Nigerian artist Haneefah Adam has rekindled the presence of her iconic Hijarbie dolls – a collection of hijab-wearing Barbies that embrace and celebrate Muslim culture. After a hiatus spanning six years, the Hijarbie Instagram account came to life once again, revealing an exquisite doll adorned in a sugar-pink ensemble and hijab, standing gracefully before a matching pink backdrop. This revival has been met with genuine surprise and heartfelt appreciation from devoted admirers.
In the year 2015, Haneefah Adam embarked on her creative journey of introducing dolls draped in Muslim attire, a response to the noticeable absence of modest clothing and hijabs in the realm of social media. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences and a desire for representation, Adam, a self-taught artist who previously shared her thoughts on food, faith, and fashion through her blog, felt compelled to address this gap in the visual narrative.
In an interview with The Guardian, Adam disclosed, “I didn’t see a doll that looked like me.” Fuelled by this realization, she took matters into her own hands and designed a doll adorned in a black hijab, complemented by a navy maxi skirt and a stylish blue top. Sharing a snapshot of her creation in December 2015, Adam's inbox was soon flooded with positive comments and queries from intrigued individuals seeking to procure clothing for their daughters and nieces. The doll even managed to spark playful envy over its impeccable fashion sense.
Adam's artistic journey took a significant leap forward with her interpretation of a cornflower blue abaya, influenced by British lifestyle and fashion influencer Habiba da Silva. The subsequent media frenzy, including recognition from Teen Vogue, propelled her work into the spotlight.
Over the course of seven years, Hijarbie's Instagram account has evolved into a visual tapestry of Muslim fashion and culture, adorned with over 70 diverse outfits and featuring dolls inspired by influential Muslim women. The account has garnered an impressive following of 59,000 individuals who resonate with Adam's powerful message of representation and inclusion.
Resuming her creative efforts recently, Adam returned to the world of Hijarbie after a hiatus during which she focused on nurturing her young family. The catalyst for her return was the buzz generated by the Barbie movie, that champions feminist ideals. In a conversation with The Guardian, she articulated, "Barbie has created a new phenomenon, celebrating femininity, independence, and female power."
While the journey has been predominantly marked by positive responses, Adam acknowledged the existence of dissenting voices, highlighting, "Some people wrote things like ‘remove your hijab’, but that was a minority. Even non-Muslims have appreciated how important it is to talk about representation."
The influence of Adam's work extends beyond her Instagram account, contributing to a broader shift in the depiction of hijab-wearing women. In 2017, Mattel, the renowned toy manufacturer, introduced the world to the first Barbie doll adorned with a hijab, inspired by US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.
The pinnacle of this journey was witnessing the portrayal of a hijab-clad Barbie in the 2023 movie, played by Dr Fatumina Said Abukar. Reflecting on her diverse collection, Adam remarked, "My Barbies are diverse... The doll exists to celebrate all of us."
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