Gigi Hadid graces first cover of Vogue Arabia

The world-renowned fashion model talked about how much the cover meant to her as someone of Palestinian heritage.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

MARCH 3, 2017 12:01

Updated: MARCH 3, 2017 15:33

Palestinian American model Gigi Hadid (photo credit: REUTERS) — Palestinian American model Gigi Hadid

(photo credit: REUTERS)

Supermodel Gigi Hadid will be featured on the cover of the first-ever edition of Vogue Arabia, set to hit the magazine shelves this month.

Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, appears on the cover sporting a crystal and jewel-encrusted traditional Islamic veil. Vogue Arabia posted more pictures from the magazine, which feature Hadid wearing a pink and purple hijab.

Hadid is not Muslim and has been accused of cultural appropriation by some users on Twitter and other social media forums for wearing the hijab. Some posts have asked why the magazine couldn't have hired a Muslim model if they wanted to showcase the hijab in their photo spread.

We present the first cover of Vogue Arabia photographed by @inezandvinoodh featuring Model of the Year @GigiHadid. pic.twitter.com/53NYElQc8t
— Vogue Arabia (@VogueArabia) March 1, 2017

However, the vast majority of reactions to the new cover are positive, with particular attention given to Gigi Hadid's portrayal of Palestinian and Palestinian-Americans in the media.

Hadid referred to her Palestinian heritage on her Instagram account, saying: "Being half-Palestinian, it means the world to me to be on the first-ever cover(s) of Vogue Arabia, and I hope that this magazine will show another layer of the fashion industry's desire to continue to accept, celebrate, and incorporate all people & customs."

Gigi is the daughter of Mohamed Hadid, a multi-millionaire real estate developer based in Los Angeles, and his ex-wife Yolanda, a Dutch-born American former model.

Vogue Arabia's editor-in-chief is Saudi princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz. She praised Hadid's work, saying, “The collage of countries across the Arab world are long-deserving of a place in fashion history and there’s no better first ‘face’ to lead the charge for Vogue Arabia than Gigi, a model who defines tomorrow’s entrepreneurial and dynamic generation.”

The first issue of Vogue Arabia will be published in both English and Arabic, and will be available across the Arab world, along with several European cities, on March 5th.