Hussein Chalayan's Spring/Summer 1998 collection is renowned for its minimalist yet thought-provoking exploration of themes related to cultural displacement, identity, and the human experience. The show, titled "Between," presented garments that challenged conventional ideas about modesty, privacy, and the boundaries between public and private spaces.
In this collection, Chalayan experimented with the concept of the veil and its cultural connotations. The garments featured a range of designs that gradually concealed or revealed the body, from fully covered silhouettes to outfits that left parts of the body exposed. This progression from covered to uncovered was a visual representation of the tension between concealment and exposure, exploring how clothing can act as both a protective barrier and a means of expressing individuality.
One of the standout pieces in the collection was a series of headpieces and garments that resembled the traditional Muslim veil, made from materials like silk and cotton. These pieces were presented alongside minimalist, modern silhouettes, creating a juxtaposition between traditional and contemporary aesthetics. The show raised questions about the role of fashion in shaping identity and how cultural symbols can be reinterpreted in a modern context.
