Halima Aden to Wear the Niqab, Might Quit Modelling Again

Aden’s message implies a significant evolution in her spiritual journey—possibly choosing to wear the full face veil and step away from her public career. The phrasing suggests a metaphorical or literal departure from modelling and social media. 

Her career began after competing in Miss Minnesota USA in 2016, where she made headlines as the first contestant to wear a hijab and burkini. Signed by IMG Models, she debuted at New York Fashion Week in 2017 and walked for leading brands like Max Mara and Alberta Ferretti. She also featured in Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty campaign and became the first hijab-wearing model on the cover of Vogue Arabia. 

Previously, in 2020, Aden took a hiatus from modelling, citing conflicts between her career and Islamic values. A pause during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted deep reflection, leading her to criticize moments where her hijab was compromised, including a photoshoot where jeans were placed over her head instead of a scarf. She shared that such experiences left her uncomfortable and disconnected from her identity. 

Though she later returned to modest fashion platforms—such as headlining Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week in December 2024—Aden maintained precise conditions for modelling, insisting her hijab remain visible and authentic. Now, her latest post may mark a further step in her evolution toward greater privacy and devotion. 

Halima Aden’s potential choice to fully adopt the niqab and withdraw can be seen as a profound personal decision rooted in faith and autonomy. It reinforces her commitment to faith over public performance and suggests a final departure from the fashion industry as she perceives it.