Nike's new swim collection includes hijab, full-coverage tunic and leggings as sports brand dips into 'modest swimwear'
Nike has announced they will be launching a 'Victory Swim Collection' which will include a full-coverage swimsuit, as well as a swim hijab, a swim tunic, and swim leggings.
The retailer announced the new collection in a press release and said the objective was to bring "performance innovation to modest swimwear."
The company said, "Its sleek, innovative silhouette provides a game-changing option for female athletes seeking full coverage and full range of motion in the water."
The 'warp-knit fabric' used for the swimwear is lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying, the company said, adding that the head-to-toe UPF 40+ rating offered additional benefits for athletes also seeking protection from the sun.
Furthermore, both the full-coverage swimsuit and the swim tunic top will feature a built-in sports bra with perforated cups, while the leggings will "reflect a streamlined yet modest silhouette that enables speed and agility without excessive cling."
The hijab is not without innovation either and will have an integrated mesh pocket that holds the hair in place throughout underwater movement.
Emirati figure skater Zahari Lari, who was the first in her sport to don the hijab in competition and swims regularly for supplemental aerobic training and recovery sessions, was all praise for the Victory Swim Collection.
"I feel super light and confident in this," she said. "It doesn’t weigh you down, and it helped me swim better. It’s so different than any of the swimsuits I’ve ever seen, and I know I can wear this confidently."
The collection reportedly drew inspiration from athletes who responded positively to the Nike Pro Hijab, which had a single-layer pull-on design made from lightweight polyester in dark, neutral colors with tiny holes that make the fabric breathable and opaque.
Earlier this year, MEAWW reported that the Toronto Raptors became the first team in NBA history to offer the Nike Pro hijabs with the team's logo emblazoned on it. The team announced the move was "inspired by those brave enough to change the game" and that it was about "celebrating and increasing opportunities for Muslim girls and women in sport."
The new swim collection will be available globally at select retailers and online from February 1.