FADHI MOHAMED
21, model
When this new face isn’t shooting for the cover of The Wall Street Journal, she’s studying maths at Queen Mary University of London. We’re hoping to see and hear a lot more from her.
Halima Aden changed my life.
Growing up, no one looked like me in magazines, until Halima. My dad sent me a video of her in her headscarf at the 2O16 Miss Minnesota USA pageant and told me, ‘If she can do it, so can you.’ She paved the way for Somali hijabi models and gave me the confidence to believe in myself.
I was scouted at 15 in London’s Westfield shopping centre.
I didn’t have the confidence to model then. But at 19, I went to an open casting at Storm Models. I kept it a secret from my family until the contract came through, as I didn’t want to disappoint them if I didn’t make the cut. My parents had concerns about whether my modest modelling would be respected, but I’ve only ever felt comfortable.
My first magazine cover was shot during quarantine.
It was for The Wall Street Journal and was socially distanced. I did my own make-up and was photographed on my doorstep. It felt so authentic – a moment I’ll never forget.
I want to represent Muslim women.
I get so many messages from young girls who wear headscarves, saying they feel seen because of me. Having that impact makes it important that I keep going. There’s a big shift in the amount of women of colour in the media, but there’s a long way to go.
Runway modelling is my next goal.
I’m obsessed with watching old runway footage of my favourite models: Yasmeen Ghauri, Naomi Campbell and Natasha Poly. Walking for Prada is top of my list.