Nike’s New Swim Collection Includes a Hijab and Bodysuit for Modest Women
Beyond pure physical stimulus, what sets swimming and aquatic sports apart is the singular sensation of connecting with water: the freedom of weightlessness, the meditative clarity of the life aquatic, the bliss of full-body fluidity. It is with this same spirit of boundless possibility that Nike introduces the Nike Victory Swim Collection.
The collection, which includes the Nike Victory Full-Coverage Swimsuit, along with swim separate options—the Nike Victory Swim Hijab, the Nike Victory Swim Tunic Top and the Nike Victory Swim Leggings—brings performance innovation to modest swimwear. Its sleek, innovative silhouette provides a game-changing option for female athletes seeking full coverage and full range of motion in the water.
Nouf Alosaimi, Saudi Arabia’s first female technical diver, believes that the Nike Victory Swim Collection can help bring more women into water-based activities. “Most of the girls I meet are reluctant to swim or scuba dive because of their modesty preferences and they find it difficult finding the right modest solution,” says Alosaimi. “I believe this suit will cater to many women who wish to perform water sports without any reservations, as it truly serves the purpose of modesty with a loose fit. Now, I can invite more girls into diving and swimming and they can enjoy the sport without concerns.”
“What I first noticed when I went swimming in this outfit was that my hijab stayed on,” says Malaysian inclusive-fashion advocate Arinna Wira, who enjoys swimming for pleasure. “It was intact and did not come up at all.”
“The suit doesn’t just soak in all the water, it’s the opposite,” says Emirati professional figure skater Zahra Lari. “It’s almost like the water just falls off whenever you come out of the pool. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Inspiration for the collection began with athletes’ passionate responses to the Nike Pro Hijab—and Nike designers’ determination to continue innovating for athletes of all backgrounds, body types, abilities and aspirations. As designers continued learning from athletes across diverse communities, they saw a striking gap in apparel for water sports—specifically, a lack of options for female athletes who don’t want to choose between modesty and movement with comfort and confidence. Existing products were lacking in either coverage or functionality, athletes shared, leaving them feeling weighted down by baggy garments, battling drag instead of striving toward personal bests or worrying about whether their hijabs and coverings would remain in place.
Too often, athletes said, swimwear presented a barrier, rather than a conduit, to enjoying the water. “The more we listened, the more possibility we saw to serve female athletes in new dimensions,” says Martha Moore, Nike Creative Director, VP. “As we continue broadening our vision for innovation, we’re excited to inspire more women to see themselves in sport by thinking creatively and designing inclusively. To us, Nike Victory Swim Collection shows the power of innovation to invite all women to discover the joy of sport.”
Constructed from warp-knit fabric, the Nike Victory Swim Collection is lightweight, breathable and quick-drying. The head-to-toe UPF 40+ rating offers additional benefits for athletes seeking sun protection. Both the Nike Victory Full-Coverage Swimsuit and the Nike Victory Swim Tunic Top feature a built-in sports bra with perforated cups. Similar to the top, the Nike Victory Swim Leggings reflect a streamlined yet modest silhouette that enables speed and agility without excessive cling. The Swim Hijab features an integrated mesh pocket that holds hair in place throughout underwater movement—much to the amazement of every athlete who tested Nike Victory Swim.
The Nike Victory Swim Collection is available February 1 on nike.com and at select retailers globally.
