To take a break from science and to show that Muslims were diverse both in who they are and what they accomplished, I decided to talk about Abu l-Hasan ‘Ali Ibn Nafi‘, commonly nicknamed as Ziryab (789-857).
Ziryab had a lasting influence on fashion. He created sophisticated styles of clothing based on the season and the time of day. The winter costumes designed by Ziryab were of dark colors, made from warm cotton, wool, and he also introduced velvet. His summer garments were made of cool and light materials, such as cotton, silk and flax, in light and bright colors. The brilliant colors for these clothes were produced in the advanced tanneries and dye works of the Muslim world. Ziryab started a vogue by changing clothes according to the weather and season. He suggested different clothing for mornings, afternoons and evenings.
He created a new type of deodorant and also promoted morning and evening baths and emphasized the maintenance of personal hygiene. Ziryab is thought to have invented an early toothpaste and introduced the use of salt and fragrant oils to improve the hair’s condition.
