Sports Illustrated’s famous burkini cover: why US model Halima Aden wears a hijab – and 4 other things about the Unicef ambassador
Halima Aden is a world-famous model who stands out for a number of reasons. Read on to get to know why this fascinating woman has gained so much international attention.
She got off to a rough start in life
Halima Aden’s parents were forced to flee their native Somalia after her mother’s village was burnt to the ground. Aden was born in a UN refugee camp in northeastern Kenya, where food insecurity was the norm. They were able to emigrate to the United States when Halima was seven years old.
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Her career is credited with many ‘firsts’
Aden was the first contestant in the Miss USA pageant to wear a burkini (a modest bathing suit) and a hijab (the head covering worn by Muslim women). She later became the first hijab-wearing model to be signed to a major agency (IMG), walk an international runway, and be featured on the cover of Vogue Arabia, Allure and British Vogue. She was also the first model to wear a burkini and hijab for Sports Illustrated.
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Wearing the hijab is non-negotiable
As a devout Muslim, Aden wears a hijab and states that it is a non-negotiable part of any contract. She will not uncover her head for any job, under any conditions. And while there are fashion companies that won’t give her work, standing up for what she believes in hasn’t harmed her career in the long term, and she is credited with promoting diversity in the fashion industry.
She has her own clothing line
Aden has partnered with Turkish clothing company Modanisa to create a 27-piece collection of shawls, turbans and hijabs. Aden says the collection, which debuted at Istanbul’s Modest Fashion Week in April 2019, is designed to appeal to Muslim and non-Muslim women alike.
She is devoted to humanitarian work
Aden is alive today because of the work of an international humanitarian organisation, so it’s not surprising that the 22-year-old puts a premium on humanitarian work. She became a Unicef ambassador in 2018, and one of her main goals is advocating for children’s rights. She hopes to one day return to the refugee camp where she was born to help the children there get good jobs. She is also a vocal advocate for Muslim women’s rights.
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Aden is an inspiration to everyone. Her challenging start in life, and refusal to compromise on her beliefs, has inspired women of all ages and walks of life. Her career is in its infancy, leaving her poised to continue making headlines and setting precedents as she works to showcase her natural beauty while making it clear that there is no one set standard to which a “beautiful” woman must conform.
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A devout Muslim and the first contestant in the Miss USA pageant to wear a burkini, Halima Aden also has her own clothing line and puts a premium on humanitarian work