Campus Connection

First hijab-wearing Muslim model shares evolving role of inclusion in fashion

It was only seconds that model Mariah Idrissi was visible in her first H & M ad in late 2015. But those moments were enough to catapult her onto the international stage as the first hijab-wearing woman to be involved in a major campaign for a fashion brand. What followed was the beginning of a change in the fashion industry, as well as a change in Idrissi’s life path. Idrissi shared her message during a public lecture Monday, Oct. 23, in Centennial Hall. She’ll present again, “Changing the Face of Fashion,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in 1309 Centennial Hall. The presentations are organized by UWL’s Anti-Islamophobia Working group in conjunction with UWL’s Fashion Week. Since her H & M debut, Idrissi has not only signed additional modeling contracts, but also held international speaking engagements and shared her viewpoints related to representations of diversity in the fashion world with national and international news outlets including CNN and the BBC. She also gave a TEDxTeen talk. Idrissi was compelled to use her new, highly-visible platform for more than just selling clothing. “Just having my face out there was not enough,” she says. “My voice needed to be represented as well.” During Tuesday’s presentation, Idrissi will explore the changing and evolving role of inclusion in fashion, along with the importance of representation in all fields, especially fashion. She also explores the ways representation in fashion and elsewhere can lead to breaking down barriers of misconceptions and Islamophobia. Her public voice has created more awareness about Muslim women and why they wear the hijab. She says the best way to understand is to read the scripture. “There is good and bad in everything. Some girls are pressured to wear hijab and some freely do it," she says. "I think it gets back to original message of why we do it. And I think it is a beautiful reason.” Idrissi hopes her presentations inspires others to take opportunities when they come — just as she did. She had no formal fashion or modeling background when she was discovered by a modeling scout. But she took the opportunity, and then made it her own.