of cultural exchange. 3 In the UK, women whose job requires visiting religious places of worship that are not their own generally dress to respect the religion of the host, including adaptations to their own modesty norms (covering their heads, exchanging skirts for trousers or vice versa). Some women feel discomforted by conservative gender norms in the religious community they visit and at women more than men are expected to change their behaviour. 4 Our findings identify a significant new consumer segment for modest attire - women not driven by personal religious conviction who need modest attire for work in their field. These women require garments suitable for location appropriate modest dressing, whether in the faith-based sector in the UK (or elsewhere) or for secular placements in countries and regions with prevailing religious modesty codes (including but not limited to Saudi Arabia). Women want modest clothing that allows them to function fully in role and to express and project their usual workplace impression. Modest fashion expertise can be a workplace asset, and can contribute to understandings of the multiple fashion systems in a globalised industry. Recruiting more religiously and secular diverse talent into the fashion industry will assist brands to develop the operational agility needed to navigate consumer need and concern at a time of heightened cultural sensitivity. |
Exploitation Route | The findings of this project have been published in 2 stakeholder reports (1 for UK policymakers, business and HR professionals; 1 for the fashion industry). As well as the two in-depth reports, two smaller documents containing only the Executive Summary of each report are also available. The reports are available free online in the public domain and available, to be used by others. Print versions will be sent to key stakeholders. |
Sectors | Creative Economy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Retail,Security and Diplomacy,Other |
Description | The research team has completed 65 interviews and has interpreted and analyzed the findings. Key findings have been disseminated through two stakeholder reports, available for free download on the project webpage. The impact of these reports was amplified by a parliamentary round table chaired by Baroness Young on 10-2-21, a video of which is available on the project webpage, and which helped generate substantial media coverage in the UK and abroad. . |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Retail,Security and Diplomacy |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services |
Description | 'Celebrating Others: A Creative Path to a Civilisation of Tolerance and Fraternity', Panel discussion, Sikka Art Festival, Sikka, Al Fahidi Heritage Area, Dubai. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis took part in a panel discussion on interfaith exchange in the creative industries at Sikka Art Festival in Dubai, raising her profile in the UAE, building trust and recruiting research participants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/Our-Initiative/Pages/Sikka-art-festival.aspx#:~:text=Sikka%20Art%20Fa... |
Description | 'Fashion industry should have better understanding of 'modest dress', article in Religious News Service, Feb. 11 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Findings from Modest Workwear reports were shared in the article 'Fashion industry should have better understanding of 'modest dress' in the Religious News Service, which also provided links to the full reports. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/religion-news-11-february/ |
Description | 'Modest Fashion', Shia Ithna'ashari Community of Middlesex, Friday night post-service mosque talk, 15 Jan 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave a talk on 'Modest Fashion' for the Shia Ithna'ashari Community of Middlesex on 15 Jan 2021, sharing research findings that reflected the community's experience and building relationships with supportive faith-based organisations for future research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | 'Religious Dress: modest fashion in women's working life', article in Personnel Today, Feb. 11 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Ashleigh Webber's article, 'Religious Dress: Modest fashion in women's working life', covered the parliamentary launch of Modest Workwear reports quoting Prof. Lewis and sharing key report findings. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/hr-needs-better-understanding-of-religious-dress-issues/ |
Description | Article in Women's Wear Daily, Feb. 10 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis was interviewed by Natalie Theodosi for the article 'Employers, Designers Need to Make More Room for Modest Dressing A new study urges the fashion industry to broaden its understanding of modest dressing and modern consumers' needs', which shared key findings from the Modest Workwear reports. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/modest-fashion-impact-womens-working-lives-1234727638/ |
Description | Article in the Guardian |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This Guardian article on Modest Fashion includes key findings from the research reports and quotes Prof. Lewis. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/mar/04/the-pressure-is-to-appear-normal-the-crisis-in-modes... |
Description | Conference paper presentation at "British Muslim Charitable Organisations: Best Practice Forum", organised by the Muslims in Britain Research Network (MBRN), in cooperation with Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD) and Muslim Charities Forum (MCF), Birmingham, 15 January 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Conference paper presenting interim research findings of the project by Lina Molokotos-Liederman: "Modest Fashion at Work and the Employee Experience in UK Muslim Charitable Organisations". The conference was attended by scholars, researchers and practitioners working in or with UK-based Muslim charities whose work is in the UK and abroad. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/british-muslim-charitable-organisations-a-best-practice-forum-tickets... |
Description | Conference paper presentation at Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR) and Religious Research Association (RRA) Annual Conference, St. Louis, (USA), 25-27 October 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Conference paper presenting interim research findings of the project by Kristin Aune: "Workplace Modest Fashion as a Form of 'Lived Religion': Women Working for Faith-based Organisations in the UK" The conference was attended by US and international researchers, scholars and students in religious studies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://sssreligion.org/media/9940/2019program.pdf |
Description | Conference paper presentations at Sociology of Religion Study Group (SocRel) Annual Conference, Cardiff, 9-11 July 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Two conference papers presenting interim research findings of the project by Reina Lewis and Kristin Aune/Lina Molokotos-Liederman: "Modest workwear as communication of religious values: UK women wearing abayas to work in Saudi Arabia", by Reina Lewis "Modest fashion at work: the employee experience in UK faith-based organisations" by Kristin Aune and Lina Molokotos-Liederman The conference was attended by UK-based researchers, scholars and students in the sociology of religion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.britsoc.co.uk/media/25231/socrel-2019-conference-programme-final-draft-18th-june.pdf |
