Halima Aden, a Somali-born model, is a pioneer in breaking barriers in the international fashion industry.
Halima Aden first appeared as a professional model when she was featured on the cover of CR Fashion Book in 2017. This was a major turning point in her career, coming right after Halima made a splash by becoming a contestant wearing a hijab (traditional headscarf for Muslim women) and a burkini (a combination of the words "burqa" and "bikini" is a swimsuit specially designed for Muslim women, covering almost the entire body).
Renowned fashion editor Carine Roitfeld, founder of CR Fashion Book and former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, took particular notice of Halima for her diverse message and unique style. Roitfeld chose Halima as the cover girl for a special issue focusing on religion and fashion, breaking down many stereotypes about the role of Muslim women in the industry.
In the photo series, Halima proudly wears the hijab and shows off her incredible confidence, becoming a new icon in the integration of faith and fashion. These images not only received acclaim from critics but also caught the attention of major magazines and famous brands, paving the way for her international modeling career.
Halima then signed with modeling agency IMG Models, landing major advertising campaigns and appearing on global runways such as New York Fashion Week.
violent childhood
Halima Aden was born on September 19, 1997 in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, where her family lived after fleeing the civil war in Somalia.
In 2004, when Halima was only 7 years old, her family was approved for resettlement in the United States.
At first, Halima struggled to adjust to her new life. She did not speak English and faced major cultural differences. However, Halima quickly learned to adapt thanks to the support of her mother – a strong and persistent woman. Her mother always reminded Halima of the importance of education and encouraged her to dream big.
In interviews, Halima has repeatedly cited her mother as her biggest inspiration in life. "My mother worked tirelessly to raise me. She taught me that I can do anything as long as I put my heart into it," Halima told CNN Style.
Growing up in the United States, Halima faced pressure to assimilate into the culture while maintaining the Muslim values and traditions her family held dear. Wearing a hijab at school made her the target of discrimination and teasing from some of her peers.
However, Halima did not let the insults discourage her. Instead, she used it as motivation to fight for acceptance and understanding of Muslim culture. "I have always been proud of who I am and never let anyone make me feel inferior just because I am different," she told The Guardian.
Halima showed leadership qualities from an early age. In high school, she participated in many extracurricular activities and held leadership roles in several student organizations. She was particularly interested in community issues and regularly participated in volunteer programs.
In 2016, while a student at St. Cloud State University, Halima decided to enter the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. It was a bold move, knowing that the sight of a contestant wearing a hijab and a burkini on stage would attract a lot of attention. However, Halima saw it as an opportunity to break stereotypes and inspire young Muslim women around the world. Halima became the first Muslim woman to be elected homecoming queen at her high school. In college, Halima was also the first person of Somali descent to serve as a student representative. These “firsts” motivated her to continue breaking boundaries and seeking new opportunities. In 2016, Halima entered the Miss Minnesota USA beauty pageant and became the first contestant to wear a hijab and a burkini in the history of the pageant.
Journey into the fashion village
Although she did not win Miss Minnesota USA, Halima made a strong impression. CR Fashion Book magazine featured her on the cover – an event that marked the beginning of Halima’s modeling career even though she was not signed to any agency. The uniqueness and strong message that Halima brought caught the attention of IMG Models – one of the world’s leading talent agencies. She quickly became the first hijab-wearing model to sign with them.
Since then, Halima has appeared on major runways like New York Fashion Week and worked with prestigious brands like Max Mara, Alberta Ferretti, and Tommy Hilfiger. Halima has not only represented Muslim fashion, but has also pushed for change in the way the industry views cultural diversity. For example, Tommy Hilfiger designed a headscarf for Halima in a show, showing respect and inclusion.
Halima Aden has always upheld her religious and cultural values throughout her career. When superstar singer Kanye West invited her to model for his Yeezy collection, Halima declined because the outfit did not conform to Islamic standards. However, Kanye later changed the design to meet her requirements. Halima also requested a private changing area backstage during shows, which has gradually become accepted by the fashion industry.
She is not afraid to challenge conventional norms. In an interview, Halima shared that when she returned to the Miss Minnesota USA pageant a year later, there were seven other contestants wearing hijab. This shows the influence and inspiration she brings to the Muslim community.
Retirement
In 2020, Halima Aden announced her retirement from modeling, citing the industry’s values as conflicting with her religious beliefs. The decision was supported by many celebrities, including singer Rihanna and supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid. Although she is no longer active in the fashion industry, Halima continues to be an inspirational symbol of representation, diversity, and self-reliance.
After Halima Aden announced her retirement from modeling in November 2020, the decision sparked a widespread discussion in the fashion industry and society, focusing on issues of diversity, inclusion, and personal boundaries in the profession.
Halima Aden announced that she was leaving the modelling industry because she felt she could no longer continue her work while maintaining her personal and religious values. She said that the pressures of her job forced her to compromise principles of her Islamic faith, such as wearing inappropriate clothing or a headscarf during photo shoots. Halima said these were the moments when she “lost herself”.
Halima’s decision has received strong support from the public, especially Muslims, with young women feeling inspired by her courage and honesty. On social media, many hailed her as a symbol of determination and asserted that her actions sent a strong message about putting mental health and personal values above career.
Halima Aden’s decision has also sparked debate in the fashion industry about the treatment of minority models. Many critics say that while fashion is trying to promote diversity, it does not fully support models in maintaining their individual identities.
Halima also admitted that she did not blame any brands or designers, but felt responsible for the compromises. However, this shows the need to create an environment where models from different cultures can work without having to compromise their values, according to The Guardian.
Despite retiring from her career, Halima Aden continues to have a strong influence, not only in the fashion community but also in discussions about women's rights, cultural diversity and mental health.
Source: https://daidoanket.vn/halima-aden-vien-ngoc-somalia-10301392.html
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