Halima Aden Takes A Bow With Four Vogue Arabia May Covers Shot by Youssef Oubahou AOC Fashion

Model and Muslim-rights activist Halima Aden is featured on four Vogue Arabia May 2022 covers. Aden is styled by Amine Jreissati in images by Youssef Oubahou [IG].

Vogue Arabia EIC Manuel Arnault writes the interview: Halima Aden on Her Three-Year Hiatus from the Industry, Inhumane Working Conditions of Models, and Muslim Representation. I have read the entire interview and for the mostpart, Aden seems frozen in time.

Is the fashion industry still rife with “inhumane working conditions for models”? I don’t know, but the New-York based Model Alliance four days ago posted on IG that the ‘Fashion Workers Act’, represents the culmination of the Model Alliance’s work over the last decade.

Here is the current public people face of the Models Alliance and I must say they have grown tremendously. Let me point out that there is no hijab-wearing woman of color, although the totality of representation is impressive. Perhaps Halima Aden can join and become part of a collective voice, rather than a solo, always highly-critical one?

The Master of Diplomacy

In AOC’s opinion, Manuel Arnault probably has the most delicate and politically-fraught EIC role in fashion media. He walks that tightrope with an impressive maturity and diplomacy that I certainly don’t possess.

Arnault impressed me today, because he has taken up the topic of the Cleopatra Netflix series. Hence the paragraph that preceds this one. I bow down, Manuel Arnault.

Halima Aden expresses select regrets about sending a torrent of Instagram blasts against the entire fashion industry and people close to her who tried to help her. I’ve had my say over that topic, but Halima had everyone including Carine Roitfeld trying to help her. You can’t do better than Carine.

Literally while I was writing, these new posts of Halima quotes went up on Vogue Arabia’s IG. It was my intention to just post the remaining fashion story images and exit stage left. No way now.

Dear Halima,

I admit to being very concerned about America becoming a theocracy, as we see women’s rights being stripped away in America at every turn.

Christian nationalism is on the move in America, and I fear for all of our rights as almost any theocracy is authoritarian in nature by definition, and women lose our rights.

I don’t think you understand, Halima, that women like myself are as vehemently opposed to Christian nationalism, the right-wing sects of Hindu nationalism and uber-Orthodox Judaism as we are to Islam’s nationalism sects.

You assume every perceived slight is about you and your devotion to Islam, but it’s really about any theocracy — at least when it comes from me and my friends.

On Hijab Wearing Women Not Being Oppressed

The United Nations announced Tuesday night, May 2, that its premier prize for press freedom has been awarded to three imprisoned Iranian female journalists “for their commitment to truth and accountability.”

Those imprisoned women are Niloufar Hamedi who broke the news that 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died last September while being held by the morality police for wearing her headscarf too loosely, and Elaheh Mohammadi who wrote about her funeral. The third winner is Narges Mohammadi, who has worked for many years as a journalist and is one of Iran’s most prominent activists.

What Is Your Opinion on the Iranian Women Wanting to Be Free to Choose Hijab, Halima?

Halima, do you support the demands on Iranian women that they must wear their hijabs — that they are not free to choose to wear a hijab or not, as is the case in America? I am shocked over your position after several years of reflection, and especially knowing about the crackdown on Iranian women.