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Model Halima Aden is taking a break from fashion. Three years after making her runway debut at New York Fashion Week and becoming the first Muslim hijab-wearing supermodel at 19, Halima Aden is making a u-turn from fashion because the industry is forcing her to compromise her religious beliefs. In a lengthy Instagram Stories post, the 23-year-old Somali-American model narrated her reasons for quitting and also apologized to her 1.2m followers, especially the Muslim women who were looking up to her.
“As I’ve said many times, being a minority inside of a minority is never easy,” Halima wrote in her Storie. “Being a Hijabi is truly a journey with lots of highs and lows, but with that being said, my hooyo macaan (mother) has been pleading with me for years to open my eyes.”
Just in three years, the model has fronted many campaigns and walked major runway shows including Kanye West’s Yeezy and Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty as well as appearing in British Vogue, Vogue Arabia, Allure, and Essence Magazine. She said the Covid-19 lockdown contributed to rediscovering herself. “Thanks to COVID and the break away from the industry, I have finally realized where I went wrong in my personal hijab journey. I wish I never stopped bringing my black hijab to set. Because the minute I got comfortable, let’s just say I got too carried away.”
Photo Courtesy In what seems to be very unsurprising, Halima channeled her blame to the lack of diversity in the fashion industry. “I can only blame myself for caring more about the opportunity than what was actually at stake. I blame myself for being naive and rebellious. What I do blame the industry for is the lack of Muslim women stylists.” she wrote.
According to the model, she will never compromise her hijab again, even with a gig worth over $10 million. “Not rushing back to fashion,” Halima said towards the end of her post. “Not even for $10 million would I ever risk compromising my hijab ever again . . . I’m guarding my hijab unlike EVER before.” Her decision has, however, garnered support from other models in the industry, including Gigi and Bella Hadid, as well as Rihanna.
