Hijabi model Halima Aden, in collaboration with Anywear, has created an N95 mask that is a lot more comfortable for healthcare workers who wear hijabs. This project is called “Banding Together”.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, shortages of masks and PPE gear have posed a problem. And even when frontline workers have access to the right gear, issues can arise.
Created for short-term use rather than 24/7 wear, traditional masks can quickly become uncomfortable. In fact, many hospital workers have reported scarring and irritation due to the restrictive ear straps. For hijabi doctors and nurses, the situation is further complicated with standard-issue masks that don’t account for headscarves and facial coverings.
Now model Halima Aden has come on board with a range of hijab and turban sets. Many brands have pivoted to mask making. But, unfortunately, few have addressed the needs of frontline workers from all faiths. Aden’s custom hijabs add something new to the equation and the market; precisely what Anywear’s cofounders Emily Shippee and Adi-Lee Cohen had in mind.
Medical history
During her time in health care, Aden experienced what it was like to wear them beneath her hijab. “Early on, I understood the importance of wearing that extra protective gear, whether it was the gloves or the personal protection equipment, so when COVID-19 happened, and there were so many shortages, I felt such sympathy.”
“I struggled with my scarf and having to pin it,” she says. “I can remember wishing that there was a way for the hijab to be a part of the uniform instead of me having to go and match the fabric and never be able to find scarf options to go with my scrubs.”
For her collection of hijabi masks, Halima Aden designed the kinds of pieces she’d always been looking for. Offered in a range of tranquil colours, her turbans and hijabs integrate seamlessly into a uniform. Best of all, each purchase comes with a matching donation to provide PPE for those in need.
“I wanted something that would bring joy to the patients and the health care workers,” she says. “When it came time to design the sets, I chose shades that I associate with peace instead of the standard white; colours just made me feel good looking at them.”
Ease of wear was also essential. “This is giving people the tools to feel comfortable and do their job to the best of their ability,” she says. “There are so many hijabi women working in health care; their comfort is as important as anyone else’s in the workforce.”