Halima Aden in Istanbul for launch of Rasit Bagzibagli x Modanisa’s Desert Dream collection

Halima Aden, a hijab top model of Somali origin from the USA, appeared on the runway as the chief model in the special fashion show of the "Desert Dream" collection designed by fashion designer Raşit Bağzıbağlı for Modanisa.

In the fashion show organized at EMAAR Square Mall, 16 models introduced the 28-piece "Desert Dream" collection. Hijab top model Halima Aden took part in the fashion show as a top model.

Speaking at the press conference organized after the fashion show, Somali origin US top model Aden said, "I am very excited and happy. This is my first time in Turkey. I saw this place as my second home. I wrote on my social media account that I wanted to settle in Turkey. Newspapers used this news." he said.

Aden responded to the journalists' question, "Would you really have such a request?", "Yes, you invite me and I will come."

Top model Aden continued her statement as follows:

"I was born in Somalia. I was wearing hijab before I became a model. I didn't cover up afterwards. It was completely by chance that I became a top model. I applied for a beauty contest. The fact that I was the only hijab-clad contestant made me a headline in the newspapers. After that, I started working for the most famous modeling agency in the world. There are also models I know in Turkey. There was Tulin Sahin at the fashion show we did in Dubai. I know her."