High Fashion in Turkey: A Headscarf Tycoon and a Lingerie King

ISTANBUL, Turkey, Nov. 18, 2007— -- For many Muslims around the world, wearing the veil is a religious obligation — but for Mustafa Karaduman, a Turkish businessman, the veil is also big money.

Karaduman has built a fashion empire across the Muslim world worth $50 million in sales last year.

His brand, Tekbir, is sold in Turkey, in other Muslim countries and in Europe.

Karaduman's secret is to make Islamic clothing that's trendy. He says he crafts his product according to instruction from the Koran, Islam's holy scriptures.

"[The Koran] says: 'dear prophet, take care of your son, daughter, girl, that they are covered full as their heart,'" Karaduman told ABC News.

"The sleeves are long till the wrist," said Karaduman. "The legs should be covered till the ankle. The garment should not be transparent, and it should not show their shapes."

"The head cover is also defined in the Koran," he said. "Women are ordered to wear a scarf."

A religious man, Karaduman makes dresses according to his beliefs, but as a shrewd businessman, he crafts them with the finest fabrics and fancy patterns.

"My mission," said Karaduman, "is to get as many women as possible to wear headscarves. I am not trying to do this with a stick, but with design."

At an Istanbul Tekbir store that ABC News visited, women loved the clothes.

"I like the style," said Zumrut. "In Islamic wear, I feel comfortable and beautiful."

Ninety-nine percent of Turks are Muslim, and radicals have gained influence over the years. However, Turkey remains a fiercely secular country, and headscarves are prohibited at public offices and schools.

Hot Turkish Lingerie

Turkey's once-flourishing fashion industry still produces internationally established brands — and its fashion designers produce much more than Islamic veils.

Deha Orhan is the owner of one of Turkey's hottest lingerie lines, called Ten.

Orhan inherited the multimillion-dollar line from his father.

Orhan crafts all his garments in Turkey, except for the panties and stockings. "We import them from Italy," he told ABC News.

"We have three lines," said Orhan. "One is really classic, with comfortable bras. The second is for teenagers, really colorful, and then there is Ten Limited, with the laces and high fashion fabrics — that's the sexy line."

Asked whether it is difficult to sell very modern lingerie in Turkey, Orhan said, "no, it's even easier ... if a lady wants to wear a beautiful bra, why should it be so difficult?"

Religious women are only compelled to cover their head when they are outside, said Orhan. "In the house, everything is different."

Orhan said he has never been threatened because he produces revealing underwear, adding that both modern and traditional people need lingerie. "It's a need ... we have to produce it."

Although he feels that the tension between moderns and radicals has increased recently, Orhan believes moderns like him are still very free to live the way they want.

"There is not anyone who obliges us to go to the mosque, or no one tells us 'you have to pray everyday.'

"Turkey is not modern, and it's not traditional, either," he said. "That's why we love Turkey."

Additional reporting by Gallagher Fenwick.