And in Sweden, Imane Asry’s look is indeed the Look of the Year, and the Look of the Future. But Elle’s critics are correct: the hijab is mandated in Islam because keeping men from being tempted is solely a woman’s responsibility, and she is punished if he is tempted anyway. Elle is validating this perspective and more regarding Islam’s dehumanization and degradation of women.
“Outrage as Swedish Elle Picks Hijabi-Clad Influencer as ‘Look of the Year,'” Sputnik, January 22, 2020 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
The winner, Imane Asry, a student of economics, suggested that the time was ripe to normalise the hijab in the fashion industry, which she called “superficial and homogeneous”.
During the Elle gala in Sweden, influencer Imane Asry, a popular hijabi blogger was picked for the “Look of the Year” award, in collaboration with L´Oréal Paris.
Asry is an influencer with over 150,000 followers on her Instagram page Fashion with Faith, who earlier described herself as “Muslim fashion-crazy girl”. She received the award from last year’s winner Linnea Henriksson.
“This prize, it is for all of us who did not see ourselves in the fashion magazines, because we did not fit in. And with that said, I want to say: We can too”, Asry commented on her victory.
“I was absolutely convinced that someone who looked like me could not win such an award. In addition, being a visible Muslim woman with an influence in fashion Sweden feels almost unreal! It makes me so happy to see such changes in an otherwise very superficial and homogeneous industry.”
Asry, a student of economics, was voted by Elle’s readers and followers. She described her style as “modest fashion” and a way of meeting spiritual and stylistic requirements.
“I think my style reaches out and inspires so many, not just Muslim women. Also, many people can identify with my work. This is a confirmation that the time is more than ripe for us to start normalising the hijab in the fashion industry. Fashion is for everyone,” Asry concluded.
However, the nomination ruffled a lot of feathers among the Swedish public, where many thought Elle was indirectly supporting the oppression of women.
Writer and columnist Ann Heberlein likened Elle to the Scripture for fashion enthusiasts around the world, which is why its stance matters.
“What is the message Elle wants to communicate by letting ‘modest fashion’ win the Look of the Year anno 2020? Well, that women should cover their bodies, take responsibility for the man’s sexuality by not tempting him, being modest and humble. Don’t take too much space, don’t be too visible, don’t provoke. I think it is a sad message to communicate to women,” Heberlein, who holds a doctorate in ethics, suggested in her opinion piece in Nyheter Idag…