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Why Hijabi Model Halima Aden Chooses to Wear Braces―Even on the Runway

Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: Getty

From Harper's BAZAAR

In the span of two weeks, model Halima Aden walked for Yeezy Season 5 at NYFW, covered CR Fashion Book and walked for Max Mara and Alberta Ferretti in Milan. The 19-year-old did it all while proudly wearing a hijab-and braces.

The model made headlines for walking major runways in a hijab, thus challenging stereotypes in the fashion industry, but her braces give off a similar effect. Aden has been wearing them on and off for about six years. Although she had them removed after competing in Minnesota's Miss USA pageant (where she famously wore a burkini), she realized taking them off didn't change her confidence.

She told The Cut:

"It's been a bumpy relationship. When I completed for the pageant, I decided to take them off. I wanted to look my absolute best. I thought it would make me more confident. But taking them off I still felt about the same. People were still as welcoming, nothing changed. So I thought, braces didn't impact that. After that, I decided that I'm going to keep them on, they're a part of who I am."

Aden isn't just doing this for her own self-confidence, she hopes to break down girls' insecurities about braces, too.

"Besides, I know it's something a lot of girls are insecure about. I know I was when I was in high school. You hear comments like Brace Face or Train Tracks. It can make you insecure about your teeth. So I thought, What a great way to show people I'm not perfect. My teeth aren't perfect. But I'm still modeling."

Well said.

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