Meet Halima Aden, The Hijab-wearing Fashion Model Everyone Is Talking About

This season’s New York Fashion Week has been about breaking boundaries. From political statements made through clothes, to plus size models such as Ashley Graham gracing the catwalk. Yesterday during Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 5 presentation, another boundary was broken.
19-year old Somali-American fashion model Halima Aden was featured in the show clad in a fur coat. The Hijab-wearing model made her runway debut in front of an elite fashion crowd including Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

Aden walking for Yeezy season 5 during New York Fashion Week

Aden was born in a refugee camp in Kenya. She’s a first-generation Somali-American and is currently a freshman at Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota. She signed to IMG Models after making headlines for competing in Hijab at her state’s Miss USA pageant last year. She became the first woman to wear her traditional Muslim headpiece during the entire competition, also opting to wear a burkini for the swimsuit round.

Aden photographed by Mario Sorrenti for CR Fashion Book 10

She’s certainly headed for big things. After all, Kanye’s Yeezy shows attract a mammoth of attention and press. She has also gotten big support from former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld who has already featured her in the latest issue of CR Fashion Book 10 which hits shelves in March. Ms. Roifeld helped launch the careers of many models such as Gigi Hadid. As if that’s not enough, Aden is represented by IMG Models, the same agency representing Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, Alek Wek, Ashley Graham and more.

Another win for the hijabista movement!

satisfashionug@gmail.com