​Hijab fashion for the tiniest of ladies

Barbie is having a moment right now, evolving with new body shapes and blowing up on Instagram. 

Barbie is having a moment right now, evolving with new body shapes and blowing up on Instagram. (Remember Socality Barbie? R.I.P.) But one young woman, 24-year-old Haneefah Adam of Nigeria, wasn't seeing any of these Barbies dressed in the same way she did — wearing modest clothing that covers the body. So, two months ago, she started her own account, called @hijarbie. 


In interviews with Mic and BuzzFeed, Adam explained that she makes the clothes for the Barbie dolls herself. The designs are often inspired by looks worn by popular Muslim fashion bloggers.

As chic and lovely as Hijarbie's outfits are, the best part about the whole thing is what Adam hopes to accomplish through her Instagram account.

"I want [girls] to be inspired — this is about having an alternative and creating an awareness of having toys that adopts your religion and culture and in your own likeness, which at the end of the day, leads to an improvement in self-esteem," she told Mic.

As chic and lovely as Hijarbie's outfits are, the best part about the whole thing is what Adam hopes to accomplish through her Instagram account.

"I want [girls] to be inspired — this is about having an alternative and creating an awareness of having toys that adopts your religion and culture and in your own likeness, which at the end of the day, leads to an improvement in self-esteem," she told Mic.

"It's important to create a sense of value in the Muslim child, especially the girl child," Adam told Mic. "They become more confident, more driven, they believe more in themselves, which leads to an appreciation of herself and her modest lifestyle and upbringing. Instead of dressing up her dolls in clothes she wouldn't wear, hijabifying it will create a sense of belonging and hopefully make a positive impact."

Adam explained on Instagram that the dolls she uses for Hijarbie aren't racially diverse because she has a hard time sourcing any in Nigeria. "I'd have loved to dress up a black doll myself too," she wrote.

She also promised that Hijarbie fashions will be available for purchase soon.