Fashion mogul criticise Islamic clothing

Portia Arthur 08:42 - 01 April 2016

New body-covering swimsuits for Muslim women

"Designers are there to make women more beautiful, to give them their freedom, not to collaborate with this dictatorship which imposes this abominable thing by which we hide women and make them live a hidden life."

Top fashion brands like Mark and Spencer, Dolce & Gabbana among others have tapped into Islamic clothing recently but former partner of Yves-Saint Laurent, Pierre Bergé, has criticised these brands for contributing to what he called the enslavement of women.

"I am scandalised. Creators should have nothing to do with Islamic fashion," the 85-year-old told French radio station Europe 1, according to The Guardian.

The fashion mogul added: "These creators who are taking part in the enslavement of women should ask themselves some questions. "Renounce the money and have some principles."

Bergé revealed that the only reason that labels - which include Marks & Spencer, Uniqlo and Dolce & Gabbana create such collections is "to make dough and nothing else", and he would tell them to: "Give up the dough. Have convictions. Defend your convictions."

The French businessman stressed that his comments are not Islamaphobic. "I live in Morocco most of the time, I am really not Islamophobic," he said.