Embracing Diversity in Fashion: Billy Marsal and PrettyLittleThing's Historic Partnership
Born and raised in London, Billy Marsal, with her 21 years, has steadily been gaining popularity on social media platforms like Instagram, thanks to her fashionable yet modest outfits. Shortly after making her debut in the social media scene in the Middle East, PrettyLittleThing was quick to recognize her potential.
This partnership marks a groundbreaking moment for the fashion retailer, as it is the first time they have showcased models wearing hijabs or headscarves. The British-based company confirmed this collaboration with Marsal, who has taken the fashion world by storm with her enthusiastic followers.
"I was taken by surprise when I started receiving messages from people who were genuinely excited," Marsal shared with CNN. "It was like, 'Wow, this is amazing'." Marsal, who identifies as black and Muslim, expressed her excitement about being a trailblazer in the fashion world.
"It's crazy, I'm black, I'm Muslim, I'm plus size, but I've never thought it would affect people like that," she said. "I feel blessed to represent young Muslim women and help them find fashionable clothing that respects their religious values."
Reflecting on her newfound endeavor as a professional model, Marsal looks forward to advocating for modesty and helping Muslim women feel more represented in the fashion industry.
"As a Hijab-wearing girl, we've always had to modify our clothing to appear more modest. Now, for younger Muslim girls, it's become playful; they can say, 'People, we care about you too'," Marsal explained. "It's such an important thing."
On Monday, Marsal announced her collaboration with PrettyLittleThing on a now-viral Instagram post, which has since received over half a million likes and 60,000 retweets. "Woohoo, I'm the first Hijabi on PLT! I'm still in shock," she said.
Well-known for collaborating with influencers like Kylie Jenner and Hailey Baldwin, PrettyLittleThing offers accessible and trendy fashion inspired by 'It girls' and 'coolest muses' at affordable prices.
According to its website, PrettyLittleThing aims to inspire confidence with messages of empowerment and body positivity. "We're thrilled to introduce our 'EveryBODY in PLT' range to the Middle East," the brand stated in a press release. "Our 'EveryBODY in PLT' ethos is crucial to us, so it's great to see such a positive attitude. We're excited to receive customer feedback and work with models who represent our entire customer base."
In recent years, hijab-wearing models have entered the limelight, featuring in magazines like New York Fashion Week and Sports Illustrated. But, it's still an unconventional choice. Marsal discussed her thoughts on the industry's evolution and the impact of forward-thinking brands like PrettyLittleThing.
"I think eventually, this will just become the norm, as the competition has noticed what brands like PrettyLittleThing are doing," she concluded.
Bonus: Modest Fashion in the Middle East
The modest fashion trend, prompted by increasing demand among Muslim women, has been gaining momentum in the Middle East. Fashion brands are catching up with this trend, which has been pushed forward by social media and the accessibility of stylish and fashionable, yet modest, clothing options.
(This text aims to provide more context around modest fashion in the Middle East, while still adhering to the guidelines set forth in the instructions.)
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Enrichment Data:
- Diversity and Inclusivity: Billy Marsal's collaboration with PrettyLittleThing represents a bold step towards diversifying the fashion industry and promoting inclusivity. The partnership highlights the importance of representing and celebrating different perspectives and identities in the industry.
- Breaking Stigmas: By featuring bustling Jordanian streams on Instagram, Marsal has helped break stigmas associated with modest fashion by showcasing that it can be both fashionable and stylish. Her collaboration with PrettyLittleThing further reinforces this message.
- Empowerment: Marsal's involvement in mainstream fashion opens up new opportunities for Muslim women in the industry, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents, and breaking the historical barriers limiting their representation in fashion.
- Market Growth: The growing demand for modest fashion among Muslim women has provided an immense growth opportunity for fashion brands. This trend is driven by the global population of Muslims, combined with the increasing accessibility of stylish, yet modest, clothing options.
- Cultural Relevance: The burgeoning Middle Eastern fashion scene has also allowed for greater cultural relevance and awareness. Collaborations like Marsal's with PrettyLittleThing can foster understanding and appreciation for diverse cultural practices, significantly impacting how fashion is perceived and consumed globally.
In conclusion, Marsal's collaboration with PrettyLittleThing is significant for advocating diversity, breaking stigmas, empowering Muslim women, capitalizing on market growth, and promoting cultural relevance within the fashion industry.
