Karlia Lykourgou and Maryam Mir, barristers at Doughty Street Chambers in London, have developed a hijab for Muslim advocates who struggle to find the right legal attire to wear in court.

They first met in 2006 at the University of Leeds, where they studied law. Their paths diverged until they began working together as criminal barristers at Doughty Street.

In June 2020, Ms Lykourgou launched Ivy & Normanton, the first legal outfitter specialising in court wear for women. 

Ms Mir suggested Ivy & Normanton develop a range of hijabs for Muslim women at the bar and explained the difficulties she experienced finding a hijab that was the right size, shape, colour, thickness, texture and design for court.

They considered fabrics and settled on organic bamboo silk as a sustainable option that ticked all the boxes.

Their instructing solicitor, Sana Waheed, modelled the hijab.

Ms Lykourgou said: “To keep encouraging diversity at the bar we have to make sure those who don’t fit the white, male stereotype have the tools they need, so other young people can see them and believe they have a place in the profession too.

“It seemed ridiculous to me that Maryam, as a busy and brilliant barrister, should lose any time trying to find something as simple as a hijab for court that’s the right size, shape, colour and design.

“The I&N hijab was developed so other women could easily find a piece of clothing that expresses their identity as a Muslim and an advocate, and get on with the job.”

Ms Mir said: “It used to be the case that there was so little accommodation in the legal professional clothing market for women generally and that was indicative of the fact that women generally were not fairly represented at the bar.

“Women now make up almost 50 per cent of the bar and the diversity stats are slowly improving as people wake up to the multiple layers of discrimination women face in their professional careers.”

She added: “The message I want to send is universal, not just to Muslim women: it’s time for the professional world to celebrate all people in all facets of their identity. You do not have to compromise who you are to succeed. Don’t let anyone dictate what you should look or sound like. Be true to yourself and confident in your identity and success will come to you.”

The hijab launches today and is available on the Ivy & Normanton website. To celebrate the launch, Ivy & Normanton is offering 10 per cent off throughout the range for the day with the code “I&NHIJAB”.