<p>Model Halima Aden has put a break on runways shows after reflecting on how was being portrayed by the western fashion industry.</p>

<p>The 23-year-old model shared a series of childhood photos, fashion campaigns and photoshoots she had been involved in that made her feel pressured to compromise her religious beliefs, namely her decision to wear the hijab, for her career. Aden&nbsp;is a Somali-American&nbsp;Muslim, who fled Kenya as a child and was raised in Minnesota.</p>

<p>"I wish I never stopped bringing my black hijab to set," she wrote in one photograph of herself wearing a black hijab. "Because the minute I got comfortable... well let's just say I got too carried away."<br />
<br />
<img alt="Halima" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4c60c5de-07e9-4797-9299-1c84877f7874" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/halima4.JPG" /></p>

<p>Aden took to her Instagram stories and described her experience as a model wearing a hijab.</p>

<p>"But... this isn't even my style?? Never was. Why did I allow them to put jeans on my head when at the time I had only ever worn skirts and long dresses?" she wrote over a photo of her American Eagle campaign.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Halima" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0afb1fc-354e-495e-a260-00d973a44f57" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/halima5.JPG" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="halima" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fd2713b7-899c-40dc-8bf9-6dff69779d8d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/halima5_0.JPG" /><br />
Aden was the first woman to wear a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant and later became the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/halima-aden-becomes-first-hijab-wearing-model-on-british-vogue-cover-127762">first hijab-wearing model at many runway shows across the globe.</a> She has also appeared on numerous magazine covers and style campaigns.</p>

<p>She even made history as the first to wear a hijab and a burkini in Sports Illustrated's 2019 Swimsuit Issue.</p>

<p>For a 2017 photoshoot&nbsp;for Glamour where she wore a green wrap under her hijab and feathers around her neck, she wrote,&nbsp;"I went back to my hotel room and just sobbed after this shoot because deep down I knew this wasn't it. But was too scared to speak up. Also very common struggle when you are the FIRST to do something. Like what was that hideous green grass thing on my head?"<br />
<br />
<img alt="Halima" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0cacbc7d-8684-4812-bb68-18a43c1c7201" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/halima7.JPG" /></p>

<p>Aden said it was the coronavirus pandemic that allowed her time to reflect on the career choices she was making, writing, "As I've said many times being a minority inside of a minority inside of a minority is never easy."</p>

<p>"Being a "Hijabi" is truly a journey with lots of highs &amp; lows," she continued. "With that said my hooyo macaan (mother) has been pleading with me for years to open my eyes. Thanks to Covid &amp; the break away from the industry I have finally realized where I went wrong in my personal hijab journey."</p>

<p>"My mom asked me to quit modeling a LONG time ago," Aden wrote in a post honouring her mother, Rukia Ahmed Aden. "I wish I wasn't so defensive. Sis was literally the only person who had the purest intentions for me. The advice she gave me was "DEEN over Dunya." And her stance has never once changed."<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Aden said that the desperation for representation made her&nbsp;pursuee&nbsp;more jobs in the industry.</p>

<p>The model took her mother's advice, writing, "My mom said "go correct it, you were good and blessed before fashion. THEY came to YOU. What are you scared of? Correct the mistake you made Publicly.. PUBLICALLY."</p>

<p>She continued, "I never felt more free &amp; relieved. God damn Somali moms are so stubborn like why she wait all these years to say that! But also thank you Covid because being home with her has put back so much into perspective. I'm not rushing back to FASHION."</p>

<p>Aden did credit one fashion campaign that made her feel accepted. Appreciating Rihanna's Fenty campaign she shared a photo&nbsp;and wrote, "This was my 1st ever fashion campaign &amp; it was thanks to @badgalriri. Sis let me wear the HIJAB I brought to set. This is the girl I'm returning to. The real HALIMA."<br />
<br />
<img alt="Halima" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="599738d8-552b-4147-bfdf-1157ee11f39e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/halima.JPG" /></p>

<p>The model shared photos of what she wanted her future opportunities in fashion to look like, sharing a photo of herself in a yellow hijab, writing, "If my hijab can't be this visible – I'm not showing up. Period."</p>

<p>In another photo of herself playing with a child, Aden wrote, "And never skipping my prayer time! Fashion can wait. My DEEN can not."</p>

<p>Following her series of reflective posts, Aden's announcement was met with an array of support from celebrities, including Naomi Campbell and Gigi Hadid.</p>

