Model Halima Aden and CR Fashion Book editor Carine Roitfeld sat with Tim Blanks as part of Business of Fashion‘s “Voices” seminar. The exchange was themed on the disconnect between modest fashion spending trends and how the industry represents the category in coverage. According to Business of Fashion, Muslim consumer spending on clothing is expected to reach $368 billion dollars by 2021. Of the total, modest fashion purchases represents 18 percent.
Roitfeld discussing putting Aden on the cover of her magazine, explaining it was an easy decision because of how beautiful and charasmatic Aden is.
Aden discussed her choice to enter Miss Minnesota’s 2016 beauty pageant, a move that has since lead to multiple women who wear hijab to enter the competition. “Go and be the first because you’re opening the doors to the next wave of women,” said Aden.
The Somalian-born model emphasized that as a former refugee, she wants to give back and has made it a goal to provide children who are in refugee camps with hope. “It’s important to for me now to go back and share my story,” she explained.
Adorably, the video concluded with Aden expressing a wish for Naomi Campbell to teach her how to walk.
Check out the exchange below.
