Nike is catering for its Muslim customers with an upcoming collection.
When it comes to inclusivity, this sportswear brand is setting the pace.
First Nike debuted a viral marketing campaign featuring five inspirational women from the Middle East, and now the label is set to launch a modest sportswear product targeted at the region.
The Nike Pro Hijab is crafted in breathable, stretchy mesh fabric that’s been intensively tested by headscarf-wearing athletes, the brand says.
The back of the hijab itself is longer, to ensure it stays tucked in, while the fabric is studded with tiny, imperceptible holes to keep the wearer cool.
Weighing in at about 155 grams, the Pro Hijab will be sent to athletes around the globe before it’s released for general sale in spring 2018.
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“This movement first permeated international consciousness in 2012, when a hijabi runner [Sara Al-Attar] took the global stage in London.”
Nike+ Run Club Coach Manal Rostom also features in the campaign, donning the hijab complete with a signature white swoosh.
The brand, which also recently launched its first plus-size collection, said the sports hijab was conceived after a conversation with Emirati weightlifter Amna Al Haddad.
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“[She] recounted how the garment’s weight, the potential for it to shift during action and its lack of breathability disrupted her focus,” said Nike.
“She also detailed her extreme difficulty finding performance hijabs; Amna had only one competition-worthy covering, so she had to hand wash it every night during competitions.”
The finished product will come in black, grey and obsidian, though Nike have suggested brighter hues might be used in the future.
Images: Instagram/vivienneballa, Nike
