Mariah Idrissi is a renowned British model, filmmaker, and international public speaker, best known for being the first hijab-wearing model to feature in a global campaign for H&M in 2015. This breakthrough moment in the fashion industry has established her as a prominent advocate for modest fashion and diversity, earning her a unique place in the industry.
Idrissi's early life and career reflect a diverse and rich background - born to Pakistani and Moroccan parents in London, she began her journey in the limelight at the age of 14, performing alongside poets at a local theatre. Idrissi’s career in fashion took off when she was scouted by a casting agent at a shopping mall in London, leading to her groundbreaking role in H&M's campaign. This campaign, which emphasised sustainable fashion, propelled her into the international spotlight, allowing her to use her platform to advocate for inclusivity and diversity in fashion.
Throughout her career, Idrissi has achieved numerous accolades and recognitions. She was a speaker at the TEDxTeen event in 2016, where she discussed ‘Changing the Face of Fashion’. In 2017, she appeared on the cover of Emirates Woman magazine and was featured in Rihanna's FENTY beauty campaign. In 2018, she was recognised as one of the ‘Most Influential People of African Descent’ by the United Nations. Idrissi has also won the 'Young Achiever' Award at the Arabian Business Awards in 2019 and has been actively involved in humanitarian work, serving as an ambassador for charities such as 'Help Yateem' and 'Human Appeal'.
Hiring Mariah Idrissi as a speaker brings a wealth of insights and experiences, especially on topics like Modesty in the Media and the importance of charity. Idrissi’s talks offer an inspiring narrative of her journey from being scouted to becoming a global icon, highlighting her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in the fashion industry. She discusses the history and significance of modest fashion and the hijab, promoting it as a symbol of liberation. Additionally, her advocacy for charitable causes and her personal experiences in humanitarian work underscore the importance of service and giving back to the community. Idrissi’s message is powerful and relevant, encouraging audiences to embrace diversity, inclusivity, and social responsibility.
Mariah Idrissi's official speaker topics are listed below:
Modesty in the Media:
Mariah Idrissi shares her story from being scouted in a shopping mall to making headlines globally. She dives into her experiences working in the Fashion and Entertainment industry as a visibly Muslim woman addressing both highlights and challenges. As Mariah is an English and History graduate and passionate about preserving heritage and culture, she touches on modest fashion across different faiths and the purpose of the hijab. Her message promotes her choice in clothing as a symbol of liberation for women of all backgrounds.
Charity Increases Wealth:
“Charity, no matter how big or small, is an act of service and can be as simple as a smile.” Mariah has worked with a number of charities and travelled to remote villages across Africa for humanitarian causes. Her experiences from being in the middle of a civil war in Somalia to escaping an angry mob on an island near Zanzibar are ones to share. She is an active spokeswoman against violence towards women and girls and advocates for orphans. Her beliefs towards the importance of charity are rooted in teachings in her faith and wishes to share this message so more people can be consciously aware of the importance of helping others.
Breaking Barriers in Media and Fashion:
Challenging industry stereotypes and navigating representation as a hijab-wearing model.
Media Representation and Cultural Identity:
Authentic storytelling across different platforms and combating misconceptions about Muslim women.
Social Impact through Personal Branding:
Leveraging public platforms for positive change and using personal narrative to drive social dialogue.
Humanitarian Storytelling:
Documenting aid work and social causes, raising awareness through digital content.
Intersectionality in Professional Spaces:
Navigating multiple identities in creative industries and empowerment through visibility.
Ethical Fashion and Sustainability:
Modest fashion as a form of conscious consumption and environmental responsibility in the fashion industry.
Women's Empowerment and Leadership:
Breaking glass ceilings in creative industries, mentorship, and community building.
Media Production and Storytelling:
Filmmaking as a tool for social change and creating authentic narratives from underrepresented perspectives.
Cultural Diplomacy and Global Understanding:
Bridging cultural gaps through creative expression and promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
Entrepreneurship and Creative Innovation:
Building media platforms with social purpose and navigating multiple professional roles.
- 2023 - Became an ambassador for the charity 'Human Appeal'
- 2022 - Worked on the Human Care Syria's 'Women's Hygiene and Sanitation' project
- 2018 - Recognised as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) by the United Nations
- 2017 - Featured on the cover of Emirates Woman magazine
- 2017 - Participated in Rihanna's FENTY beauty campaign
- 2016 - Delivered a TEDxTeen talk on 'Changing the Face of Fashion'
- 2016 - Became part of the NHS social action campaign to encourage young donors to register and give blood
- 2015 - Gained recognition as the world's first hijab-wearing model by appearing in H&M's global campaign
- 2015 - Signed by Select Model Management, becoming the first hijab-wearing model to be signed by a major agency
How to hire Mariah Idrissi
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Mariah Idrissi for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
