Melbourne Fashion Festival issues apology after brand used the Arabic text for ‘Allah’

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival has issued an apology after some attendees at a catwalk show took offence over a number of garments being displayed by models on the runway. 

Melbourne label NOT A MAN’S DREAM, founded by Samantha Saint James in 2022, printed the Arabic text for ‘Allah’ on outfits worn by models on Saturday night, some of which were sheer. 

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival said in a statement on Sunday: ‘We understand certain pieces shown as part of last night’s Closing Runway have caused offence to some members of our community. 

‘The Festival did not intend to disrespect anyone and we apologise for any offence caused. 

‘We have been in contact with the designer of NOT A MAN’S DREAM and together we have agreed to remove certain content from our channels.’ 

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival has issued an apology after some attendees took offense over some of the garments being displayed by the brand NOT A MAN’S DREAM (pictured) 

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Melbourne label NOT A MAN’S DREAM, founded by Samantha Saint James in 2022, printed the Arabic text for ‘Allah’ on outfits worn on the runway on Saturday night, some of which were sheer (pictured) 

In an additional statement obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald, designer Saint James said: ‘I apologise for any offence or disrespect caused by certain pieces I showed in Saturday evening’s MFF runway. 

‘I’ve come to understand how some garments have caused offence. It was the opposite of my intention and for that, I’m truly sorry.’ 

Melbourne model Mona Khalifa was among those raising concerns after attending the show, calling the display ‘vile’. 

She pointed out that one of the models was wearing a sheer version of the garment and appeared to go without a bra underneath.  

‘I could not contain my anger, I could not put this off any further,’ she began in a series of Instagram Stories posts.

‘This designer Not A Man’s Dream had this down the runway, it has got the word Allah on it, look how she is dressed, she is literally naked and it’s got the word Allah all over the body.’

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival said in a statement: ‘We understand certain pieces shown as part of last night’s Closing Runway have caused offence to some members of our community. The Festival did not intend to disrespect anyone and we apologise for any offence caused’

In an additional statement designer Saint James said: ‘I apologise for any offence or disrespect caused by certain pieces I showed in Saturday evening’s MFF runway. I’ve come to understand how some garments have caused offence. It was the opposite of my intention and for that, I’m truly sorry’

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‘Honestly there is a fine line between art and disrespect, this falls way way over disrespect,’ Mona continued. 

‘There is no reason for someone to put the word Allah or anything Islamic on something like this, literally no reason, you could have put any other Arabic phrase.’

‘I honestly don’t care if they stop inviting me to these events. Disrespecting my religion is where I draw the line, this is vile. Shout out to the models who refused to walk for that designer,’ she added.

Australian National Imams Council spokesman Bilal Rauf told The Age slammed the label for ‘discourtesy and disrespect’. 

‘The use of certain words and symbols which carry a religious significance ought to be used with respect,’ he said. 

Melbourne model Mona Khalifa (pictured) was among those raising concerns after attending the show, calling the display ‘vile’. She pointed out that one of the models was wearing a sheer version of the garment and appeared to go without a bra underneath