Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson speaks at the World Hijab Day Event.
Photo courtesy Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, in partnership with Bronx Fashion Week and Style Esteem Wardrobe, on Thursday, Feb. 5, hosted a World Hijab Day Fashion Show at Bronx Borough Hall.
Gibson, whose father hailed from Trinidad and Tobago, said the event celebrated “identity, inclusion, and community while standing in solidarity with women who wear the hijab.”
She said the event welcomed community members to engage in conversation, hear lived experiences, and watch a vibrant fashion show highlighting culture, expression, and empowerment.
Gibson said attendees also participated in an interactive “Experience the Hijab” segment, where women wore hijabs and learned firsthand about its cultural significance.
“Celebrating World Hijab Day reminds us that cultural inclusion begins with understanding,” Gibson said. “Today, Borough Hall became a safe space where women shared their stories, culture, and lived experiences, and where our community came together in respect and solidarity.
“In the Bronx, we embrace, celebrate, and protect diversity,” she added. “This spirit of unity and togetherness is what continues to move our borough forward.”
The program also featured remarks from Gibson, a panel discussion exploring the personal, cultural, and religious perspectives on the hijab, a Q&A session on myths, misconceptions, and facts, and a red carpet walk to close the celebration.
Gibson said the fashion showcase was led by Bronx Fashion Week and designer and women’s health advocate, Sonya Keshwani, founder of Style Esteem Wardrobe NYC, whose work centers on identity, dignity, and empowerment for women through fashion.
“Drawing from her own lived experience as a breast cancer survivor, Keshwani’s design reflects the intersections of personal style, resilience, and cultural pride,” Gibson said.
Partners and sponsors for the event included Emblem Health, ICNA Relief, Bronx Fashion Week, Style Esteem Wardrobe, Brittany Beauty Academy, and American Beauty School.
World Hijab Day, observed globally on Feb. 1, is dedicated to fostering religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women of all backgrounds to learn about and experience the hijab.
“Through the event, Bronx Borough Hall served as a space for education, community dialogue, and celebration of the diverse cultures that make up the Bronx community,” Gibson said.