CHAPTER 6: A Study in Modern Modesty, Silk, and Storytelling
Photo captured by Ryan Northrop
We were honored to design a custom gown for Aaraf Adam, marking a first for our atelier: a bespoke look created for a modern Muslim woman. Leaning into the ethos of modern modesty, we developed a silhouette that was both graceful and contemporary, crafted entirely from 100% silk and adorned with a hand-applied custom appliqué.
The gown debuted at Kan Suda: Becoming & Belonging, a gallery exhibition in Brooklyn exploring identity, memory, and transformation through Black and diasporic artistry. The evening drew an influential audience from across the country, underscoring the importance of representation, artistry, and community.
Our Inspiration & References
This project drew from deep wells of cultural memory and fashion history. We looked to:
Traditional Nubian women’s dress, with its draping and textural richness
Diasporic portraits from the 1800s, grounding the piece in lineage and heritage
Contemporary elegance, pairing pearl appliqué, soft color gradations, and sophisticated draping with a distinctly modern silhouette
The result was a gown that honored history while moving confidently into the future ; a piece that felt both rooted and visionary for Aaraf.
Each stage of development from muslin fittings in our Brooklyn Parlour, to sketching appliqué placements, to hand-finishing silk seams was guided by Aaraf’s individuality and vision for the event. The final look merged our atelier’s couture precision with her narrative of belonging.
As Aaraf stepped into the space, the gown came alive. Surrounded by friends, artists, and cultural leaders her presence embodied what this collaboration was about: becoming and belonging, together. The Collection Inc. remains committed to creating heirlooms, gowns, and experiences that carry stories forward. This collaboration with Aaraf Adams reminds us of the power of fashion not just to adorn, but to preserve memory and spark transformation.
