The aim of this paper is to explore how the consumption of foreign brands may operate in a local culture (specifically, the consumption of
Western luxury fashion brands among Muslim women in Kuwait). Field observations were conducted in Kuwait, and a qualitative
questionnaire was administered to 50 Muslim female consumers. Although not a common method for qualitative research, the benefits
of using a qualitative questionnaire are highlighted. The findings show that the socio-cultural dynamics in Kuwait (mainly religion and
tradition) may restrict the expression of certain behaviour (such as female sexuality and dating). However, Muslim women make use of
Western luxury fashion brands as postmodern brandscapes (fragmented and constantly negotiated use of a symbolic brand to actively
construct lifestyle orientations and personal meanings among one’s neo-tribe) to manifest their expressions of sexuality in alternative ways.
Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd