Mariah Idrissi

Mariah Idrissi is a British model, online personality, and Ambassador for Human Appeal, Human Care Syria, Islamic Relief UK, and Help Yateem. Her passion for racial equality and representation stems from her lived experience as a visibly Muslim woman of Moroccan-Pakistani heritage navigating industries historically lacking in diversity. These personal insights deeply inform her work as a speaker, where she covers wide-ranging topics including modesty in the media, cultural identity, intersectionality in professional spaces, entrepreneurship and creative innovation, and breaking barriers in media and fashion. Through her platform, she challenges stereotypes, amplifies underrepresented voices, and promotes inclusive narratives across media, fashion, and philanthropy.

Mariah’s path to becoming a globally recognised advocate began in 2015, when she made history as the first hijab-wearing model to be featured in a global campaign by H&M. That breakthrough moment brought international attention and marked a milestone for Muslim representation in fashion. Soon came collaborations with major brands such as Rihanna’s FENTY Beauty and a prominent cover feature on Emirates Woman magazine. She then expanded her influence by stepping into public speaking and consulting, using her unique position to push conversations about identity, representation, and social impact forward.

In recent years, Mariah has continued to solidify her role as a changemaker. In 2016, she delivered a TEDxTeen talk titled Changing the Face of Fashion, and the same year, joined the NHS’s social action campaign to encourage blood donation among underrepresented groups, and was nominated as Cultural Icon of the Year by The BEAM Awards. In 2018, she was recognised by the United Nations as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) and in 2019 won the Young Achiever Award at the Arabian Business Awards. Mariah has worked on Human Care Syria’s Women’s Hygiene and Sanitation project and is an Ambassador for Human Appeal, Human Care Syria, Islamic Relief UK, and Help Yateem, using her platform to support humanitarian causes and advocate for marginalised communities.

Mariah’s speaking work dives deeply into topics like media representation and cultural identity, women’s empowerment and leadership, social impact through personal branding, and humanitarian storytelling. Her intersectional lens brings a vital racial equality perspective to every engagement, highlighting the interconnected struggles of race, religion, gender, and class. Organisations hire her not only for her unique lived experience but also for her ability to connect with diverse audiences and inspire meaningful change through storytelling, media insight, and cultural diplomacy.