Embracing the hijab lifestyle with an eye toward fashion

On Thursday, June 2, users of UC Irvine’s Muslim College student Union collected at Delta Accommodations by Marriott in Garden Grove for the club’s banquet.

Banquets are an occasion to gown up, and for pupil and design Rahan Alemi, they are also a time to express herself by way of trend.

No issue the situation nevertheless, Alemi has 1 accent she wears with just about every outfit: hijab.

“One huge element of hijab is people today presume that we are oppressed if we have on hijab,” claimed Alemi, “but it is really really the opposite. Hijab presents me liberty, hijab presents me liberty … liberty from societal expectations and natural beauty criteria.”

Hijab is a head covering worn by some Islamic women, but it refers to extra than just a head scarf. Hijab is a way of life that has a determination to dwelling modestly with really like for God at its middle.

Alemi stated when she began modeling for Muslim-owned fashion brands final calendar year, she started to embrace hijab.

“It was all around 2021 that I commenced modeling for Muslim businesses and modest apparel organizations that also sold hijab and modest clothing and attire,” stated Alemi. “That is what bought me into working towards hijab outside the house of dwelling and outdoors of the mosque.”

Alemi claimed as she improved her understanding of her faith and used it to her lifestyle, she fell in really like with the indicating at the rear of the apply and felt empowered putting on the Islamic head-masking.

“It genuinely built me experience happy and at ease and happy to be carrying it,” Alemi claimed.

In August 2021, Alemi committed to wearing hijab thoroughly.

“I experienced been wanting to have on hijab for a pair decades, but I never ever experienced the braveness or toughness to basically stick to through with it, with the way modern society is. I was honestly fearful of how I may be handled or the opportunities I might drop because of judgment and stereotypes,” stated Alemi.

Rahan Alemi began donning a hijab whole time in August 2021.

(Spencer Grant)

Alemi is the initially girl in her Afghan loved ones to make these kinds of a motivation.

“I am the very first female in my spouse and children on both equally my mom and dad’s facet to be donning hijab. At first it was a tricky strategy simply because within just our culture several persons do not put on hijab” mentioned Alemi. “It is a stereotype that it is an Arab society point, but in fact it is an Islamic detail.”

Alemi, who has been energetic on social media considering that 2019, also taken off all pics and movies that showed her hair. Her relatives became impressed with her dedication.

“Eventually, my family members noticed my love and passion for it, and now I am so content to have my mother and father and my siblings be so very pleased of me for taking that stage not only for our family members but for our local community,” Alemi explained.

Alemi proceeds to be lively on social media, putting up herself in higher-vogue outfits or modest swimwear, but always with hijab. This yr in the course of the Islamic holy thirty day period of Ramadan, Alemi teamed up with Human Worry International to raise cash for orphans and kids in have to have in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and extra.

“Human Problem International is a nonprofit group that reached out to massive influencers who can make an affect and increase revenue in get to enable,” said Alemi.

Alemi’s campaign raised $1,245.

Rahan Alemi poses for a selfie as her sister Ombahran watches.

(Spencer Grant)

She claimed her system has also authorized her to make connections with other Muslim ladies in the neighborhood.

“Being a job design for other lady on the net, I have had quite a few people today access out to me saying how substantially I assisted them in their journey, by seeing my journey. I have been on social media for several years now, and for my IG followers and my new followers, to see a younger lady in Southern California surrounded my non-Muslims remaining in a position to do that for myself is incredibly inspiring for them.”

Her representation of hijabi female isn’t just on the web but at vogue situations in genuine lifetime.

“At OC Fashion 7 days, I was invited as a model and influencer and was the only hijabi woman there,” said Alemi. “It was a shock to several folks as very well simply because they had been not anticipating to see that, or they weren’t expecting to see [a] Muslim lady in the trend industry.”

Rahan Alemi poses for a selfie as witnessed on her cellphone screen.

(Spencer Grant)

Alemi mentioned attending events like OC Style Week give her a opportunity to exhibit that girls who wear hijab are not necessarily oppressed.

“They can see that I am not what people today may perhaps stereotype Muslim female to be,” mentioned Alemi. “Many of my close friends and my friends have advised me they are so content to have a agent like me to demonstrate that Muslim lady aren’t oppressed and they are permitted to be artistic and be creative and convey what they adore to do.”

Alemi graduated from Irvine Valley School this calendar year and will be attending UCI in the drop, where she options to be lively in the Muslim College student Union and go after a diploma in legislation, all even though donning hijab.

“My hijab is my crown,” claimed Alemi. “I am truly very pleased of it.”

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