The Somali-American model walked in Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 5 show in a hijab and a floor-length fur coat.
Halima Aden, 19, wowed social media users after images were released of the beauty walking in Kanye West’s highly anticipated Yeezy Season 5 show. Here’s what to know about the budding fashion star who is challenging stereotypes on and off the runway.
1. She’s already caught the eye of top fashion editors.
The model’s first print editorial will be revealed in the March issue of CR Fashion Book, the brainchild of former Vogue Paris editor Carine Roitfeld. Preview images reveal Aden wearing a Celine blazer. The feature was shot by famed fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti.
2. She competed in a Miss Minnesota pageant.
Aden made national headlines after rocking braces, a hijab and a burkini while competing for the title of Miss Minnesota, a subsidiary of the Miss USA pageants. Donald Trump was the owner of the pageants from 1996 to 2015, and they were later acquired by WME/IMG.
3. She was born in a Kenyan refugee camp and is a Somali-American.
“I didn’t really have modeling in mind,” says Aden, “I wanted to spread a positive message about beauty and diversity, to show other young Muslim women that there is room for them,” she told Business of Fashion. While there’s little information on how Aden immigrated to the U.S., she is a Minnesota resident and an American citizen.
4. She’s newly signed to IMG Models.
Aden’s joining the ranks of mega models Bella and Gigi Hadid, Chrissy Teigen and Gisele in IMG Models’ Women division.
5. She’s taking social media by storm.
Gigi Hadid instagrammed her, and the Women’s March tweeted that she’s “the future of fashion.” Aden is quickly being idolized by young fans on social media. Almost immediately after the show, Aden trended on Twitter in New York, and images spread like wildfire on Instagram. Expect to see more of the young beauty in the future.
#HalimaAden is the future of fashion! The 19-year-old Somali-American (born in a refugee camp) made her #NYFW debut rocking a hijab. pic.twitter.com/nyusgW6H5i
— Women's March (@womensmarch) February 16, 2017
