Hijab

Representation in
Fashion
Fatimah Shaikh
What is Hijab?
• Hijab is an Arabic word, meaning “the veil”,
pertaining to the concept of covering
modestly.
• Hijab is involves covering the body in a
modest fashion, without tight fitting
clothing, except for her face, hands and
feet.
• Muslim men have a responsibility to dress
modestly just as much as Muslim woman. In
fact, “modesty” is not limited to clothing
either.
• Hijab not only involved the covering of the
body, but also of the character, improving
their attitudes, allowing one to become a
better person.
 Hijab in Fashion
• Modeling has become more accommodating towards Muslim women
wearing hijab.
• A prominent figure in the modest fashion industry, Halima Aden, became
the first model to wear hijab on the cover of Vo g u e , once in 2017,
and then again in 2019.
• Her presence in the fashion has become an influence on others to do the
same
• “ ‘Somebody needs to,’ Aden says. ‘I want my sister, my little nieces,
even my nephews to see representations of somebody who wears a
hijab in modern ways, in such a way that they can relate to.’”
• Hijab has also affected athletic fashion, with the creation of the Nike Pro
Hijab.
• In 2018, Nike announced that it would release a Pro Hijab for
female Muslim athletes.
• Its lightweight and breathable fabric made it very accommodating for
female Muslim athletes.
 Individual Brands
• The Hijab has become more prominent in the
fashion world.
• There have been more businesses created by
Muslim women, catering to others, making it
easier to accommodate those who want to be
represented in current trends.
• Haute Hijab- a leading hijab brand allowing
for a next-generation of modest fashion
starting with the hijab. This store makes
wearing hijab easier, accommodating to all
comforts.
• Modanisa- this brand is open to other
modest articles, besides the hijab. This store,
much like others, displays more modest
dresses, all while following many fashion
trends.
 Representation
Representation of the hijab has come a long way from just being a part
of fashion. It shows the opportunities that Muslim women wearing hijab
now have.
For example, fashion model, Halima Aden, was the first Muslim woman
wearing hijab to be on Vogue, once in 2017, and then again in
2019. She was able to use her platform to bring awareness to refugee
and humanitarian works by being a member of UNICEF.
The effect of Halima being involved in such a positive influence allows
other females wearing hijab also make a change. It gives Muslim women
the confidence of being a woman wearing hijab, all while being able to
live a life that shows that they are being included in the world.
Halima Aden stated, “ ‘You don't have to conform.
You don't have to take off your scarf,’ she explains.
‘It always comes down to choice: Letting people live
the kind of life they want to live.’”
Representation
Another example of representation of the hijab outside of the fashion
industry would be in athletics.
The Olympic fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad, is known for being the first
Muslim American woman to wear hijab while competing for the U.S.
Muhammad’s praise for the Nike Pro Hijab had created a positive change
in the way sports accommodate Muslim women wearing hijab.
The effect of the Nike Pro Hijab allows Muslim women wearing hijab feel
comfortable during sports, while not having to compromise their passion
and talent for athletics. Such inclusion in sports creates a safer and more
successful environment for Muslim women.

Ibtihaj Muhammad has said, “ ‘The Nike Pro Hijab will help advance the conversation
around hijabs and Muslim women in sports and further making sports an inclusive
space’”.
Inspirational Platforms
The inclusion of the hijab has not only
taken place in the fashion and athletic
industry, but also prominently on social
media. Shirin Syed, a Muslim Instagram blogger, shows
her audience her accomplishments and success
Instagram has become one of the most
she has earned as a doctor, all while without
commonly influential platforms that
show the inclusivity of Muslim women letting her wearing the hijab determine anything.
wearing the hijab.
Using such a popular form of social
media to show the inclusivity of the
hijab has had great effects.
With the help of many social media Melanie Elturk was a Civil Rights Lawyer before founding the leading
platforms, such as Instagram, many U.S. brand of hijabs, Haute Hijab. She shows Muslim women that one
Muslim women wearing hijab show the can break the cultural barriers if having designated jobs, such as being
many things that they can accomplish, a lawyer, and help others with something that can strengthen their
inspiring others. faith.
 • Hunt, Elle. "‘We All Deserve Representation': Hijab-Wearing Model Halima Aden On The
Power Of Fashion". The Guardian, 2020,
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/feb/09/halima-aden-model-activist-hijab-
refugee-fashion-we-all-deserve-representation.
• Safronova, Valeriya. "Nike Reveals The ‘Pro Hijab’ For Muslim Athletes (Published
2017)". Nytimes.Com, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/fashion/nike-pro-hijab-
muslim-athlete.html.
• "Haute Hijab". Haute Hijab, 2020, https://www.hautehijab.com/.
• "Modanisa Hijab Fashion & Modest Dresses, Jilbabs, Hijabs, Shawls, Abayas, And
Scarves". Modanisa.Com, 2020, https://www.modanisa.com/en/.
• Ferguson, Sarah. "Born A Refugee, Model Halima Aden Is Standing Up For Migrant

Citations
Children". UNICEF USA, 2020, https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/born-refugee-model-
halima-aden-standing-migrant-children/34523.
• Vagianos, Alanna. "Nike Just Came Out With Its First Sports Hijab". Huffpost.Com, 2020,
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nike-just-came-out-with-its-first-sports-
hijab_n_5a269d05e4b086e4e504645f.
• "Halalgirlnewyork". Instagram.Com, 2020,
https://www.instagram.com/halalgirlnewyork/?hl=en.
• "Hautehijab". Instagram.Com, 2020, https://www.instagram.com/hautehijab/?hl=en.
• "Instagram". Instagram, 2020, https://www.instagram.com/?hl=en.
• Bauck, Whitney. "How Melanie Elturk Went From Civil Rights Lawyer To Founder Of
The Leading U.S. Hijab Brand". Fashionista, 2020,
https://fashionista.com/2019/09/melanie-elturk-haute-hijab-founder-interview.