New York Fashion Week: Hijabs hit the catwalk with immigrant-only show

Muslim fashion designer Anniesa Hasibuan is making history, again

Designer Anniesa Hasibuan cast her show entirely with immigrants (AFP/Getty Images)

Last season, Muslim fashion designer Anniesa Hasibuan made headlines as she became the first ever designer to feature hijabs in every outfit of her collection.

Now, at a time when what Muslim women choose to wear is causing debate and multiple brands are deciding to make political statements via their shows, Hasibuan is making history once again.

Unveiling her second collection amid controversy over US President Donald Trump’s recent order on immigration, the Muslim designer decided to cast her show entirely with immigrants and second-generation children of immigrants.

Hasibuan, however, claims that her work is first and foremost geared toward Muslim women and not a reaction to politics.

Hasibuan says her shows prove that “fashion is for everybody” (Getty)

“I'm here bringing the beautiful voice of the Muslim women, the peace and the universal values that fashion can offer,” she told AFP.

In just two seasons, the Indonesian Muslim designer has successfully made the hijab her trademark, bringing it into the mainstream and insisting that “fashion is for everybody.”

“There is beauty in diversity and differences , something we should not be afraid of,” she added.

Hasibuan isn’t the only designer looking to break down stereotypes in the fashion industry though.

For Yeezy Season 5, Kanye West cast hijab-wearing Somali-American model Halima Aden to make her runway debut at New York Fashion Week.

The 19-year-old first made headlines back in November after competing in Minnesota’s Miss USA competition while wearing a hijab and proudly modelling a burkini for the swimsuit portion.

Now, she’s breaking the boundaries of beauty and perception and is fast becoming an icon within the industry.