4 HIJABI MODELS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fashion runways have traditionally been secular & all-white. It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago for a hijabi model or a model of any other race to make it as a model in the fashion industry, but things are changing rapidly.

Hijabi women are no longer barred from the world's most famous runways, thanks to the global movement for diversity among all industries. History has been made, as hijabi models marching down historically white runways are progressively becoming the norm, whether it's at worldwide known house-hold name like Fendi, or at a small boutique.

sketch by Ghina Daghestani

HALIMA ADEN

She shot to fame in 2016 after competing in a US beauty pageant while dressed in traditional Muslim garb, and the 20-year-old has since become a regular on catwalks all over the world. She is also the first hijabi supermodel. The Somali-American model was signed by IMG Models, the same agency that represents the most iconic supermodel like Gisele Bündchen & Kate Moss. She has walked for big-name brands like MaxMara, Yeezy, Tommy Hilfiger & Alberta Ferretti.

She's also graced the covers of magazines, billboards, and red carpets until she quit modelling.

ABDI OMAR

Abdi Omar made history as the first hijabi model for Burberry's legendary holiday campaign. The model, who is just in her mid twenties, already has a Vogue cover under her belt and has walked the runway for Richard Quinn, Burberry & Tommy Hilfiger.

ASHA MOHAMUD

Asha Mohamud was a mental health and beauty blogger before deciding to pursue a modelLing career a few years back. She made it's mark as the first hijabi to front an ASOS advertisement for the company's first modest collection, The Verona.

UGBAD ABDI

The Somali-American model made her runway debut for Valentino haute couture, and she has subsequently opened shows for Marc Jacobs and Fendi, as well as being the first hijabi model to walk for Lanvin and Fendi.

#GiGiinJeans

Thank you Ghina for sketching the gorgeous sketch for this blog post <3