For the theme of CR's 10th issue, Carine returned to the place that has inspired her most: Paris. Leading up to our newsstand date on March 2nd, we'll reveal a series of teasers from inside the upcoming CR10 that can all be traced back to our editor-in-chief's roots.
Today, we introduce a relatively unknown face, the Somali-American Halima Aden who represents one type of diversity that has made Paris the dynamic city that it is today. Halima herself was born in a refugee camp in Kenya and migrated to the United States at an early age. Back in November, she competed for the title of Miss Minnesota USA. Although she didn't win, she made history as the first-ever contestant to wear a hijab and a burkini in a competition—as opposed to evening gowns and swimwear. Her image circulated around the Internet, touching many young Muslim women who had never imagined seeing someone like Halima in the running for a beauty pageant.
"Halima is breaking boundaries of beauty and perception by being herself," Carine explains. "I find this incredibly inspiring, and I know she will be an icon. In CR Issue 10, she represents the diversity of Paris, where a mix of global cultures converge." We hope this is just the beginning of a long modeling career for Halima, who's poised to be the first top model to only be photographed wearing her hijab. - Ray Siegel