Swim Illustrated Swimsuits announced that Halima Aden is the first Hijabi model to wear a Burkini. She is featured in its annual swimsuit issue in the swimwear, which covers the entire body except for the face, hands, and feet.

For her SI Swimsuit rookie spread, we couldn’t think of a more perfect place travel than her birth country. Where she shot at Watamu Beach with photographer Yu Tsai.

“I keep thinking back to six-year-old me who, in this same country, was in a refugee camp,” Halima Aden said during her shoot. “So to grow up to live the American dream and to come back to Kenya and shoot for SI in the most beautiful parts of Kenya–I don’t think that’s a story that anybody could make up.”

“Don’t change Yourself. Change the Game” -Halima

Those are Halima’s inspiring words. She also mentioned that being in sports illustrated sends a message to the world that women of all backgrounds can stand together and be celebrated.

More about Halima

Halima grew up in Kenya at the Kakuma refugee camp, moved to the US at 7. She began wearing hijab shortly after.

At the age of 19. Halima made headlines when she was the first hijabi in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant, she was a semi-finalist. Then she signed with IMG models.

Since then she managed to be a successful inspiring international model.

Who First designed Burkinis

The Burkini was originally designed by Aheda Zanetti, a Muslim Australian Fashion Designer. Zanetti said the intention behind the design was to allow Muslim Hijabi women to enjoy and participate in the Australian beach lifestyle.

But the Burkini remains controversial, particularly in France. Where authorities in several French towns have proposed banning it, arguing it defies laws on secularism.