Burkini / Burqini is a two-piece swimwear with a head covering worn by Muslim women for swimming. The term is a combination of Burqa and Bikini.
Total body coverage given by this dress makes this a favorite of women of the Islamic faith who wants to maintain their modesty and at the same time be active in sports.
Aheda Zanetti designed this modest Muslim swimwear in 2004.
Traditionally Muslim women wear a loose dress that covers them from head to toe; it is usually voluminous, and a head covering is also worn. Burqini, which is made of swimsuit material, looks like a wetsuit with a head covering and covers the body from head to toe. Still, at the same time, it is less voluminous than the traditional clothes of Arabian women.
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The company owned by Zanetti ‘Ahiida’ owns the trademarks to the terms Burkini and Burqini.
But nowadays, these terms have come to represent modest Islamic sportswear/ swimwear all around the world.
Burquini became internationally famous after the french government banned Burkini clad women from the beach.
A highly debated controversy followed this ban. The ban was a result of a feeling that the burkini somehow represented the oppression of the Islamic faith.
How burkini came into being
Burkini was born due to the designer’s frustration in finding suitably modest sportswear for her niece, who wanted to play netball in Australia.
She first invented Hijood, a stretchy head covering which lies close to the neck and head. This gave a lot of freedom of movement in sports and other activities. The designer then went on to design the Burkini. This two-piece swim wear was a lifeline for Muslim women who refused to wear the usual revealing swimwear available in the market, designed for the more liberal western culture.
Her design has given a lot of women of the Muslim faith freedom to go about and participate in sports and activities without sacrificing their modesty or faith. For some women, very modest clothing may be a religious obligation. They have no choice but to accept, but many women of the Islamic faith wear modest clothing for their own free will and happiness, and for them, this dress has become a symbol of freedom.
Other than Muslims, people from other walks of life, like women with body issues who want to wear less revealing clothes but enjoy swimming and those of other religions and geographical locations who dress modestly, have found the Burkini a blessing.
Further reading :
Article in theguardian.com which has an interview by the creator of Burqini
Related posts : Different types of swimwear for women; Different types of Arabian traditional clothing for women ; Tutorial for sewing Hijab
