Models backstage at Mashael AlRajhi. Photo: Getty
At the Mashael Alrajhi Spring 2018 show on Saturday evening, a handful of models stood out amongst the rest on the runway wearing oversized dresses with organza details, expertly-cut pinstriped blazers, and breezy, floor-trailing jumpsuits paired with a black, headscarf accentuated with the signature Nike swoosh, marking the international runway debut of the hotly-anticipated Nike Pro Hijab.
It was a momentous moment for Fashion Forward and Mashael Alrajhi, which had the entire crowd pulling out their iPhones to capture. Despite being photographed a number of times in fashion campaigns and editorials following its March announcement, the sporty headscarf had yet to appear on the runway— until now. With the unveiling of the Nike Pro Hijab on local grounds, in a local fashion show by a Saudi Arabian designer, Nike continues to hit the mark.
Prior to its release, The hijab was tested by Middle Eastern and North African female athletes, including Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari. The product announcement was accompanied with a campaign, which featured a number of Muslim athletes running, boxing, and fencing in traditional villages while wearing the garment. By debuting the breezy, dri-fit fabric during Fashion Forward, Nike proves its ongoing commitment to being more inclusive and catering to its expansive Muslim market.
The Nike Pro Hijab is set to hit shelves online and in Nike stores in early December, which is earlier than its initial Spring 2018 release date.
Read Caterina Minthe’s Mashael Alrajhi Spring 2018 review here.
