On the heels of announcing the official release of its first plus-size collection, Nike has yet another lesson to teach the fashion industry. The sportswear powerhouse is taking more steps toward inclusivity with a new line for hijab-wearing athletes called Pro Hijab. Made of lightweight polyester mesh that’s both breathable and opaque, the head scarf finally allows Muslim women to wear performance-gear versions of their traditional veils. (They come in black, gray and obsidian with the signature Nike swoosh.)
The design process took a little over a year, with the final product set to be available in stores come spring 2018. Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari, who tested the hijab, said she felt thrilled and emotional upon seeing the prototype. “I’ve tried so many different hijabs for performance, and…so few of them actually work for me,” she said in a statement. “But once I put it on and took it for a spin on the ice, I was blown away by the fit and the light weight.” This marks the first time a major activewear brand in the United States has created a sports hijab. Here’s to more diversity.
