Swimsuit

8 Powerful Photos of the Beautiful Halima Aden in Kenya

In 2019, she became the first hijab-wearing model to be featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue.

Martha Zaytoun

Halima Aden poses in a black catsuit, red kimono, and red rose turban with her arm above her head.

Halima Aden was photographed by Yu Tsai in Kenya.

In 2019, Halima Aden made her rookie appearance in the SI Swimsuit Issue, becoming the first hijab- and burkini-wearing model to grace the pages of the annual magazine. The 26-year-old traveled to the country where she was born, Kenya, with photographer Yu Tsai for her photoshoot.

It was a momentous occasion for both the magazine and Aden herself, who expressed disbelief at the prospect of her feature while on set. “I can’t believe I’m here,” she admitted. “This is literally a dream come true. I can’t even tell you how this feels.”

On set, she acknowledged part of her motivation for taking part in the SI Swimsuit feature. “Growing up in the States, I never really felt represented because I could never flip through a magazine and see a girl who was wearing a hijab,” she shared.

Aden sought to change that. From becoming her college’s first Somali student senator to becoming the first hijab-wearing contestant to participate in the Miss Minnesota pageant, the model is a certified history-maker. She followed up her rookie SI Swimsuit feature the next year in with a second photoshoot, this time in the Dominican Republic.

Not only did Aden make history in 2019, she looked absolutely stunning while doing it. Below are some of our favorite images from her SI Swimsuit feature in Kenya.

Halima Aden poses in the shallow water in a multi-colored burkini.
Halima Aden sits in the shallow water wearing a navy, light blue and yellow catsuit.
Halima Aden wears a color block catsuit and lays on the ground in front of natural rock formations.
Halima Aden wears a black catsuit and a green and black headscarf and poses with her arms above her head.
Halima Aden wears a red catsuit, a red hat and a Gucci scarf around her waist and poses with her hand resting on the natural rock beside her.
Halima Aden poses on the sand in a black catsuit, red kimono and red turban with floral detailing.
Halima Aden poses in the shallow water with her arm on her hip, wearing a blue catsuit and colorful kimono.
Halima Aden sits in the ocean in a pink catsuit and pink floral headscarf.

Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuit’s portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires.

Shop Now and Make a Difference

Published
Martha Zaytoun
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.

Home/SwimNews