Baloch-Canadian sisters make it to 'Vogue'

Halima and Sarah Hossinzehi, a Baloch-Canadian sister duo, have been making waves on social media and just recently, landed a story in the prestigious fashion magazine Vogue.

The two are avid basketball fans, shooting hoops regularly and now, they are doing it in style as they’ve taken it upon themselves to showcase and highlight their culture in a space that is otherwise reserved for men in their community: sports.

“I’ve played basketball since I was young. I was always a point guard and played on a team in high school,” Halima told Vogue, with Sarah pointing out how she would do anything Halima did. They also dabbled in rugby and volleyball during their high school years.  

Talking about their vision behind their photos, that feature Halima and Sarah in traditional Baloch clothing on the basketball court, the former said, “I feel like a lot of Middle Eastern and South Asian communities can relate to me in the sense that boys are promoted a lot more than the girls are - especially when it comes to playing sports and being engaged in healthy, active living.”

Seeing how the space has largely been devoid of women, and being in the game themselves, Halima and Sarah decided to bring their culture to the court itself. They then adorned themselves in traditional dresses featuring the classic doch embroidery that is key to Baloch culture, and set out to look for a court to shoot in. “Baloch embroidery has been around for a really long time. Most of the pieces are typically handmade,” revealed Halima.

The photos have been taken by Sarah’s husband, Mustafa Mureed, and were directly inspired by Instagram user Mas Baloushi, she added. Finding a suitable basketball court wasn’t that easy and so, the court background was added digitally but the end result was just as impactful.

Of course, the pair don’t take to the court in traditional Baloch wear regularly. “In Baloch culture, there are certain clothes you wear to bed, there are certain clothes you wear out, or to a funeral. Sports are not as popular with Baloch women, so we don’t really have clothing for sports,” Halima expressed.

Their photo-series seems to be having quite the effect, having garnered thousands of likes. “We’ve had people reach out from like, Hong Kong, and say, ‘Hey, I’m Baloch too!'” said Sarah.

“Not all Baloch people look the same. There are some from northern Iran, or there’re some who are from more of an African descent, from Tanzania,” Halima added, expressing joy at contributing to a positive representation of Baloch people.

“A lot of people don’t know who we are as Baloch people. We’re people with a lack of voice on social media and in society in general. I wanted to be like, ‘I am Baloch, I am a girl and I play basketball. I may come from a background that is voiceless, but I do have a voice’,” she concluded.

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