Halima Aden is launching a range of fashionable headscarves just in time for Istanbul Modest Fashion Week (IMFW).
While the fashion industry still has a long way to go when it comes to diversity, one of the people helping pave the way is Aden, an American-Somali model who gained recognition after winning the Miss Minnesota USA pageant in 2016 wearing a hijab and burkini.
Since then, Aden has walked the runway for high-fashion brands like Max Mara, Alberta Ferretti and Kanye West's Yeezy. She also became the first hijab-wearing model to grace the cover of British Vogue in the publication’s 102-year history in 2018.
Now, the 21-year-old is breaking another boundary by adding “fashion designer” to her ever-growing multi-hyphenate title.
Collaborating with Turkish modest fashion brand Modanisa, Aden has designed a 27-piece capsule collection of fashion headscarves that will launch at Istanbul Modest Fashion Week, which takes place on 20-21 April 2019.
While further details about the collection are yet to be revealed, a recent comment made by the model regarding her modest fashion must-haves has given fans an insight as to what they can expect.
During an interview with Paper magazine, Aden declared that one of the staples for women who practice modest fashion is a “good nude hijab”.
However the model, who has built a reputation for her own personal style, also has a penchant for bold prints and bright colours with many of her Instagram posts showcasing her love for vivid shades of blue, red, fuchsia pink and leopard print.
Most recently, Aden made headlines after wearing a glittering chain-link Christian Cowan hijab with a neon-striped trouser suit at New York Fashion Week.
The model was also spotted walking for Tommy Hilfiger at the Tommy x ZendayaParis Fashion Week show.
Aden hopes that her success in the fashion industry will encourage more women from the next generation to follow their dreams.
“I want to be known for encouraging other girls to go out and have their own success stories,” she told Paper.
“I'm focused on the next generation. I want to one day see a hijabi at the Met Gala. I want to see a hijabi being a lead actress.
“Think of all the many firsts that are still out there. What can I do to encourage girls to dream big, to bring it home?"
