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Haneefah Adam Creates Hijarbie, A Hijab Barbie Taking Over Instagram

"Hijabifying [Barbie] will create a sense of belonging and hopefully make a positive impact."

It's Barbie's world, and we're just living in it.

The iconic doll, who just got a major upgrade with three new body types (curvy, tall and petite), along with seven skin tones, 22 eye colours and 24 hairstyles, is making waves yet again, but this time, she has one young woman in Nigeria to thank for it.

Introducing hijab Barbie!

The #LBD (Long Black Dress). Staple in every wardrobe. #abaya #hijarbiestyle #hijabfashion #hijarbie

A photo posted by Mini Hijab Fashion! (@hijarbie) on

Twenty-four-year-old Haneefah Adam has created Hijarbie, an Instagram account showcasing Barbie modelling "mini hijab fashion." Ditching her usual hot pants and body con dresses in favour of hijabs (headscarves) and abayas (traditional robe-like garments), the Hijarbie is gaining momentum with a 12.8 thousand followers and counting.

Blue 💧💧☄ #Hijarbie #hijarbiestyle #hijabstyle #hijabfashion

A photo posted by Mini Hijab Fashion! (@hijarbie) on

Adam first got the idea after cruising Barbie's wildly popular Barbie Style Instagram, where she noticed she wasn't seeing any photos of the doll dressed up in the same way she did.

"It got me thinking about how I'd actually like to see a doll dressed up like I would have — covered up," Adam tells Mic in a interview. "I was mulling about the idea for about three months while I was still studying for my master's degree in the U.K. When I got back to Nigeria, I went to the mall, purchased a doll, dressed it up, documented it and here we are."

Who loves a tutu skirt as much as I do! 👛

A photo posted by Mini Hijab Fashion! (@hijarbie) on

Adam, who has launched a modest lifestyle brand called Hanie Collection, designs all of Hijarbie's dresses and hijabs for her and gets her inspiration from many famous Muslim fashion bloggers, including Habiba Da Silva and Leena Asad.

As pointed out by Mic, the Muslim style world is "bustling with young women eager to show off their own outfits and inspiration." @HijabFashion has nearly 1.7 million followers, and luxury brands like Dolce & Gabanna are finally introducing collections that feature hijabs and abayas.

Hijab Barbie may live on the Internet, but as Mic says, she is showing many young Muslim girls who wear a hijab "they are no less beautiful or special than Barbie herself."

🌰 #hijabbarbie #hijarbiestyle #hijarbie

A photo posted by Mini Hijab Fashion! (@hijarbie) on

"I want them 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," Adam says.

She continues, "It's important to create a sense of value in the Muslim child, especially the girl child. 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."

Agreed! Follow Hijarbie on Instagram here.

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