Halima Aden is breaking barriers inside the style industry at a time when xenophobia is at a top. A proud Somali-American version became UNICEF ambassador, she made records because the first Miss Minnesota pageant contestant to don a hijab and a burkini on a degree. A year later, she signed with a global modeling agency, IMG Models, becoming their first-ever hijabi model. She was due to the fact that walked in runway shows for Yeezy, MaxMara, and Alberta Ferretti; graced the covers of Vogue UK, Paper and Allure; and racked up a six-digit Instagram following.
We caught up with the 21-year-antique twiglet after H&M’s Conscious collection event in Los Angeles, where she showed her assist for the brand’s focus on sustainable style. “I have a look at the brand’s values and if it aligns with mine,” she instructed Refinery29 whilst asked why she helps H&M Conscious. “The paintings that [H&M is] doing with their Conscious Exclusive collection is the entirety that I want to paintings for as far as shielding our environment and types being more aware.”
She chose to wear a v-neck maxi get dressed from the gathering for the occasion, noting that she styled it modestly. “It nevertheless works for me due to the fact I paired it with a turtleneck. It appeared as those pieces belonged together.” She also fell in love with the get dressed’s matching headscarf. “I tried a headscarf that was part of the gathering as an accent, however, I wore it as a hijab, and it really complimented the get dressed.”
Halima is likewise embarking on her first-ever design task. Working with Modanisa, a Turkish brand that gives modest alternatives to ladies across the globe, Halima designed a 27-piece series of hijabs, turbans, and shawls. It will debut at Istanbul’s Modest Fashion Week later this month. “It’s going to be primary,” she teased. “My hijab is better to get information because I’m so excited.” Inspired by way of her close to 1,000,000 Instagram followers, the gathering is stocked full of pre-tied, colorful alternatives that are ideal for human beings on-the-go. “I observed the colors and patterns that my followers asked for and which of them get the most remarks, so I’m hoping that every hijabi finds something that works for her and her normal lifestyle.”
She’s ultimately starting to see a shift within the retail enterprise in the direction of embracing modest fashion. “I suppose now, extra than ever, manufacturers [are] starting to see that there’s a modest market. Women want to discover outfits that paintings with their way of life, paintings with their character fashion.” Representation on the runway is increasing as properly. “Just 3 years in the past there wasn’t an unmarried hijab-carrying version, and nowadays, there are like ten people, so I have to give the industry a large bravo — I’m honestly impressed.”
Between the use of her platform to unfold UNICEF’s message, encouraging manufacturers to embody the contemporary style marketplace, and growing her personal line of hijabs and turbans, Halima Aden really is doing all of it. Her give an up-all-be-all recommendation? “Always stay real to your self, realize your worth as a younger lady, attempt to usually do the proper component, be patient, paintings difficult, and dream BIG.”