<p>"Proud of you for staying true to your integrity," Campbell, 50, wrote under a post on Aden's Instagram, per CNN. "You are true light and joy since knowing you. And I hope our paths will cross in another capacity, keep rising and shining."</p>

<p>Hadid, 25, similarly praised Aden and her decision, writing on her respective Instagram Story, "It is so important, as a hijabi or not, to self reflect and get back on track with what feels genuine to us - It's the only way to feel truly fulfilled."</p>


Model Halima Aden has put a break on runways shows after reflecting on how was being portrayed by the western fashion industry. The 23-year-old model shared a series of childhood photos, fashion campaigns and photoshoots she had been involved in that made her feel pressured to compromise her religious beliefs, namely her decision to wear the hijab, for her career.

Model Halima Aden has put a break on runways shows after reflecting on how was being portrayed by the western fashion industry. The 23-year-old model shared a series of childhood photos, fashion campaigns and photoshoots she had been involved in that made her feel pressured to compromise her religious beliefs, namely her decision to wear the hijab, for her career. Aden is a Somali-American Muslim, who fled Kenya as a child and was raised in Minnesota. "I wish I never stopped bringing my black hijab to set," she wrote in one photograph of herself wearing a black hijab. "Because the minute I got comfortable... well let's just say I got too carried away." Aden took to her Instagram stories and described her experience as a model wearing a hijab. "But... this isn't even my style?? Never was. Why did I allow them to put jeans on my head when at the time I had only ever worn skirts and long dresses?" she wrote over a photo of her American Eagle campaign. Aden was the first woman to wear a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant and later became the first hijab-wearing model at many runway shows across the globe. She has also appeared on numerous magazine covers and style campaigns. She even made history as the first to wear a hijab and a burkini in Sports Illustrated's 2019 Swimsuit Issue. For a 2017 photoshoot for Glamour where she wore a green wrap under her hijab and feathers around her neck, she wrote, "I went back to my hotel room and just sobbed after this shoot because deep down I knew this wasn't it. But was too scared to speak up. Also very common struggle when you are the FIRST to do something. Like what was that hideous green grass thing on my head?" Aden said it was the coronavirus pandemic that allowed her time to reflect on the career choices she was making, writing, "As I've said many times being a minority inside of a minority inside of a minority is never easy." "Being a "Hijabi" is truly a journey with lots of highs & lows," she continued. "With that said my hooyo macaan (mother) has been pleading with me for years to open my eyes. Thanks to Covid & the break away from the industry I have finally realized where I went wrong in my personal hijab journey." "My mom asked me to quit modeling a LONG time ago," Aden wrote in a post honouring her mother, Rukia Ahmed Aden. "I wish I wasn't so defensive. Sis was literally the only person who had the purest intentions for me. The advice she gave me was "DEEN over Dunya." And her stance has never once changed." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Halima Somali (@halima) × Aden said that the desperation for representation made her pursuee more jobs in the industry. The model took her mother's advice, writing, "My mom said "go correct it, you were good and blessed before fashion. THEY came to YOU. What are you scared of? Correct the mistake you made Publicly.. PUBLICALLY." She continued, "I never felt more free & relieved. God damn Somali moms are so stubborn like why she wait all these years to say that! But also thank you Covid because being home with her has put back so much into perspective. I'm not rushing back to FASHION." Aden did credit one fashion campaign that made her feel accepted. Appreciating Rihanna's Fenty campaign she shared a photo and wrote, "This was my 1st ever fashion campaign & it was thanks to @badgalriri. Sis let me wear the HIJAB I brought to set. This is the girl I'm returning to. The real HALIMA." The model shared photos of what she wanted her future opportunities in fashion to look like, sharing a photo of herself in a yellow hijab, writing, "If my hijab can't be this visible – I'm not showing up. Period." In another photo of herself playing with a child, Aden wrote, "And never skipping my prayer time! Fashion can wait. My DEEN can not." Following her series of reflective posts, Aden's announcement was met with an array of support from celebrities, including Naomi Campbell and Gigi Hadid. "Proud of you for staying true to your integrity," Campbell, 50, wrote under a post on Aden's Instagram, per CNN. "You are true light and joy since knowing you. And I hope our paths will cross in another capacity, keep rising and shining." Hadid, 25, similarly praised Aden and her decision, writing on her respective Instagram Story, "It is so important, as a hijabi or not, to self reflect and get back on track with what feels genuine to us - It's the only way to feel truly fulfilled."

