H&M's first ever Muslim model in hijab
Mariah Idrissi is H&M's first ever Muslim model in a hijab.
H&M, which is the world's second largest clothing retailer, uploaded a short film on its official YouTube channel, for its "Close the Loop" campaign on Sept 3.
The 23-year-old Londoner was part of a diverse group of models featured in the video — which included an amputee model, plus—sized models, a group of Sikh men and a sheikh.
The campaign was to encourage consumers to recycle their clothes and reduce the need for virgin resources as well as other impacts fashion has on the planet.
5 things you need to know about Mariah Idrissi:
1. She has got her selfie game on, and H&M knows it
She has over 11,600 followers on her Instagram, many of whom have begged her to do tutorials on her flawless make-up and turban hijab techniques. She also updates on her latest henna application designs and also on new nail polish that she comes across. That's how H&M managed to track her down.
2. She's been on the stage since 14
Mariah has been on stage reading Islamic poetry, or Nasheed, and works with British Muslim television channels, according to Fusion. At the age of 14, she performed her first poem on Prophet Mohammed, in front of 200 people at a Malcolm X event in London.
3. She owns a salon in London
The family business was launched in London in July. Salon Marrakesh, specialises in henna application, Moroccan massages and also does "halal" maniures and pedicures for muslim women who are traditionally prohibited from wearing nail polish when they pray.
4. She is a devout Muslim
Born to Pakistani and Moroccan parents, she had spent 10 years in and Islamic school. From time to time, she also posts images of her favourite islamic quotes on her Instagram and Twitter accounts.
5. She believes that there is no point wearing a hijab if it's only for fashion
"I would say, make sure your intentions are correct in terms of why you're doing it. Hijab isn't a fashion," she tells CNN, having only started wearing the hijab at the age of 17.
"We can adjust it to fashion but we have to remember that the sole purpose of the hijab is to be modest.
"If you know you haven't corrected your inside first, there's no point in putting a hijab on for the fashion side of it. Because then, you're defeating the object."
Sources: CNN, Fusion, H&M Official Website, HLN
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