The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is still one of the most iconic magazine covers in pop culture today.
Models who have landed the cover in the past have gone on to huge careers, and for many, it is a defining moment in their work.
RELATED STORIES
Besides getting the coveted spot, this year’s cover model is also making history for wearing a hijab and burkini for the first time ever.
Take a look at her groundbreaking accomplishment and why some trolls are hating on this decision.
Halima Aden is a 21-year-old model who is about to take over the fashion world.
Halima quickly rose to fame when she became the first contestant to wear a hijab while competing in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant where she was a semi-finalist.
Following the pageant, Halima was signed to IMG models and has been dominating ever since.
She recently walked the runway for Paris Fashion Week, where she sported looks from the Zendaya x Tommy Hilfiger collaboration.
As an American Muslim woman with Somali heritage, Halima wears a hijab.
The religious headscarf is culturally significant to Muslim women, and there are many reasons why they choose to wear one.
For many, it signifies God’s expectation of modesty and allows women to show off their Islamic heritage.
Halima has made history by appearing on multiple magazine covers with her hijab.
She is the first hijab-wearing model to appear on the cover of Vogue Arabia and Allure .
She’s just made history again.
Halima is now the first hijab-wearing model to appear on the famous, annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition . In the past, models like Kate Upton and Chrissy Teigen have been featured on the cover.
Twitter has been praising the magazine’s decision to place Halima on the cover in a burkini.
This is a historic moment for hijab-wearing models everywhere, and an important step towards diversity in the industry.
This cover proves that women can be sexy in whatver they choose to wear.
Modesty is not something that is typically seen in a magazine like Sports Illustrated , but Halima’s cover celebrates women’s freedom over what they wear.
Some are even calling for Barbie to make a doll of Halima.
I’m sure she will go on to be a role model for many young Muslim girls, so a Halima Barbie would make total sense.
However, there has been some backlash to the decision to feature a model with a hijab.
Halima’s fans are not here for these ignorant and racist comments and have been clapping back appropriately.
Some people were confused by this decision.
What’s there to be confused about? Some women choose to wear a hijab and these women also need representation in the fashion industry.
Really, there is only one word to describe these photos: stunning.
That really says it all, doesn’t it?
This cover and photoshoot is groundbreaking while also looking gorgeous. It’s time to silence the haters and celebrate this milestone. Congrats, Halima on making history for Muslim women around the world.
