Karlia Lykourgou and Maryam Mir launch a range of hijabs for court

Karlia Lykourgou and Maryam Mir are junior barristers who 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 Chambers.

In June 2020, Karlia launched Ivy & Normanton, the first legal outfitter specialising in court wear for women: www.ivyandnormanton.com

While discussing the company, Maryam 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 lawyer, Sana Waheed, kindly agreed to model the hijab making it a project with legal women at its heart!

• The hijab will be launched on 31st March 2021 where it will be available online through the Ivy & Normanton website.
• To celebrate the launch Ivy & Normanton are offering 10% off throughout the range for the day with Code: “I&NHIJAB”

Karlia says, “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 texture.

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.”

For enquiries regarding this story please contact Karlia Lykourgou and Maryam Mir at info@ivyandnormanton.com.