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It's a doll that makes a fashion statement and the designer, 24-year-old Haneefah Adam says can also change the way young Muslim girls see themselves.
Hijarbie, the modestly dressed doll styled by Haneefah out of her bedroom in Kwara state, western Nigeria wears hijabs and abayas in prints, bold colours and various fabrics.
Haneefah, who has a masters degree in Pharmacology from Coventry University in the UK, said the idea for Hijarbie came to her after going through a popular Barbie Style site on social media where she noticed all the dolls were dressed in skimpy or tight fitting outfits - a style most Muslim girls are unable to identify with.
The dolls' bodies are imported from China. Haneefah designs their clothes using locally sourced fabrics and makes everything from colourful fashionable hijabs, maxi skirts, maxi gowns, fully covered blouses and abayas or traditional gowns.
Haneefah says Hijarbie shows young Muslim girls that they can be fashionable and stylish without losing their identity.
What started out as a hobby shared on Instagram is growing into a profitable business for Haneefah.
The Hijarbie Instagram page has 63,400 followers since its first post in November last year. The doll has sold 200 pieces since February through a distributor in the UK from where it is dispatched to other parts of the world and sold for 25 pounds (7,219 naira).
Haneefah says she is now working on a fashion line by the same name and plans to start selling the doll within Nigeria but the success of the brand has come as a surprise to her.
It's a doll that makes a fashion statement and the designer, 24-year-old Haneefah Adam says can also change the way young Muslim girls see themselves.
Hijarbie, the modestly dressed doll styled by Haneefah out of her bedroom in Kwara state, western Nigeria wears hijabs and abayas in prints, bold colours and various fabrics.
Haneefah, who has a masters degree in Pharmacology from Coventry University in the UK, said the idea for Hijarbie came to her after going through a popular Barbie Style site on social media where she noticed all the dolls were dressed in skimpy or tight fitting outfits - a style most Muslim girls are unable to identify with.
The dolls' bodies are imported from China. Haneefah designs their clothes using locally sourced fabrics and makes everything from colourful fashionable hijabs, maxi skirts, maxi gowns, fully covered blouses and abayas or traditional gowns.
Haneefah says Hijarbie shows young Muslim girls that they can be fashionable and stylish without losing their identity.
What started out as a hobby shared on Instagram is growing into a profitable business for Haneefah.
The Hijarbie Instagram page has 63,400 followers since its first post in November last year. The doll has sold 200 pieces since February through a distributor in the UK from where it is dispatched to other parts of the world and sold for 25 pounds (7,219 naira).
Haneefah says she is now working on a fashion line by the same name and plans to start selling the doll within Nigeria but the success of the brand has come as a surprise to her.
Pictures courtesy Seun Sanni
Link to the video: Modest makeover for Barbie
Pics of Haneefah below:
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