Somali-American model Ugbad Abdi covers the December 2024 issue of Vogue Netherlands. In a rare and unique, large photoshoot, Ugbad introduces us to her siblings — not for the first time — but rare nevertheless.

They include her sister Hani Abdi — with whom she modeled in Vogue Arabia’s 2022 Ramadan issue. Ugbad’s other siblings include Mushin Abdi, Naimo Abdi and Suwayda Abdi. Sonny Groo [IG] styled the 30-page presentation with images by fellow Brooklynite creator and photographer Wikkie Hermkens [IG].

On a special note, AOC is organizing our extensive writing on Ugbad, to pull out and highlight the ones most focused about her own and her family’s journey in English. Or where I’ve already done my homework, which is the case with Ugbad Abdi. We have robust archives on her.

Going to the beginning of her archives on Models.com, AOC notes that her first ‘portraits’ were by Hermkens and Groo. No wonder they are so over the moon with this most well-done, large and family-focused fashion story on Vogue Netherlands. Additionally, it’s their first Vogue story that they’ve created as a team.

Our global holiday spirit of ‘ubuntu for all’ is running wild in this major statement by Vogue Netherlands. This American woman is very grateful for their timely investment in the world’s better angels. The more I read about the creative effort, the more synchronicity I find vibrating in these images.

Ugbad appeared in i-D Magazine’s spring 2019 issue styled by Carlos Nazario and lensed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch with five other models. Next stop Valentino Couture. And then she was off to the Valentino I was looking for: Moncler 1 Pierpaolo Piccioli F/W 19 Presentation. We’ll add all these links, as a ‘life of Ugbad Abdi’ overview.

On a personal note, I’ve always been so very impressed with Ugbad’s grace in getting her point across. She’s not quick to condemn the industry, unlike other models — mostly wanna-be models— that come to mind.

Ugbad feels that successfully wearing her hijab for the world’s most luxurious brands has given her a very strong voice — even in Paris where niqãbs and burquas are banned in public places. Hijabs, which do not cover one’s face, are not banned.

In her own words, the girl from Des Moines, IA [Anne country] sees herself as a light of conviction and promise:

"I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing that young girls dare to pursue their dreams, because I am proof that they can come true. I know like no one else how important it is to feel like there's a place for you in the world. "