Halima Aden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Halima Aden
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Aden at UNICEF on International Women’s Day
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| Born | September 19, 1997 Kakuma, Kenya
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| Nationality |
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| Alma mater | St. Cloud State University |
| Occupation | Model |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Eye color | Dark brown |
| Agency | IMG Models (New York, Paris, Milan, London) |
Halima Aden (Somali: Xaliima Aaden; born September 19, 1997) is an American fashion model. She became famous for being the first woman to wear a hijab (a headscarf worn by some Muslim women) in the Miss Minnesota USA 2016 beauty pageant. She made it to the semi-finals in that competition.
After the pageant, Halima got a lot of attention across the country. She then signed with IMG Models, a major modeling agency. She also made history as the first model to wear both a hijab and a burkini (a swimsuit that covers the whole body) in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue magazine. In 2021, she was named one of the BBC's 100 Women, which highlights influential women around the world.
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Early Life & School Days
Halima Aden was born on September 19, 1997, in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. A refugee camp is a place that offers safety and shelter to people who have had to leave their homes because of war or danger. Her family is from Somalia.
When she was six years old, Halima moved to the United States. She settled in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She went to Apollo High School. Her classmates chose her as their "homecoming queen," which is a special honor given to a popular student during school celebrations. Halima is currently a student at St. Cloud State University.
Her Modeling Journey
Breaking Barriers in Modeling
In 2016, Halima Aden became widely known after she competed in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. She was the first person in the pageant's history to wear a burkini and a hijab. This was seen as a big step towards making the modeling world more open to different people.
The next year, Halima signed a three-year contract with IMG Models. In February 2017, she walked in her first big fashion show at New York Fashion Week. She also helped judge the Miss USA 2017 pageant.
Since then, Halima has walked for many famous designers. These include Maxmara and Alberta Ferretti. She has also taken part in Milan Fashion Week and London Modest Fashion Week. Halima has appeared in ads for American Eagle and British Glamour magazine. She also had a cover on CR Fashion Book.
Halima Aden was the first model wearing a hijab to walk on international runways. She was also the first to sign with a major modeling agency. In June 2017, she became the first hijab-wearing model on the covers of Vogue Arabia, Allure, and British Vogue magazines.
A Voice for Children
In 2018, Halima Aden became an ambassador for UNICEF. UNICEF is a part of the United Nations that helps children around the world. Her work with UNICEF focuses on protecting children's rights.
Making History in Swimwear
In May 2019, Halima Aden made history again. She became the first model to wear a hijab and a burkini in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine.
This was another moment where she helped change the fashion industry. It showed that the industry could be more welcoming to Muslim women. Halima shared on her Instagram that her appearance in Sports Illustrated sent an important message. She said it showed her community and the world that "women of all different backgrounds, looks, upbringings...can stand together and be celebrated." In 2020, Halima also became the first Black woman wearing a hijab to be on the cover of Essence magazine.
Designing Her Own Collection
In April 2019, Halima Aden worked with a modest clothing brand called Modanisa. Together, they designed her own collection of turbans and shawls. It was called Halima x Modanisa. In an interview, Halima said her collection was for everyone, whether they wear a hijab or not. She launched the collection at Istanbul Modest Fashion Week on April 20, 2019.
Setting Her Own Rules
In November 2020, Halima Aden announced that she was stepping away from runway modeling. She felt that it sometimes went against her religious beliefs. However, she later said she would still do modeling work if she could set the rules. This means she would only take jobs that fit her values. Famous models like Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, and Bella Hadid supported her decision. Halima also shared that she planned to be the first Somali woman to compete at Miss Universe.
In December 2021, she was once again recognized as one of the BBC's 100 Women.
Her Personal Choices in Modeling
Halima Aden's modeling contract includes her hijab. She has made it a non-negotiable part of her work. This means she will not work with anyone who asks her to remove it.
Halima has talked about how it can be hard to find modeling jobs that respect her choice to wear a hijab. She shared positive experiences with brands like Maxmara. They designed special outfits for her that worked with her clothing choices. Halima believes she does not need to change who she is to be a successful model.
