Melbourne Fashion Festival weighs in on runway scandal

Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival organisers have weighed in on backlash surrounding a garment that was presented at a runway show last week. 

Australian androgynous fashion label Not A Mans Dream faced criticism for presenting a fashion garment with the Arabic word for ‘God’ printed over its fabric. The sleeveless jumpsuit featured an in-built headscarf, with Arabic script that reportedly read 'Allah walks with me' all over.

The garment was worn at the event's closing runway show, as part of a collection of diverse designers. It is understood another piece in the closing runway used the same smudged script.

Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival has released a statement addressing the backlash. 

“The Festival did not intend to disrespect anyone and we apologise for any offence caused,” the statement read.

Organisers confirmed it would remove certain content from its channels, following a discussion with Not A Mans Dream designer Samantha Saint James.

Saint James apologised for the incident in a joint statement. 

“I apologise for any offence or disrespect caused by certain pieces I showed in Saturday evening's MFF runway,” Saint James said. “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.”

In an Instagram post, Melbourne-based Muslim blogger Mona Khalifa said she was disturbed when she saw the design at the runway show.

"There is no reason for anyone to put the word 'Allah' or anything Islamic on something like this," Khalifa said in the video post. "She's literally naked."