Muslim Designer Anniesa Hasibuan Had an All-Immigrant Cast of Models at NYFW

Indonesian Muslim designer Anniesa Hasibuan.

New York, 21 Jumadil Awwal 1438/18 February 2017 (MINA) – Last season, Indonesian designer Anniesa Hasibuan made history by becoming the first-ever designer to present a New York Fashion Week collection with hijabs.

Now, amidst a season where multiple brands have taken the opportunity to make political statements with their shows, the Muslim designer decided to respond to the anti-immigrant policies the US currently face by casting her show entirely with immigrants and second-generation children of immigrants.

“For me, fashion is an open world. I don’t want to discriminate,” she told ELLE.com through a translator after her show last night.

“The ability to express diversity in this business is a value that I hold on to. [Diversity] is what fashion is for me.”

“This show was the opportunity to show that Islam is beautiful,” the designer continued.

“I believe everyone should be presented with equal opportunities, especially if he or she has passion, talents, and skills, because not all immigrants are ‘bad.’ We’ve proved they are beautiful and a great contribution to the States.”

Hasibuan hopes that she can continue to promote and spread the image that women who wear the hijab “can be as stylish and glamorous as other women can be” and that so-called modest fashion is something to appreciate, not chide.

“Difference is not something to be afraid of—it’s something you should embrace,” she said. “We have this vision and mission of bringing peace, and fashion is one of the means we can use to spread these beautiful values to the world.” (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)