As we continue to bring you interviews with the six fantastic “everyday” women who joined us for our “Positive Threads” campaign featuring our Bamboo Woven Prints (and a new upcoming collection), we’re thrilled to introduce you to Saniyyah Bilal, who has a background in fashion and does work as runway and print model! Her motto is, “Dare to be unique & own it,” and she embodies it in everything she does.

Saniyyah was born in Philadelphia but now lives in New York. She studied fashion at Philadelphia University, receiving a B.S. & MBA., and has pursued a successful career in wardrobe styling for nine years. She has worked with music artists and on fashion show productions, photo shoots and various TV & film sets. She also has experience as a modest fashion model with a combination of experiences as a runway and print mode (including modeling in NYFS and Brooklyn Fashion Week and appearing in the pages of Allure and in campaigns for brands like HijabiPop, and Macy’s, to name a few).

Saniyyah finds her motivation through being a Black Muslim female fashion model. You can find her on Instagram @HijabiModel. I spoke with her about how she deals with the challenges of being visibly Muslim, how her hijab makes her feel and how she wants our communities to know that she is more then just a model.

It is very challenging. I get judged by how I look; people feel some of way about me just by seeing my hijab, not to mention my being a Black Muslim woman. I am very intentional when choosing to be visible. Especially when traveling, I am mindful of where I am going, if there is a big population of Muslims there and so on. It can be stressful, but with the times we live in, choosing to be visible means there are extra eyes on my back. But, I would not choose otherwise. May Allah (S) continue to guide and protect me! Ameen.

I choose to be visible because it is important for people to know my values and what I stand for, plus my hijab makes me feel empowered. Choosing to be visible is also a constant reminder of the type of character I should have, what type of environments I should be in, and who I am representing.

I love styling my hijab with my outfits, I love feeling unique while wearing it, and I love the feeling of seeing another Muslim woman knowing we are sisters in Islam. It is very challenging being judged by other Muslims and the general public. People have certain expectations that Muslim women cannot live full lives of independence and ambitions. It is a misconception that Muslim modest women are oppressed or do not have a voice or rights of their own. Islam encourages Muslim woman to be entrepreneurs, educated and influential.

I want you all to know that I feel you. I walk in your shoes and understand who you are. My why is for you. I use modeling as my platform to change the narrative for us and create change in the industry with diverse representation.

I am my happiest when I am with my family, when I am mentoring and when I am traveling. I love exploring new places.

I say positive affirmations, I pray, I talk to my husband, I replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts or honestly sometimes I just wait it out, do nothing, let myself feel down, get in bed and relax.

I was motivated because I love Haute Hijab. Also, because I wanted to show that I am more than just a model.

It is very important. It's about the subliminal messages conveyed in the media of what beauty is, what the status quo should look like and we are now just being seen in that representation. Growing up, there were certain things I thought I could not do, such as become a model, because I never saw anyone who looked like me – a Black woman and especially a Muslim. I thought I had to choose modeling or being Muslim. Also, there was no modest clothing. I always had to layer a cardigan or sweater overtop or a long sleeve fitted top underneath. The brands simply did not appeal to us.

I currently teach a fashion modeling course to teen girls online which is open for fall/winter enrollment. I used to be a wardrobe stylist for nine years. If you are ever in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian African American Museum, I have a photo of my styling work on the creative arts floor, a photo of Muslim women! Alhamdullilah!.

I hope to create Sadaqah Jariyah and, Insha’Allah, have a baby in the near future, creating a mini me! Haha!