Melbourne Fashion Festival has apologised after an Australian fashion label, NOT A MAN’S DREAM, held a catwalk show featuring a model wearing a dress with the word  “Allah” in Arabic printed on it.

In a statement released on Instagram, Melbourne Fashion Festival said they understood that the pieces in the Closing Runway have caused offence to some members of the Muslim community.

“The Festival did not intend to disrespect anyone and we apologise for any offence caused,” it said.

The Festival and the garment’s designer, Samantha Saint James, decided together to remove all social media posts and images associated with the brand.

Saint James also released a statement on the Instagram page apologising for “any offence or disrespect”.

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

Fashion blogger Mona Khalifa, who attended the show, posted to TikTok to express how disturbed she was by the design.

The Melbourne-based blogger said it is “blatant disrespect” for Muslims and Arab Christians who share the same Arabic word for God.

“Using holy phrases and writing Allah in Arabic, which is sacred to Muslims but also Christians… is wrong on so many levels,” she said.

The label,  NOT A MAN’S DREAM, which was started last year, is an androgynous women-led brand whose mission is to empower people and create a sense of freedom through art, fashion and voice. The brand was founded in 2022 by Saint James.

In February, in a similar controversy, Buffalo Bills star, Damar Hamlin wore a jacket from Kanye West’s label at the Super Bowl, which had what many described as an “offensive” depiction of Jesus.

Photo: Melbourne spring fashion week 2009 by Fernando de Sousa is found HERE and used under a Creative Commons Licence. The image has not been modified.