ON THE RISE - SOMALI MODEL UGBAD ABDI

Ugbad Abdi is a pro. One of the most sought-after models of the moment, not only is Somali model striking with her wide-eyed grace, feline composure and natural elegance, but she is quickly becoming a young voice for Muslim women around the world, a symbol of what headcovers mean today. Discovered on Instagram, the cover star of the April issue of i-D debuted on the international limelight in January when she glided down Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Valentino Haute Couture show, a tribute to black female beauty that bonded new faces and veterans such as Naomi Campbell. After that, from New York to Paris, Abdi has walked down many top-flight catwalks and even became the first hijab-wearing model to walk for Fendi and Lanvin. In fact, Ugbad, who chose to wear a hijab, is very sensitive and open about the misconceptions linked with headcovers for Muslim women and is eager to clear some of the confusion. Born in Somalia during its civil war, Abdi spent years in a Kenyan refugee camp and at the age of 9 moved to Iowa, in the U.S, for a fresh start.