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Every little girl looks up to her mom so much - that's your first hero.
Halima Aden -
To be honest, before I joined the industry, I knew very little about the fashion world, and I hardly knew any name brands. Probably because the price tags were a little too high, and home girl needed to work.
Halima Aden
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I did notice growing up that there are so many things, obstacles and things, that people think you can't do because you're Muslim or because you're wearing a hijab. You hear a lot of no's. That was something that I wanted to see change.
Halima Aden -
Skin care is so much more important than makeup. Makeup is for when you're having fun and going out. But your skin is forever.
Halima Aden -
I choose to focus on the positive.
Halima Aden -
I feel bad for my little cousins who don't see themselves being represented, or the little girls in my community who won't have a chance to see a Disney princess... who resembles them.
Halima Aden -
I feel like I'm here to bust those misconceptions and stereotypes of Muslim women.
Halima Aden -
I love Somali foods like canjeero, a pancakelike bread; same for pizza, burgers, and sushi.
Halima Aden
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I mix things from my Somali culture and my American side.
Halima Aden -
There is not one description of beauty - that in fact it has different faces, different stories, and different background, and it's important to embrace all of those.
Halima Aden -
When you're a kid, to be honest, you could be in the worst situation ever, but you're still going to have ways to enjoy it.
Halima Aden -
I know I got to do something that's one in a million, to escape a refugee camp, to come to this country and have so many doors open for me. So I want to go back and make a difference and give motivation or hope to all the kids that never got to leave or have the privilege that I did.
Halima Aden -
Be who you are. It's easy to feel like you have to blend in, but it takes courage to live your life with conviction and embrace the person that you are.
Halima Aden -
I like shopping at retail places like JC Penney or Macy's, and maybe buying a top or a shirt, and then buying a skirt from Rue 21 or Forever 21 because they have the maxi skirts, which I appreciate so much, and then topping it off with something that I buy from a Somali shop.
Halima Aden
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America has always been a land of diversity, basically made up of immigrants, and that is something I want to see continued. It's something I'm proud of when people think of America.
Halima Aden -
Always stay true to who you are - barriers can and will be broken!
Halima Aden -
I used to be so self-conscious about my braces that people thought I was shy - I just never talked. It took me a long time to realize, whatever, it's not like I'll have them forever, so I might as well enjoy it while I do!
Halima Aden -
When you have a lot of women in our state that do wear the hijab, we should be able to see that everywhere.
Halima Aden -
If there's one message I want people to take away is never compromise being your authentic self. Even if that means making others uncomfortable.
Halima Aden -
When I was younger, I got bullied for wearing my hijab.
Halima Aden
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Back in high school, I didn't ever see a Muslim homecoming king or queen - there was never even anyone nominated. It just seemed for a lot of those events, Muslim kids were not being included, and it was probably our fault too - no one was going for it, but no one was trying to push us to do it, you know?
Halima Aden -
I think often the West does not understand the history and the privilege of wearing a hijab. They always think of oppression.
Halima Aden -
I learned that when you stand up for what you believe in, you'll get a lot of support. But there are always going to be negative things said about you.
Halima Aden -
What I do is I always try to educate myself about my neighbors, about the people I meet.
Halima Aden