Somali-American Woman Breaks New Ground As The First 'Sports Illustrated' Swimsuit Model To Wear A Hijab And Burkini
Ah, Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition. Every eighth grade boy thought having a copy made them really cool.
Sometimes we had one just to fit in (but then we turned out to be gay--joke's on all of you!) but until now, it's been pretty Western and pretty indicative of Western culture, with extremely fit women in two-piece swimsuits.
However, in this day and age, even Sports Illustrated is expanding their horizons.
Halima Aden became the first Muslim model in the magazine.
Not only that, she wore a Hijab and a Burkini.
Halima Aden makes history as the first model to wear a hijab and burkini for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit:… https://t.co/QovRUfQ0ck— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@Sports Illustrated Swimsuit) 1556539618.0
.@kinglimaa, the 21-year-old Somali-American beauty, has just become the first model to wear a hijab and burkini wi… https://t.co/E9eeEl3jPs— Vogue Magazine (@Vogue Magazine) 1556563520.0
This year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue features Halima Aden, the first model to wear a hijab for the magazin… https://t.co/7nG04vV0nm— E! News (@E! News) 1556557302.0
Aden was born in Kenya at the Kakuma Refugee Camp, and moved to the USA at age 7.
"I keep thinking [back] to six-year-old me who, in this same country, was in a refugee camp," Halima said during her shoot.
"So to grow up to live the American dream [and] to come back to Kenya and shoot for SI in the most beautiful parts of Kenya–I don't think that's a story that anybody could make up."
@SI_Swimsuit This is awesome! Let women wear what they want. Good on ya, SI.— Lisa Carrera (@Lisa Carrera) 1556635627.0
@SI_Swimsuit Beautiful— $asha Banks (@$asha Banks) 1556570483.0
@voguemagazine @Kinglimaa She’s stunning 💕— hi there (@hi there) 1556618840.0
@voguemagazine @Kinglimaa Halima is lovely!— Yoko Nakagawa (@Yoko Nakagawa) 1556589708.0
Halima also previously made headlines at age 19 when she was the first woman to wear a hijab and a burkini to the Miss Minnesota USA pageant.
She also made the cover of British Vogue.
Halima Aden's Epic Guide to Glowing Skin & Golden Eyes | Beauty Secrets | Voguewww.youtube.com
Representation for the Muslim community matters.
“I never really felt represented because I never could flip through a magazine and see a girl who was wearing a hij… https://t.co/sl27j0DuZk— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@Sports Illustrated Swimsuit) 1556555558.0
This year's issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit features Halima Aden, the first model to wear a hijab and burkini,… https://t.co/gNHXhSSIAY— E! Style (@E! Style) 1556559631.0
“This feature is proving that a fully covered hijab wearing model can confidently stand alongside a beautiful woman… https://t.co/lJDg8fphJq— Glamour (@Glamour) 1556551422.0
On top of her fashion world successes, #HalimaAden has also become a vocal advocate for the rights of Muslim women. https://t.co/6VW1LLD2bZ— InStyle (@InStyle) 1556555594.0
And her efforts are not going unnoticed.
💙‼️ https://t.co/Uc82GG9wrN— Gigi Hadid (@Gigi Hadid) 1556547339.0
Once again, so proud to be a part of this incredible issue. @SI_Swimsuit is leading the way https://t.co/u0pqJqr5hB— Hunter McGrady (@Hunter McGrady) 1556545090.0
Breaking all barriers to achieve the American dream! So proud of @Kinglimaa! Halima Aden is the final rookie of S… https://t.co/0JYHeAiizf— Dr.Debbie Almontaser (@Dr.Debbie Almontaser) 1556542042.0
Halima Aden writes history again. She is the first model everrr to wear a hijab and burkini for Sports Illustrated… https://t.co/fdzuSe5sNe— Janice Deul (@Janice Deul) 1556551142.0
"We bonded immediately over the idea of her participating in this year's issue" MJ Day, the editor of Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition said.
"We both believe the ideal of beauty is so vast and subjective. We both know that women are so often perceived to be one way or one thing based on how they look or what they wear. Whether you feel your most beautiful and confident in a burkini or a bikini, YOU ARE WORTHY."
@JaniceDeul @itmedanya @SI_Swimsuit an absolute queen🤩— taylor biccum (@taylor biccum) 1556597267.0
@JaniceDeul @SI_Swimsuit She's gorgeous!😍— Shell (@Shell) 1556581341.0
@JaniceDeul @SI_Swimsuit She is stunning!!!— Shells Mac 🇨🇦🇦🇺🇺🇸 (@Shells Mac 🇨🇦🇦🇺🇺🇸) 1556582442.0
@JaniceDeul @shaunking @SI_Swimsuit She is stunning. ❤— 🦋🌹Mar•see•uh🌹🦋 (@🦋🌹Mar•see•uh🌹🦋) 1556596716.0
You go Halima! Show them beauty has no limits.