Mvslim
During my childhood, I grew up in an Islamic community. At the time, many Muslimahs hadn’t worn bright patterns and colors like they do now. You’d see a lot of women in black, brown, and navy.
I was always told I dressed weird. My outfits were policed even more as I grew older. They hadn’t understood that I used Fashion and makeup as a way differentiate myself and express my own individuality. I just hadn’t wanted to dress like the other girls.
Many of times if I had worn lipstick or color, I’d get funny looks. A few people even made comments to my face. And let me know that makeup wasn’t permissible or that all I was looking for was attention.
I did my best to incorporate my own style into the Islamic dress, but it still wasn’t enough. If I hadn’t wore what they thought I should wear then I wasn’t going to be accepted as enough.
I got so angry that I wore black lipstick to prayer as a way of saying: you will no longer police me. I wish y’all could’ve seen how big their eyes were. It was as if I was an alien amongst my own people.
What we choose to wear (or not wear) is personal.
So, here I am looking like a super weird Afro-Futuristic hijabi queen dripping in gold with, of course a black lippie!
Leah V. is the fashionable creator of Beauty and the Muse and LeahVDaily (YouTube). She is an African-American Muslim living in Metro Detroit. She is a style blogger, wardrobe stylist, +Model, body positive/diversity activist, and novelist.
Photo credits: Jarrard Martin
