American Eagle celebrates diversity with hijab model
Updated 13 July 2017
Arab News
JEDDAH: In a celebration of diversity, renowned brand American Eagle features a hijab-wearing model to mark its summer 2017 collection.
Halima Aden, a Somali American, made headlines last winter for being the first hijab-wearing model on New York and Milan runways.
She was also the first ever Somali American to compete and become a semifinalist in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant.
“She caught our attention at 2016’s Miss Minnesota USA, where she competed in a burkini and hijab,” the American retailer tweeted.
The ad is a part of the brand’s back-to-school collection 2017.
“I’m very proud to be in this campaign and to support its message of inclusivity and empowerment,” Aden said.
“I have always loved the brand’s work to encourage today’s youth to express themselves, and it is important to me to be a part of something that shows diversity expressed through many backgrounds and personal styles.”
The 19-year-old was on Vogue Arabia’s cover last month.
“That surreal & dreamlike feeling the moment you see yourself on the cover of Vogue Arabia cannot be explained!” Aden tweeted.
The world-famous IMG Models agency signed her as the first hijab-wearing model earlier this year after she caught its attention for wearing a burkini during the swimsuit competition of 2016’s Miss Minnesota.
DUBAI/ LOS ANGELES: Arab designers dressed a handful of stars at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes on Sunday, with talent from Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia among the designers to be featured on the awards ceremony red carpet.
Show host Nikki Glaser took to the red carpet at the event in a baby pink gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad.
The outfit, one of many costume changes for Glaser on Sunday night, hailed from his Resort 2026 collection.
For her part, Kylie Jenner was spotted at the awards ceremony in a custom-made silver gown by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, the founder of Paris-based label Ashi Studio.
Kylie Jenner was spotted at the awards ceremony in a custom-made silver gown by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi. (Getty Images)
Irish TV personality Maura Higgins looked elegant in a figure-hugging black gown with a textured golden shawl-like accessory by Dubai-based Egyptian designer Marmar Halim.
Timothee Chalamet and a sea of other stars also said goodbye to color at this year's Golden Globes, opting instead for black.
Ariana Grande left behind her “Wicked” character's signature pink color for a black Vivienne Westwood couture dress but brought back her ponytail. Other notable celebrities in black included Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Mia Goth.
Edebiri chose a black off-the-shoulder Chanel dress embellished with jewels on the shoulders from Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show.
Celebrities held onto their gowns and watched their steps as they posed for photos on high stairs that served as the red carpet. Like the Met Gala, they lined up at the bottom and had to perilously climb their way up.
Maura Higgins looked elegant in a figure-hugging black gown with a textured golden shawl-like accessory by Dubai-based Egyptian designer Marmar Halim. (Getty Images)
The 83rd Golden Globes gives a glimpse into how celebrities will showcase their original take on fashion as the awards season progresses. Since 1944, the show has honored the best in film and television.
The carpet, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, is a chance for nominees to make a statement, though some are beholden to fashion houses who pay them as ambassadors.
Several, including George Clooney, wore Giorgio Armani. The fashion world lost Armani in September, but his eponymous brand lives on.
“It was nice to see so many attendees, including Julia Roberts and Kate Hudson, wearing the brand and pay tribute,” said Véronique Hyland, fashion features director for Elle.
Stars also shone in metallics. “Sentimental Value” actor Renate Reinsve twirled on the carpet in a shimmery silver tasseled dress by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Louis Vuitton. Her co-star Elle Fanning's Gucci dress was embroidered with Norwegian flowers in honor of their Norwegian drama film.
