Muslim athletes have long been overlooked in the athletic-wear industry, as adequate performance gear that is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable isn't always accessible. In 2017, Nike introduced the Pro Hijab—a soft, fast-absorbing garment made for competitive sports. Two years later, Nike is expanding on the Pro Hijab by releasing a full collection of modest performance-wear for Muslim athletes.
Nike was inspired to launch The Victory Collection after recognizing the lack of performance gear options for watersport athletes "who don’t want to choose between modesty and movement with comfort and confidence." After listening to the feedback of athletes like Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari, the design team came up with a head-to-toe swim set that "brings performance innovation to modest swimwear."
The Nike Victory Swim Hijab is designed with a fitted headband and breathable mesh to ensure comfort and security for high-energy sports. Nike built in a bra in the Nike Victory Swim Tunic Top for extra support and the straight-leg silhouette of the Nike Victory Swim Leggings comes in a lightweight fabric that's also cling-free so it won't affect speed.
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"Most of the girls I meet are reluctant to swim or scuba dive because of their modesty preferences and they find it difficult finding the right modest solution," Nouf Alosaimi, Saudi Arabia's first technical diver told Nike. "I believe this suit will cater to many women who wish to perform water sports without any reservations, as it truly serves the purpose of modesty with a loose fit. Now I can invite more girls into diving and swimming and they can enjoy the sport without concerns."
The Nike Victory Swim Collection will officially launch on February 1 online at nike.com and at select retailers globally, including Nike's New York and Santa Monica locations, Nike London and Nike Dubai.
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
