Halima Aden’s name is now equated with the concept of breaking barriers and redefining beauty standards in the fashion industry. As the first hijab-wearing supermodel, she has brought inclusivity to the conversation, challenging conventional norms of modelling and inspiring other million people across the world. From a stop in a Somali refugee camp to international runways, her life is a story worth telling.
Early Life and Background
Halima Aden was born in a refugee camp in Kenya on September 19, 1997. Her parents fled there due to the ongoing civil war in Somalia, hoping to find safety and a better future. Aden’s family moved to the United States when she was only seven years old and settled in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Life was not simple for Aden, living in a community made up of mostly non-Muslims, but she always held on tight to what she knew and believed about herself and her culture.
Breaking Into the Fashion Industry
Aden first gained fame in 2016, when she became the first contestant in the 100-year history of the pageant to wear a hijab and a burkini in the Miss Minnesota competition. Though she didn’t take home the crown, she garnered attention from major fashion brands and modelling agencies for her confidence and groundbreaking representation. Shortly thereafter, she was signed by IMG Models, one of the elite modelling agencies in the world.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Halima Aden stared in Vogue, Allure, and Sports Illustrated, where she was fully covered as the first model in a hijab in its iconic swimsuit issue. Just like other popular major fashion houses like Max Mara and Yeezy, she has proved that modest fashion can run parallel to mainstream haute couture. Not only runway modelling, but she has worked with the brands like Nike and Fenty Beauty, making her also a voice that demands diversity and representation of the voices of Muslims in media and beauty and fashion.
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Impact
Apart from her fashion career, Halima Aden became well known as an unwavering advocate of refugee rights and education for refugee children. Through her platform and her role with UNICEF as an ambassador, she tried to raise consciousness regarding displaced communities and the right of every girl to education. She is a story that touches many and symbolizes hope and resilience.
In 2020, Halima Aden’s announcement to step back from runway modeling made headlines. The reason: Her faith conflicted with the demands of the industry. Back on the runway, Aden, while believing in maintaining one’s true self, encouraged model aspirants to draw their own stipulated lines. Other high fashion modeling jobs may have been left behind, but she still contributes to the industry through collaborations and speaking sessions.
Conclusion
Halima Aden breaks stereotypes and openly represents her individuality—a strong assertion which stayed carved on the runway of the fashion streets and beyond. The legacy she leaves behind shall stand tall among the histories of life for the description of women empowerment, courage, and the belief that anyone can break the barriers of this planet, so long as that anyone dares to dream beyond the stereotypical confines.
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