Afronista Spotlight: Taking Headgear Lessons From Yassmin Abdel-Magied
When it concerns headgear, not everyone can figure out what suits them. But, here’s a proposition, how about taking a couple of headgear lessons from Yassmin Abdel-Magied. She is a beautiful, smart, and hardworking woman who is known not just for her looks, boldness, media presence, or controversial opinions but also for her stylish and pretty headgears.
Whenever Yassmin Abdel-Magied makes an entrance, one of the first things that you will see is her stylish headgear. But what is Yassmin’s obsession with headgears and how did it all begin? Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to learn a thing or two about headgears from our Afronista spotlight.
Who is Yassmin Abdel-Magied?
Yassmin Abdel-Magied is an expatriate Sudanese-Australian media presenter, mechanical engineer, writer, and activist who campaigns for tolerance and diversity. She was named Young Queenslander of the year in 2010 and Queensland Australian of the Year in 2015 for her engagement in community work.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied is known for being straightforward and fearless earning her quite a couple of enemies. She globally challenged the orthodox view of gender in Islam, spurring a global conversation about being a young black Muslim woman in the West today.
Online Threats
After her comments about Sharia law on TV and a social media post on Anzac Day, she was widely attacked in Australian media. Some people went as far as demanding that she gets fired from ABC TV. This was followed by numerous death threats on social media.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied Early Life and Education
Yassmin Abdel-Magied attended primary school at the Islamic College of Brisbane and the independent Christian high school John Paul College. She studied mechanical engineering at the University of Queensland, graduating with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, with First Class Honors. Consequently, she went on to work as one of the few female engineers on oil and gas rigs around Australia.
However, as time went on, she decided to settle for writing and broadcasting. Interestingly, Yassmin was a race car driver during her days at the university, she even designed her own race car and raced on behalf of her school. Also, she trained for 5 years to become a boxer.
Venturing into Media
It wasn’t long after her adventure into broadcasting, Yassmin Abdel-Magied became a television icon. On TV, Yassmin was the presenter for the national current affairs show, Australia Wide. She hosted the ground-breaking documentary The Truth About Racism and created Hijabistas. The latter is a series looking at the modest fashion scene in Australia.
Additionally, she is a regular news and current affairs commentator on The BBC, Aljazeera, Monocle 24. Also, she is a presenter on various BBC World Service radio programs. Yassmin has also hosted numerous podcasts, including Motor Mouth (on becoming a Formula 1 driver), EY’s Better Questions (helping CEOs lead into the future), and The Guilty Feminist.
Awards and Achievements
Yassmin Abdel-Magied has acquired a lot of experience over the years that can be seen in her works and action. She founded Youth Without Borders. A decade later, she started Mumtaza which focuses on women of color. She is a recipient of multiple awards. This includes the 2018 Young Voltaire Award for Free Speech, FYA’s Changemaker of the Year in 2017, and Queensland Young Australian of the Year in 2015.
Part of Something Bigger
She has previously served on the Boards of the Queensland Museum and the Australian Multicultural Council. Yassmin was also Head of Media for the Australian Youth G20 Summit. She was made the Gender Ambassador for the Inter-American Development Bank and a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering Global Challenges Steering Committee. In all her work, Yassmin is an advocate for transformative justice and a fairer, safer world for all.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied Iconic Headgear Appearances
If you are a sucker for headgear, Yassmin Abdel-Magied is one of the celebrities that you should be following. She manages to pull off incredible knots using a variety of materials. Below are some of her appearances that caught our attention.
Yassmin must have a special place where she orders such beautiful fabric from. She seems to know what suits her too. Wrapping this tough but beautifully embroidered cloth around her hair severally, while leaving a couple of strands from the rough edges of the fabric to fall on the left side of her face, is definitely the look for those who want to blend casual and official look.
This tie and dye multicolored silk fabric is very pretty with a sensual touch to it. Yassmin wraps the scarf from back to front, ending in a complex bow. Could be used to complement a bikini or sleeveless dress. Also, for dinner or clubbing, this headgear would do the trick.
Here is a beautifully embroidered blue fabric, nicely knotted directly on the top of the head. The wrap highlighted her features, further exposing her beauty. One thing is obvious here. When done right, headscarves can change the contour of your face and enhance your look.
Twist and wrap
A stretchy headwrap is the right choice if you intend to cover your hair completely and still look chic. It appears like several styles merged in one. This multicolored wrap mixed with beautiful embroidery just makes it look even more glamorous. Yassmin wears it quite beautifully too.
Beige has a way of making things look soft smooth and gentle. A stretchy headwrap of fine beige and silver knotted together certainly says it is time for business. Remember, the more wrapper there is to go around the better. This must be one of Yassmin’s favorites because you will see more of this style in different colors.
Top knot
Wrapped around the head and neatly knotted to stand tall, this brown turban on its own speaks volumes. Jada Pinkett Smith actually rocked a similar headwrap during one of her interviews. Looking at Yassmin, it seems everyone needs to give it a shot.
More twist and wrap
There’s never enough pink for it to be too pinky. Yassmin definitely knows that. This light see through fabric of beige and light pink sure compliments all the bright colors around her. Obviously, your headgear should be part of your fashion.
More top knot
This tergal green turban wrapped to form a knot at the front of the head feel like a crown. It looks simple but we can bet it would take you a long time to perfect. Don’t forget to wear it with a bold smile like Yassmin Abdel-Magied and you will surely be irresistible.
Complex wraps
Some things are just astonishing to behold such that you lack the words to express how you feel. This Yellow and light blue turban is one of such sights. It’s really hard to explain how to knot this. Perhaps, you can give it a try and explain the process in the comment box below.
Behold this very pretty red scarf wrapped carefully to fully expose the design and beads in all their beauty. No need for words. Just feast your eyes and imagine this heardscarf idea on that new outfit you just bought.
Expressing oneself can be done in several ways. Through our speech, clothes, shoes, and in Yassmin’s case, headgear. What are you trying to say? The choice is yours. You can be subtle or loud. In this case the message is sutle yet strong. I am a woman of class, strength, beauty, and many hidden gifts. The headwrap here resembles the gele which is famous among Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria.
Every Woman wears a headgear at one point in her life—whether as a child or an adult. The difference is in how you wear it. Knowing how to wrap a beautifully designed scarf to form a knot is no child’s play. But as soon as you succeed, you realize it was worth the hassle.
African touch
The beautiful design on this turban is similar to the one Gabrielle Union and her daughter had during a photoshoot at their mansion. It is usually a mash of two different fabrics. The blend is cool and nice. The big question is, can you rock it as perfectly as Yassmin?
Bold and beautiful is what comes to mind at the sight of this image. The checkered fabric is typical of African print. Yassmin Abdel-Magied does something phenominal by matching her dress with her headgear. This is one of the easiest headgear style you can learn from Yassmin.
Some colors just make you feel warm on the inside like on the outside. This headwrap makes it easier for every other piece to fall in place. Like saying the story is now complete. This is yet another simple headgear wrap worn over animal print.
Conclusion
Just like Yassmin, if your plan is to keep your beautiful hair covered at all times or even occasionally for whatsoever reason, any of these beautifully arranged headgear styles will do the trick. Guess you now know that it is possible to match your dress and headgear and still look cool. Which of her headgear style stood out for you? Let us know in the comment box below.
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