19-year-old Somali-American Halima Aden has just landed a contract with IMG, marking a major step towards cultural diversity in the industry. The young model first made headlines in 2016 while competing for the title of Miss Minnesota. She proudly sported not only a hijab and a birkini, but also a rather fetching set of braces.
“I wanted to spread a positive message about beauty and diversity, and to show other young Muslim women that there is room for them,” she told Business of Fashion. Born in a Kenyan refugee camp, Aden never imagined a future in fashion, but nevertheless she is one of the hottest names in the industry. Not only has she just walked for Kanye in the Yeezy Season 5 show, but she’s gearing up to feature in the latest edition of the CR Fashion Book.
“Halima is breaking boundaries of beauty and perception by being herself,” said Carine Roitfeld, former Editor in Chief of Vogue Paris and founder of the CR Fashion Book.
