Halima Aden, “the jewel of Somalia”

Halima Aden, a Somali-born model, is a pioneering icon in breaking down barriers in the international fashion industry.

Halima Aden's first appearance as a professional model was when she was featured on the cover of CR Fashion Book in 2017. This was a major turning point in her career, coming shortly after Halima gained recognition for being a contestant wearing a hijab (a traditional headscarf worn by Muslim women) and a burkini (a combination of "burqa" and "bikini," a swimsuit specifically designed for Muslim women that covers 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 face for a special issue focusing on religion and fashion, thereby breaking down many stereotypes about the role of Muslim women in the industry.

In the photoshoot, Halima proudly wore a hijab, displaying exceptional confidence and becoming a new icon in the integration of religion and fashion. These images not only received critical acclaim but also attracted the attention of major magazines and prestigious brands, paving the way for her international modeling career.

Halima then signed a contract with the modeling agency IMG Models, participating in major advertising campaigns and appearing on global fashion runways such as New York Fashion Week.

A turbulent childhood

Halima Aden was born on September 19, 1997, in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, where her family lived after fleeing the civil war in Somalia.

In 2004, when Halima was just 7 years old, her family was approved for resettlement in the United States.

Initially, Halima faced many difficulties in adapting to her new life. She couldn't speak English and had to contend with significant 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 emphasized that her mother is the greatest inspiration in her 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 shared with CNN Style.

Growing up in America, Halima faced pressure to fit in with the local culture while still maintaining the Islamic values ​​and traditions her family upheld. Wearing a hijab at school made her a target of discrimination and teasing from some of her peers.

However, Halima didn't let the derogatory remarks discourage her. On the contrary, she saw them as motivation to fight for acceptance and understanding of Islamic culture. "I've always been proud of myself and would never let anyone make me feel inferior just because I'm different," she told The Guardian.

From a young age, Halima displayed leadership qualities. In high school, she participated in numerous extracurricular activities and held leadership roles in several student organizations. She was particularly interested in community issues and frequently volunteered.

In 2016, while a student at St. Cloud State University, Halima decided to enter the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. This was a bold move, knowing that the image of a contestant wearing a hijab and burkini on stage would attract significant attention. However, Halima saw it as an opportunity to break stereotypes and inspire young Muslim women around the world . Halima became the first Muslim high school student to be crowned Miss Minnesota USA. At university, she was also the first Somali-American 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 burkini in the history of the competition.

Halima Aden in attire reflecting Islamic spirit.

The journey into the fashion world.

Although she didn't win Miss Minnesota USA, Halima made a strong impression. CR Fashion Book magazine featured her on its cover – an event that marked the beginning of Halima's modeling career, even though she hadn't signed with any agency yet. Halima's unique style and powerful message attracted the attention of IMG Models – one of the world's leading talent management companies. She quickly became the first hijab-wearing model to sign with them.

From there, Halima began appearing on major runways like New York Fashion Week and working with prestigious brands such as Max Mara, Alberta Ferretti, and Tommy Hilfiger. Halima not only represented Islamic fashion but also championed a change in how the industry viewed cultural diversity. For example, Tommy Hilfiger designed a custom headscarf for Halima for one of her shows, demonstrating respect and adaptability.

Halima Aden has always upheld her religious and cultural values ​​throughout her career. When star singer Kanye West invited her to model for his Yeezy collection, Halima initially declined because the outfit didn't conform to Islamic standards. However, Kanye later modified the design to meet her requirements. Halima also requested private dressing space backstage at shows, and these requests were gradually accepted by the fashion industry.

She wasn't afraid to challenge conventional norms. In an interview, Halima shared that when she returned to the Miss Minnesota USA competition a year later, seven other contestants were also wearing hijabs. This demonstrates the influence and inspiration she brings to the Muslim women's community.

Retirement

In 2020, Halima Aden announced her retirement from modeling, citing conflicts between the industry's values ​​and her religious beliefs. This decision received support from many famous figures, including singer Rihanna and supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. Even though she is no longer active in the fashion world, Halima continues to be an inspiring icon of representation, diversity, and self-acceptance.

After Halima Aden announced her retirement from modeling in November 2020, the decision sparked widespread discussion within the fashion industry and society, focusing on issues of diversity, inclusion, and personal boundaries in the profession.

Halima Aden announced her departure from modeling because she felt she could no longer continue the work while maintaining her personal and religious values. She shared that the pressures of the job forced her to compromise principles rooted in her Islamic faith, such as wearing inappropriate clothing or headscarves during photoshoots. Halima said these were moments when she “lost herself.”

Halima's decision received strong public support, particularly from Muslims, with young women feeling inspired by her courage and honesty. On social media, many praised her as an icon of steadfastness and asserted that her action sent a powerful message about prioritizing mental health and personal values ​​over career.

Halima Aden's decision also sparked a debate within the fashion industry about how minority models should be treated. Many criticized that while fashion is trying to promote diversity, it hasn't fully supported models in maintaining their individual identities.

Halima also admitted that she doesn't blame any particular brand or designer, but feels she needs to take responsibility for the compromises. However, this highlights the need to create an environment where models from different cultures can work without having to compromise their values, according to The Guardian.

Even after retiring from her career, Halima Aden continues to exert 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