Halima Aden reflects upon her struggles as a 'model with hijab', slams self and fashion campaigns

<p>In a first, hijab-wearing model Halima Aden graced the cover of a popular magazine in its 102-year-old history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Halima not only broke inclusion stereotypes by featuring on the cover of British Vogue that was founded in 1916 but also established a new space for different than ordinary beauty conventions. The 20-year-old is among nine chosen models on the cover of the magazine’s May issue that features these women as part of fashion’s ‘New Frontiers’.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalimaAden?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalimaAden</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PalomaElsesser?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PalomaElsesser</a> grace the May '18 cover of <a href="https://twitter.com/BritishVogue?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BritishVogue</a> - on newsstands April 6th. <a href="https://t.co/bJgef270QZ">pic.twitter.com/bJgef270QZ</a></p>
— IMG Models (@IMGmodels) <a href="https://twitter.com/IMGmodels/status/979757097549262850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-loreals-hijab-wearing-hair-model-pulls-out-after-anti-israel-tweets-surface-30449"><em>Also Read:&nbsp;L'Oreal's hijab-wearing hair model steps down after 'anti-Israel' tweets surface</em></a></p>

<p>In the edition, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful gave these models the opportunity to introduce themselves to the world of fashion. Explaining the reason behind this move, he wrote: "It is a moment for Vogue to do what it has always done best: to offer a bold vision of what the future can - and should - look like."</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/playboy-features-first-muslim-woman-in-hijab-6877"><em>Also Read:&nbsp;Playboy features first Muslim woman in hijab</em></a></p>

<p>Twitter erupted with joy after seeing Vogue’s initiative:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For the first time in 102 years a hijabi model graces the cover. Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/Kinglimaa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kinglimaa</a> ❤️❤️❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JOUR376?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JOUR376</a> <a href="https://t.co/I0NhjL0YCt">https://t.co/I0NhjL0YCt</a></p>
— Jaye (@JayeGray_) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayeGray_/status/980646517026541568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Halima Aden is making history <a href="https://t.co/49tAtFX6n5">https://t.co/49tAtFX6n5</a></p>
— Metro Lifestyle (@MetroUK_Life) <a href="https://twitter.com/MetroUK_Life/status/980512645047603201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Halima is joined on the cover by models including&nbsp;Adut Akech, Radhika Nair, Yoon Young Bae, Faretta, Fran Summers, Vittoria Ceretti, Paloma Elsesser and Selena Forrest.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


In its 102-year history, this is the first time when a hijab-wearing model has featured on the magazine's cover

In a first, hijab-wearing model Halima Aden graced the cover of a popular magazine in its 102-year-old history. Halima not only broke inclusion stereotypes by featuring on the cover of British Vogue that was founded in 1916 but also established a new space for different than ordinary beauty conventions. The 20-year-old is among nine chosen models on the cover of the magazine’s May issue that features these women as part of fashion’s ‘New Frontiers’. #HalimaAden + #PalomaElsesser grace the May '18 cover of @BritishVogue - on newsstands April 6th. pic.twitter.com/bJgef270QZ — IMG Models (@IMGmodels) March 30, 2018 × Also Read: L'Oreal's hijab-wearing hair model steps down after 'anti-Israel' tweets surface In the edition, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful gave these models the opportunity to introduce themselves to the world of fashion. Explaining the reason behind this move, he wrote: "It is a moment for Vogue to do what it has always done best: to offer a bold vision of what the future can - and should - look like." Also Read: Playboy features first Muslim woman in hijab Twitter erupted with joy after seeing Vogue’s initiative: For the first time in 102 years a hijabi model graces the cover. Congrats @Kinglimaa ❤️❤️❤️ #JOUR376 https://t.co/I0NhjL0YCt — Jaye (@JayeGray_) April 2, 2018 × Halima Aden is making history https://t.co/49tAtFX6n5 — Metro Lifestyle (@MetroUK_Life) April 1, 2018 × Halima is joined on the cover by models including Adut Akech, Radhika Nair, Yoon Young Bae, Faretta, Fran Summers, Vittoria Ceretti, Paloma Elsesser and Selena Forrest.

Halima Aden becomes first hijab-wearing model on British Vogue cover

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Halima Aden reflects upon her struggles as a 'model with hijab', slams self and fashion campaigns

Halima Aden becomes first hijab-wearing model on British Vogue cover