Photo Via Ibtihaj Muhammad Facebook page
CAIRO – 15 November 2017: Barbie is continuing to show diversity with the first ever hijab-wearing doll to honor the bronze medalist Olympian Islamic American fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.
As part of the Sheroes doll collection that was launched in favor for Barbie to recognize real-life female heroes such as gold medalist Olympian Gabby Douglas, writer/director and Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay, fashion model Ashley Graham and many more.
Mohammad visited the Mattal design center to give a helping hand in the dolls’ design process.
“We are celebrating Ibtihaj Muhammed as the latest Barbie Shero by unveiling a one-of-a-kind doll in her likeness,” Barbie Mattel published the statement on their website. “As an inspiration for countless little girls who never saw themselves represented in sports and culture, we hope this doll shows girls they can be anything.”
From Nike to Max Mara, major players in the fashion industry have started catering to the Middle East market by featuring hijab-wearing models in their campaigns and on the runway. Back in 2016, Dolce & Gabbana launched a ready-to-wear autumn/winter collection of abayas and hijabs with the signature D&G colorful prints.
A hijab is a sign of modesty worn by Muslim women all around the world; despite being a controversial matter nowadays, the fashion industry decided to fight back against Islamophobia and highlight the message of love, peace and acceptance in their advertising campaigns and on the runway by featuring Hijab-wearing models.
Also, technology giant Apple has joined the movement with their recent debut of 12 new emoji characters of women wearing hijab. Earlier this year, Condé Nast launched the magazine Vogue Arabia with the supermodel of the new generation, Gigi Hadid, who was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother, on its first cover.
It is also worth mentioning that Halima Aden is the first veiled model to have walked the international catwalk with Max Mara and to be featured in American Eagle's #ICan campaign.
Zahra Lari is an Emirati figure skater. She was born on March 3, 1995, and she is the first figure skater in the United Arab Emirates to compete internationally. She is also the first hijabi figure skater in the world. Plus, she is featured in Nike’s campaign for Nike pro-Hijab.
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