The UK-based fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing featured model Billy Marsal to model for its new line of modest clothing. This is the first time that the retailer has used a model wearing a hijab, or a headscarf.
The 21-year-old plus-sized Marsal is a London-based social media influencer and has over 115,000 followers on Instagram. She was scouted by the retailer on social media after it entered the Middle East market.
She shared the news on Twitter, posting a message along with screenshots of her modelling for the range that read ‘Soooo… that’s me. THE FIRST HIJABI ON PLT!!! Still so wild to me.’
Soooo… that’s me. THE FIRST HIJABI ON PLT!!! Still so wild to me 😩😩🔥🔥🔥💕💕 pic.twitter.com/oVcSyebjCf
— billy marsal (@billy_marsal) October 19, 2020
“I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until I started getting replies and messages from people who were so excited about it, then I realized, wow, this is amazing,” Marsal told CNN.
“It’s an insane feeling, Yes, I am Black, I am Muslim, I am plus size, but I never thought it would be me to make people feel like this.”
The modest clothing line features a range of dresses that include everyday wear, swimwear, and gym wear among others.
“Following our successful launch into the Middle East we are delighted to be launching our ‘Modest clothing’ collection on site,” PrettyLittleThing said in a news release. “Our ethos of ‘EveryBODYinPLT is extremely important to us, so it’s been amazing seeing such positive customer feedback and working with models who represent all of our customer base.”
The comments that Marsal has received on her post shows that the audience are extremely appreciative of brands becoming more inclusive.
One of her followers wrote, “The fact that you are the first one model with an Hijab and that you actually are a Plus Size model make me sooooo happy ❤️
Be proud of you girl cause we are.”
The fact that you are the first one model with an Hijab and that you actually are a Plus Size model make me sooooo happy ❤️
Be proud of you girl cause we are !— 🦇 Floddoley-eeh-ooh 🦇 (@FloddTheWendigo) October 19, 2020
Another said, “I hope this helps more people who wear hijabs to feel more included in all aspects society 💓. I know there is a HELLA long way to go but this makes me so happy”
I hope this helps more people who wear hijabs to feel more included in all aspects society 💓. I know there is a HELLA long way to go but this makes me so happy
— lornz (@lorndogz) October 19, 2020
Isn’t it amazing that fashion brands are now becoming more inclusive? What do you think? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
