Wehbe listed among ‘stereotype-shattering Muslim women’

CAIRO: Lebanese pop sensation and style icon Haifa Wehbe figured among Marie Claire magazine’s list of 10 Muslim women that shatter stereotypes. Wehbe, 39, was included in a feature article titled “10 Muslim Women Shatter Stereotypes by Showing Off Their Style” published this week.
Marie Claire rounded up 10 Muslim women who shatter stereotypes “in very chic ways, and stand up for their autonomy every time they get dressed.” The list also features entrepreneur Lilly Ghallichi, style blogger Zahra Sandberg, photographer and blogger Irene Mahmud Khan, and the face behind HipsterHijabis.com Summer Albarcha, among others.
Marie Claire said Wehbe has faced a lot of backlash for her outfit choices, particularly after she appeared on an episode of the show Arab Star Academy.
“I wore what I considered to be a quite modest long black dress but was surprised and hurt by the negative comments that followed my performance — some of the comments bordered on threats,” she told Marie Claire.
“But my fans were very vocal on social media and highlighted that in comparison to many high profile celebrities in the West, my fashion choice was quite unassuming.”
For Wehbe, “fashion is very personal. It’s a way for me to express my individual identity.”