Description | Panel discussion "Fashion, Culture, and Saudi Arabia Vision 2030", Saudi Design Week, Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), 8 November 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Against the Saudi government's Vision 2030 effort to bring more Saudi women into the workplace, this discussion panel focused how women's workwear is changing and how designers can contribute to women's comfort at work in the context of Saudi Arabian and regional codes of modest dress and behaviour. Prof. Reina Lewis was joined by Dr Eiman Elgibreen (assistant professor of art history at the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, artist and curator). The panel (followed by a Q&A) reflected on what women need in their wardrobes for workplace wellbeing and career progression. With modest aesthetics now mainstreamed in the global fashion industry, the session examined how the flowering of Saudi fashion design might enrich the business attire of women visiting the Kingdom and beyond. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.arts.ac.uk/research/current-research-and-projects/fashion-design/faith-and-fashion/faith... |
Description | Panel discussion "Modest Fashion Media & Markets: Perceptions & Realities", Modanisa Istanbul Modest Fashion Week (Turkey), 20 April 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | This discussion panel explored the impact of modest dressing on global brands, regional markets, and mainstream and niche fashion media. Joining Reina were Sahinat Erkiliç, Editor-in-Chief of Hijab In Style, Dilyara Sadrieva, who launched the Modest Russia digital platform, and Hafsa Lodi, freelance journalist and stylist and frequent contributor to the National in the United Arab Emirates. Drawing on their combined understandings of the Muslim modest fashion market around the world, the panel reflected on the opportunities and challenges presented to niche modest fashion brands and media by the current mainstream interest in modest styling. The panelists also discussed why there is still a need to emphasize that modest dressing is characterized by variability and diversity rather than uniformity. The panel concluded that in the wider fashion industry, in fashion design, media, and marketing, the development of modest fashion expertise - regardless of individual religious or secular background and beliefs - is becoming a career asset. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.arts.ac.uk/research/current-research-and-projects/fashion-design/faith-and-fashion/modes... |
Description | Parliamentary Roundtable on Women, Modest Dress and Workwear hosted by Baroness Lola Young at the House of Lords, 11 March 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This event took place between 10am and 1pm on 11 March at the Hosue of Lords (Committee Room G). It was hosted by Baroness Lola Young as part of her continuing work on ethics and sustainable fashion. The roundtable discussion featured 7 speakers/panellists from faith-based, interfaith and secular organisations, as well as a speakers representing a fashion point of view, a policy point of view and an employer/HR perspective. The panellists were the following: David Perfect - Head of policy and research on religion or belief, Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Bana Gora - Chief Executive, Muslim Women's Council Jenny Kartupelis - Director, Faith in Society Ltd, and Strategy and Development Officer, World Congress of Faiths Ravinder Kaur Nijjar - Chair, Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network Andrew Copson - Chief Executive, Humanists UK Alan Beazeley - Advice, Policy & Research Specialist, Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) Lisa Armstrong - Fashion editor and director, The Daily Telegraph The audience included about 30 invited guests: academics, representatives from faith-based and interfaith organisations, and HR professionals. Following a short introduction to the project by Profs. Reina Lewis and Kristin Aune (co-investigators of the project), each speaker started with a five min intro in which they responded to one of the following key talking points: • Can workplace dress codes and/or country guidance for overseas work suitably satisfy both religious approaches and gender equality? • What is, or should be, the role of dress and behaviour in interfaith events? • Is there a business case for the fashion industry and media to view knowledge about modest dress as an asset? • Does knowledge about modest fashion and behaviour have a role in supporting interfaith and intercultural dialogue and social cohesion? In the remaining time of the session, there was extensive Q&A and discussion between the co-investigators, panellists and audience members. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Publication Launch, 10 Feb 2021 (Online Roundtable Discussion hosted by Baroness Lola Young) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Over 100 people attended an online event to launch the two publications resulting from research into Modest Fashion in Women's Working Life. Baroness Lola Young chaired a discussion of women's experience of modest fashion at work in the UK and abroad, with Rabiha Hannan (Co-founder of New Horizons in British Islam), Clive Bane (Director of Direct Reports Ltd/B3sixty), and Julia Middleton (Founder of Common Purpose) and project researchers Prof. Reina Lewis (UAL) and Prof Kristin Aune (Coventry University). Key recommendations from the research were presented to an audience that included creative professionals and HR professionals, providing insight into the complexity of modest workwear issues in the workplace. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/parliamentary-roundtable-modest-fashion-in-womens-working-life-ticket... |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Bristol, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in Women's Working Life (starts at 2 hrs 49 mins). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095pzv6 |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Essex, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in Women's Working Life. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p095qhdb |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Gloucestershire, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life (starts at 1 hr 17 mins). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095qjql |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Jersey, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life (starts at 3 hrs 42 mins). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095qnlk |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Leicester, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life (starts at 1 hr 52 mins). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095r8j9 |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Merseyside, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life (starts at 1 hr 37 mins) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095t16w |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Norfolk, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life (starts at 1 hr 24 mins). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095t5sk |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Shropshire, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life (starts at 1hr 9 mins). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095tl3m |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Solent, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life (starts at 2 hrs 29 mins). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095tn0w |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Stoke, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p095tr62 |
Description | Radio interview with BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey, Feb. 14 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis gave an interview to local BBC radio to share key findings from Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Life (starts at 3 hrs 9 mins). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | `Modest fashion as a work-wear requirement: Negotiating religious and regional codes of modest dress and behaviour in Saudi Arabia', College Arts Association, Chicago |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Prof. Reina Lewis presented the paper 'Modest fashion as a work-wear requirement: Negotiating religious and regional codes of modest dress and behaviour in Saudi Arabia' at the College Arts Association conference in Chicago on February 14 2020, disseminating research findings. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |