Mattel (NASDAQ:MAT[1]) is not behind the groundbreaking concept of the Hijab Barbie[2].
A woman wearing a typical Hijab.
The toy company has made headlines recently by launching a variety of Barbies with different skin tones and body sizes[3]. However, Mattel could still learn a thing or two about designing dolls that appeal to certain demographics.
A Nigerian woman took the company's iconic Barbie concept and gave it a Muslim twist. Pharmacy student Haneefah Adam calls herself the Hijab Barbie.
The 24-year-old Nigerian often posts fashionable pictures of herself wearing a Hijab on Instagram[4]. The Hijab is a veil that women who have reached puberty wear under Muslim law–Al-hijab refers to "the veil which separates man or the world from God".
Adam's images of herself in hijabs and long dresses are dubbed "Hijarbies" on Instagram. She says the concept of the Hijarbie came to her after visiting Barbie Style's Instagram page.
"I thought I had not seen Barbie dressed in a hijab before so I decided to open an Instagram account and dressed Barbie up in the clothes that I made," Adam told CNN. " I thought it was really important for a doll to be dressed like how I would be."
She hopes that her Instagram persona, which she calls a "modest doll," serves as a role model for Muslim girls to relate to. Adam is deeply in touch with her religion and cultural identity.
MAT stock is up 5.14% Wednesday.
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References
- ^ MAT (investorplace.com)
- ^ Hijab Barbie (www.ibtimes.co.uk)
- ^ body sizes (investorplace.com)
- ^ on Instagram (www.instagram.com)
