Meet the Melbourne Miss Universe hopeful opting to compete in a burkini
Melbourne model Hanan Ibrahim is set to break new ground in the Miss Universe Australia final by becoming the first contestant to swap a bikini for a burkini. Here’s why she’s proud to be a trailblazer.
Entertainment
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Melbourne model Hanan Ibrahim will break new ground as the first woman to wear a burkini in the Miss Universe Australia national final.
Ibrahim is the first Muslim woman to take part in the national final and the Miss Universe Australia organisation has overhauled the controversial swimsuit part of the competition to make it more inclusive of cultural and religious beliefs and different body shapes.
Rusty Swimwear has worked with Ibrahim to create an elegant and fashionable burkini and matching hijab while also providing other contestants with different styles of swimwear including one pieces, string bikinis, fuller bikinis, and long sleeve one-pieces.
Ibrahim said she was proud to represent her culture and faith in the high profile competition.
“I knew there was the swimsuit section when I applied and I did explain that my version of a bikini is a burkini,” she said.
“Coming into this space and having to explain and educate people has been rewarding to me. If I chose to go to the beach wearing a burkini and not a bikini I am still an Australian girl who just wants to have a good day at the beach.
“For so long modesty has been seen as something that is not beautiful or can’t be worn nicely but it is and it can be.
“I am lucky that I live in a country that has accepted me being part of a platform like this in my hijab and bending the rules to accept me and include me.”
Ibrahim said hoped she was role model for other young Muslim women as she prepares for the Miss Universe Australia final in Melbourne on October 30.
“I hope that my work reaches the people who need to see it the most, who are young people like the teenage person I was, who never saw anyone like me represented anywhere,” she said.
“I never saw myself represented on any platform let alone something as internationally recognised as Miss Universe or a fashion runway so I am really excited to be at the forefront of changing the narrative of what is commonplace.”
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