A Muslim model shakes fashion circles and breaks contracts with huge sums... for the sake of "veil and modesty"

Halima Aden: I have not been able to progress in a sector in which there is no minimum respect for human beings. AFP

Last year, the Muslim model, Halima Aden, terminated contracts for huge amounts of money with fashion houses. The Somali-American model, who does not hesitate to participate in photo sessions with the hijab and the burkini, is counting on the flourishing of "modest fashion" directed at Muslim women.

For the young woman who was born in a refugee camp in Kenya 24 years ago and who celebrates her birthday today, it is a matter of self-esteem in a rapidly evolving field that sometimes compromises her values.

Halima Aden told "Agence France Presse" during a station in Istanbul: "Since I was young, the saying (you do not change, but change the system) allowed me to overcome many difficulties in my life."

She revealed, “This is the principle that I applied when I made the decision to give up everything.

I am very, very proud of my decision.”

Halima Aden's move caused a stir in fashion circles, and many praised her boldness.

Halima Aden appeared for the first time in a burkini and a veil during a beauty contest in Minnesota in 2016. In 2019, she appeared again in a burkini on the cover of "Sports Illustrated" magazine after it became famous.

On a personal level, however, she felt constrained.

She recounted: "I always had a private place to change my clothes, but in most cases I was the only one who benefited from a measure of privacy."

She continued, "I used to see my young female colleagues taking off their clothes in front of everyone... and that was very shocking."

She asserted, "I was not able to progress in a sector in which there is no minimum respect for human beings."

Halima Aden was relieved when she announced that she would stop participating in photo sessions and fashion shows last year.

She said on Instagram: “I have never felt so comfortable.

Keeping it all in my chest was like poison.”

She felt that her traditions, very different from those of the majority of models, were not being treated appropriately by some brands.

In 2017, for example, the American Eagle brand put jeans on its head in the place of the hijab.

She denounced this move at the time, writing on “Instagram”: “This is not... my style.

It got to the point where I could no longer identify with the veil as I liked to wear it.”

She seemed more comfortable this week during her participation in an event organized by the Turkish brand "Modanisa", with which she will cooperate and design several exclusive collections.

The brand, which sells its products on the Internet, is one of the famous brands in the field of "modest fashion" in Turkey.

In recent years, "modest" fashion shows have been organized in Moscow and London.

This market is witnessing a great demand, especially in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, where Halima Aden praises the wide variety of street fashion.

She said, "What I like the most in Turkey, and especially in Istanbul, is seeing women who do not wear the veil walking in the street next to veiled ones."

She added, "In Istanbul, we can touch the taste of the world."

The "modest" fashion boom in recent years is partly due to the popularity of models like Halima.

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