Nike has launched its first ever ‘modest swimwear’ collection, which includes a hijab that is suitable for wearing in the water.
It is launching the Victory Swim collection on 1 February 2020 to compliment its existing Hijab sports range.
The brand says the collection was inspired by swimmers who found the current options, which don’t provide full coverage, were a “barrier” to enjoying the sport.
Nike said in a statement:
“Existing products were lacking in either coverage or functionality, leaving [athletes] feeling weighed down by baggy garments, battling drag instead of striving toward personal bests.
Or worrying about whether their hijabs and coverings would remain in place.”
Items include a full-coverage swimsuit, a swim tunic top, swim leggings and the hijab, all made from warp-knit fabric, which is lightweight and quick-drying.
It also provides a UPF 40+ for head-to-toe sun protection and the swimsuit and tunic have a built-in sports bra with perforated cups.
The hijab features an integrated mesh pocket that holds hair in place throughout underwater movement, according to Nike.
Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari, the first in her sport to don the hijab in competition, regularly swims as part of her training programme, and helped test the product.
She said: “It doesn’t weigh you down, and it helped me swim better. It’s so different than any of the swimsuits I’ve ever seen, and I know I can wear this confidently.”
Martha Moore, Creative Director of Nike, said: “We’re excited to inspire more women to see themselves in sport by thinking creatively and designing inclusively.”
This range will be available in London stores from February and online shortly. Meanwhile these costumes have been banned in France for being un-French with many Muslim women going to swimming pools en-masse dressed in Islamic swimwear to avoid arrest.
Unity News Network (UNN) Staff Writer | To find out more details about our staff, please head to the About Us section on our website.
