Ikram Abdi Omar photographed by Txema Yeste for Vogue Arabia April 2019.

Vogue Arabia editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut makes history, devoting the April 2019 issue to the topic of ‘modesty’ and clothes that empower Muslim women living in and out of the Arab world. Three black Hijabi models — Halima Aden, Ikram Abdi Omar, and Amina Adan — are the cover stars, appearing individually and together in a historic group cover and interior shots.

Amina Adan photographed by Txema Yeste for Vogue Arabia April 2019.

The trio, shot by Txema Yeste and styled by Vogue Arabia fashion director Katie Trotter, speaks candidly about modest dressing as a matter of the woman’s choice – “your body, your rules.” #mychoice

The Vogue Arabia cover is a first for Omar and Adan and the second for Aden, who says, “I think it’s important to remember that wearing a hijab is a woman’s personal choice. It doesn’t make her any better or worse than another Muslim woman. To me, it symbolizes modesty and gives me a sense of power.”

Halima Aden photographed by Txema Yeste for Vogue Arabia April 2019.

Adan says that most people — even those who are genuinely curious in knowing more about Muslim women who wear the hijab — are uncomfortable asking questions and opening dialogue on the topic. Adan says. “All they know about Muslim people stems from the news or videos on the internet about women not having the same rights as men.”

Omar, who made her London fashion week debut in 2018 after working for The Modist, is hopeful that there is growing support for hijab-wearing women, a choice that AOC has embraced since 2009, when Anne became very involved in high-profile women’s rights cases in the Arab world. “In the past, I would have had to bring extra headscarves with me just in case, but stylists mostly bring some for me now,” she shares. “They find it fascinating and get creative, which warms my heart because they see the beauty of the hijab every time a new look is created.”

Halima (back) Wears Top, Dior Couture; Ikram (front left) Wears Dress, Givenchy; Amina (front right) Wears Top, Jumpsuit, Dior Couture. Photographed by Txema Yeste for Vogue Arabia April 2019.

CEO and founder of The Modist, Ghizlan Guenez, is profiled in the issue as are three American Muslim women US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Olympic athlete Amani Al-Khatahtbeh and tech entrepreneur Amani Al-Khatahtbeh. Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari reveals her competitive side.

Ilhan Omar and Halima Aden come from the same Somali community in Minnesota and have very different approaches to speaking about their American experiences.

AOC has followed all aspects of Halima Aden’s career, including her activism and work with refugees. Halima is a joy to behold, in our opinion. Aden will collaborate with Modansia, a Turkish modest-wear online platform, to design a collection of 27 headscarves, dropping as part of Istanbul Modest Fashion Week April 20-21. See Halima’s archives at end of article.

Ikram (left) Wears Dress, Alexandre Vauthier Couture; Polo Neck Bodysuit, Falke. Halima (center) Wears Dress, Alexandre Vauthier Couture. Amina (right) Wears Coat, Armani Privé. Photographed by Txema Yeste for Vogue Arabia April 2019.

The issue highlights fashion pioneers leading the way in modern modest wear, including Donia Allegue, the Tunisian-French founder of the eponymous luxury turban label; Melanie Elturk, founder of Haute Hijab, and the Emirati abaya designer Hessa Falasian.

Dress, Alexandre Vauthier Couture; Polo Neck Bodysuit, Falke; Hat, Donia Allegue. Photographed by Txema Yeste for Vogue Arabia April 2019.

Modest fashion has become more than a religious observance, spreading its wings around the globe to become a billion-dollar industry. And we must admit that the boundaries of ‘modest fashion’ are expanding. 80% of many women’s wardrobes would qualify as ‘modest fashion’. Sometimes we are surprised at body-conscious looks that qualify as ‘modest’.