Vogue Arabia features first veiled cover model

CAIRO – 3 June 2017: Vogue Arabia showed its focus on presenting new identities by featuring its first veiled model, Halima Aden, on its June issue cover, released Thursday.

Aden described her hijab as a “crown” and was considered by Editor-in-Chief Manuel Arnaut a perfect model for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, according to a statement released by Vogue.

19-year-old Aden is a Somali-American who has paved her way through her career with strong convictions and preservation of her own beliefs. She encourages diversity and respect to be a normal aspect in any society, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to express themselves.

The idea was inspired by Princess Basma bint Majid bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, who is known for showcasing Saudi Arabian jewelry, clothing, and artifacts, as she exposed the meaning behind the traditional abaya, a long, loose-fitting garment that covers the entire body.

Al Saud met with Arnaut earlier and spoke about Arabian fashion heritage and the region’s identity.