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'It's about freedom': Ban boosts burkini sales 'by 200%' 'It's about freedom': Ban boosts burkini sales 'by 200%'
(35 minutes later)
The Australian woman credited with creating the burkini says bans on the full-bodied Islamic swimsuit in France have boosted sales.The Australian woman credited with creating the burkini says bans on the full-bodied Islamic swimsuit in France have boosted sales.
The clothing - which combines "burqa" with "bikini" - leaves only the face, hands and feet on show.The clothing - which combines "burqa" with "bikini" - leaves only the face, hands and feet on show.
Authorities in several French towns have banned the garment, arguing it defies laws on secularism. Aheda Zanetti, who claims the trademark on the name burkini and burqini, said online sales were up by 200%
The debate is particularly sensitive in France after a series of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists. The 48-year-old Sydney woman said the swimsuits represented freedom and healthy living - not oppression.
"Our online sales have gone up by 200%," said Aheda Zanetti, who claims the trademark on the name burkini and burqini.
The mayor's of Cannes ruling
The 48-year-old Sydney woman said the swimsuits were designed to represent freedom and healthy living - not oppression.
"No man in this entire world can tell us what to wear or what not to wear," she said.
"When I was designing the burkini I was reading about France banning the hijab in schools to discourage the growth of Islam."
The original intention behind the garment was to allow Muslim women to participate in the Australian beach lifestyle.
"I wanted my girls to grow up to have that freedom of choice," she said.
"I don't care if they want to have a bikini. It's their choice."
She said that any banning of the burkini represented outdated thinking and that women were the ones making the decision to buy the swimwear.
"I'm an Aussie chick, I've been here all my life," she said."I'm an Aussie chick, I've been here all my life," she said.
"I know what hijab means. I know what veil means. I know what Islam means. And I know who I am.""I know what hijab means. I know what veil means. I know what Islam means. And I know who I am."
The mayor of Cannes' ruling
Ms Zanetti said the original intention behind the garment was to allow Muslim women to participate in the Australian beach lifestyle.
"I wanted my girls to grow up to have that freedom of choice," she said.
"I don't care if they want to have a bikini. It's their choice.
"No man in this entire world can tell us what to wear or what not to wear."
She said the design was partially inspired by reports of France banning the hijab in schools to discourage the growth of Islam.
Authorities in several French towns have banned the garment, arguing it defies laws on secularism.
The debate is particularly sensitive in France after a series of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists.