Fatoumata Diallo - GUINEA
Fatoumata was photographed in front of the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Shortly after this shoot she had her first Shake Shack experience.
Fatoumata has just began her first year at Baruch College. An immigrant from Guinea and follower of Islam, she never thought that when she first moved to America she would be wearing traditional clothing to class. “Because of Islamophobia I was always afraid to wear my hijab”. Like most people who move to the States, Diallo wanted nothing more than to be a typical American teenager. For her, that created a fear of being judged by her peers, especially in terms of her clothing. The dress she is pictured in is a statement piece for the eighteen year old; the first traditional outfit that she ever wore to school, and also a custom made dress. “I bought the fabric myself and I had a tailor make it for me; it’s actually the first clothing I bought with my own money, that I earned.” By wearing this outfit she overcame her fear and her confidence has grown ever since, and her style story is certainly an inspiration for all to be open to experiencing foreign cultures and traditions.