PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A woman from West Philadelphia is revolutionizing the way Black women embrace life’s adventures without cutting themselves.
These are no ordinary head wraps or turbans. A fusion of fashion and functionality, a fusion of taste and practicality.
Khadijah Robinson offers a solution to a common dilemma for black women: how to swim, exercise, or do anything that involves getting wet or sweaty without compromising your hairstyle. We have created AQUA waterproof headwear.
“We spend so much time and money on our hair that it’s frustrating just to make a life decision where you don’t want to get your hair wet,” Robinson said. “You don’t have to run from the rain or sit at a water park or a pool. Based on that complaint alone, I said there has to be a better way.”
Robinson earned a degree in marketing from Temple University’s acclaimed Fox School of Business and leveraged that expertise. In 2014, she began creating a remarkable line of hard hats meticulously designed with Black women in mind.
“It had to be stylish,” Robinson said. “It’s waterproof, breathable, stretchy and a completely unique product that fits us perfectly.”
However, the journey from idea to reality was not an easy one.
Robinson says it took more than three years to innovate the perfect prototype and patent her work.
“This is our waterproof tanning pan,” Robinson said. “People wear it in the pool, in the water, in the shower.”
But it was a serendipitous moment in 2021 that confirmed Robinson had created something special.
While hiking in Maryland, she happened upon a loose tag from one of her head wraps.
“I literally resigned,” Robinson said. “There it was. I couldn’t believe it.”
Since then, AQUA has been featured on QVC and Empower Global (the e-commerce platform founded by Diddy), and Robinson is currently in talks with Target.
“It means a lot to be a Black woman-owned business,” Robinson said. “From an early age, I knew I wanted to do something to motivate people, uplift the community, and create jobs.”
And she’s committed to local, making all of her products in New Jersey.
“It’s possible. You can dream,” Robinson said. “I can come up with an idea and make it happen.”
Aziza Shuler
