Sarah Salem is a Doctor of Audiology student in the University’s Osborne College of Audiology, who knows how to be fashionable and incorporate her religion into it as well.
As a Muslim, headscarves have become Salem’s favorite fashion piece to showcase her individuality. “As I pick out an outfit, I'm always thinking about which headscarf I’m going to pick,” she said. “Generally, I try to incorporate flower crowns as well as neutral colors”
Growing up, she navigated how to showcase her individuality through her clothing. Both her parents are Muslim, and at a certain age she decided to start wearing head scarfs. “I loved fashion beforehand, so I had to figure out how to switch my style to be more modest and fully covered,” said Salem. “So, when I decided to put the headscarf on I knew I didn’t want to lose myself fashion-wise.’"
While incorporating hijabs, also referred to as headscarves, into her wardrobe, she used to sit in the mirror and practice different styles to see what fit her. A hijab is a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women.
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, she saw hijabs in her community but didn’t see them represented in the fashion world. At the time, the fashion industry seemed much less inclusive, and many individuals, Salem included, did not see themselves represented.
She has seen a change in the fashion industry regarding more inclusive representation. "Now, I could go to H&M and feel like I'm totally represented," she said. “It was really interesting to see fashion brands’ take on modest fashion. They even have hijabi models now. So, it's really cool to see that represented in stores now.”
When asked whether the modest style limited her style options, she responded yes and no. “I can't wear everything, but it doesn't limit my creativity,” said Salem. “If anything, it pushes my creativity more.”
While pertaining to her graduate studies at Salus, she has to be completely covered throughout her day. “So, I'll wear my headscarf and then I'll wear long sleeves under my scrubs, which doesn’t get in the way of my work,” said Salem. ”I want to work with pediatrics so I have to be extra aware of how I wrap my scarf so the kids aren't tugging on it. But besides that, it really doesn't limit me in any way.”
