Halima Aden Announces Fashion Comeback with a Mission to Inspire

Halima Aden, the trailblazing model known for being the first woman to grace the cover of Vogue wearing a hijab and for her historic appearance in Sports Illustrated donning a burkini, is set to make a comeback in the fashion industry with a renewed purpose to inspire.

The 26-year-old, who left the fashion world during the pandemic, expressed her intent to use her platform to create a positive impact. Aden gained global recognition in 2016 when, as a former Somali refugee, she competed in the Miss Minnesota USA beauty pageant in traditional modest Muslim attire.

In a recent interview with Grazia, Aden shared insights from her journey and emphasized the importance of taking a pause for self-reflection. She stated, “I think being grounded is the greatest gift you could give yourself.” During her hiatus from the fashion industry, Aden focused on her role as a UNICEF ambassador, actively engaging with refugee camps in Nairobi and contributing to educational initiatives in her hometown in Minnesota.

Aden, born in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and later immigrating to the U.S. at the age of seven, aims to bring attention to her refugee community and serve as a positive role model for young Muslim girls. She expressed gratitude for the time spent with her family, particularly her mother, who she credits as a significant influence on her identity.

Now poised for a return to fashion, Aden outlined her goals, stating, “My goals now revolve around making a meaningful impact in the fashion industry. I want to continue breaking barriers. I want to challenge stereotypes. I want to advocate for greater diversity and representation. I aspire to inspire. I want it to be a welcoming environment for everybody.”

Aden also revealed her desire to collaborate with other creatives to incorporate her signature turbans as a storytelling element in fashion. She emphasized her commitment to providing young, modest, hijab-wearing women with diverse representations and styling options.

As Halima Aden prepares to re-enter the fashion scene, her focus on meaningful impact, diversity, and inspiration is set to shape her contributions to an industry she aims to transform positively.