Meet Hijarbie.
She's a modest Muslim fashionista taking Instagram by storm. Oh, and she's a Barbie.
This week, pop-culture media picked up on the Hijarbie Instagram account[1], where Barbie models exquisitely styled head coverings and dresses.
Behind her envy-worthy outfits is Haneefah Adam, a 24-year-old in Nigeria. She has a master's degree in pharmacology and is also responsible for the budding modest lifestyle brand Hanie[2].
Adam started styling a Barbie several weeks ago as a way to explore her creative side, she said. Plus, she wanted to see the world's most popular doll dressed like she would dress -- chic and covered.
In artful, outdoor photographs, Hijarbie sports a colorful assortment of floor-length dresses and skirts paired with head scarves, or hijabs.
"I hope it makes a positive impact and inspires a culture of self respect" for Muslim girls, Adam said.
Attention for Adam comes shortly after Mattel announced a new line[3] of Barbies with varied body-types and colorings and LEGO confirmed a figure in a wheelchair[4] will debut later this year, suggesting a shift toward toys that better reflect diverse consumers.
Muslim fashion is also an industry on the rise. Dolce & Gabbana is producing[5] a line of hijabs and abayas, which are over-garments popular among women in the Middle East. Last fall, H&M featured a model wearing a hijab[6] in an ad campaign.
For more on Hijarbie, check out Mic's coverage[7]. As always, email[8] faith and values-related story ideas and articles to Melissa Binder.
-- Melissa Binder
mbinder@oregonian.com
503-294-7656
@binderpdx[9][10]
References
- ^ Hijarbie Instagram account (www.instagram.com)
- ^ Hanie (www.instagram.com)
- ^ Mattel announced a new line (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ a figure in a wheelchair (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Dolce & Gabbana is producing (www.vogue.com)
- ^ H&M featured a model wearing a hijab
(www.nytimes.com) - ^ Mic's coverage (mic.com)
- ^ email (www.oregonlive.com)
- ^ mbinder@oregonian.com (www.oregonlive.com)
- ^ @binderpdx
(twitter.com)
