9 Incredible Pics from Halima Aden’s SI Swim Photoshoot in the Dominican Republic

The hijab-wearing model made history as the first to grace the magazine’s pages.

Martha Zaytoun | Aug 7, 2023

Halima Aden.

Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

In 2019, Halima Aden made history as the first hijab-wearing model in an issue of SI Swimsuit. She traveled to Kenya with photographer Yu Tsai for the historic photoshoot, posing among the rocks for some powerful and stunning images.

Aden returned to the issue the following year, accompanying photographer Kate Powers to the Dominican Republic for the second iteration of her history-making feature.

The American model expressed overwhelming joy at the opportunity to take part in the issue for two consecutive years. “It was so emotional,” she said on set. “I had a moment where I [thought], ‘Oh my goodness, look how much my life has changed since the first time I shot with Sports Illustrated.’”

More important than her own experience, though, was the opportunity to inspire confidence in young women and girls.

“The reason why I’m so passionate [and] wanting to be a good example is because it translates,” Aden reflected. “The little girls who will flip through these magazines get to see somebody who maybe dresses like them or looks like them, somebody they can relate to on a deeper personal level.”

For the 25-year-old, the experience was one of representation, which is “something that is so incredibly powerful,” she said.

Below are nine of the most empowering photos from Aden’s trip to the Dominican Republic.

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by LYRA Swim.

Halima2 — Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Sports Illustrated Swim.

Halima7 — Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Tommy Hilfiger.

Halima5 — Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by LYRA Swim.

Halima3 — Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by NIKE.

Halima8 — Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Cynthia Rowley.

Halima6 — Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Cynthia Rowley.

Halima4 — Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Amazon Fashion.

Halima9 — Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Halima Aden was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Krahs.

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Published Aug 7, 2023

MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.