People from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds — including Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, Black Hebrew Israelites, Orthodox Christians, African Spiritualists — gathered on Sept. 25 in Dearborn, Michigan, outside of Detroit, for an international and interfaith celebration of the global art of head-wrapping.
Created by Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, the Headwrap Expo and Fashion Show presented by Beautifully Wrapped seeks to celebrate head wraps, geles, hijabs, turbans, and all kinds of head coverings, and also to bring together, inspire, and empower the women and men who wear them, according to its founder.
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"We now live in a society where fear and negative assumptions of others run rampant,” Zarinah El-Amin Naeem told NBC News. “I started the Headwrap Expo as a way to explore the rich intersection of fashion and faith and to create an experience that is mind-expanding, enlightening, and entertaining.”
The event featured fashion shows with different designers, workshops and tutorials on different styling methods, interfaith seminars exploring spiritual and cultural topics, photography exhibitions, Beautifully Wrapped calendars, shopping, and more, according to organizers.
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“As a cultural anthropologist, I'm interested in exploring cross-cultural phenomenon that people of inner groups often claim to be their own,” Naeem said. “Thus this expo uses the headwrap to celebrate alternative forms of beauty, modest beauty, as well as serve as a glue that can hold the sometimes fragmented segments of our community together.”
Organizers said that proceeds will go to support Enliven Your Soul for Global Enhancement.
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Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that proceeds from the event will go to 10,000 Girls. The proceeds are expected to go to Enliven Your Soul for Global Enhancement.