British Vogue features its first hijab-adorned model in 102 years

In its 102 years of publication, the May 2018 issue of British Vogue will feature, for the first time, a hijab-wearing model on its cover – 20-year-old Halima Aden.  Themed “New Frontiers”, it will also include models Adut Akech, Radhika Nair, Yoon Young Bae, Faretta, Fran Summers, Vittoria Ceretti, Paloma Elsesser and Selena Forrest.

In 2002, Naomi Campbell became the first black model to grace the covers of what some dub the “UK fashion bible.” Followed by Jordan Dunn in 2015 and Rihanna in 2016.  In 2017, British/Ghanaian model and activist Adwoa Aboah also appeared on the cover of the iconic magazine.

Ghanaian-born Edward Enninful became the first black editor in the publication’s history when he was appointed the editor-in-chief o in 2017.

“It is a moment for Vogue to do what it has always done best: to offer a bold vision of what the future can – and should – look like, Even five years ago – and certainly 10 or 20 years ago – if you were shooting a group cover like this, the girls would not have looked like these young women do,” Enninful commented.

Halima Aden

Born in 1997 in a Kenyan refugee camp, Aden relocated with her family to St. Cloud, Minnesota.  In 2016, she made massive headlines by competing in the Miss Minnesota USA and modelling in burkini – a modest swimsuit for women and a hijab – a scarf adorning the head.  In 2017, Aden signed a three-year modelling contract with IMG models and has since appeared on the cover of Allure, Vogue Arabia, American Eagle, and British Glamour. She has also runway modeled for Maxmara and Alberta Ferretti