Gigi Hadid covers the first ever issue of Vogue Arabia

The 21-year-old supermodel says it “means the world” to her

The half Palestinian model shared the cover on Instagram

Supermodel Gig Hadid will feature on the first ever cover of the new Vogue Arabia, it has been announced.

The 21-year-old model, who is half Palestinian and half Dutch, shared the cover on Instagram where she said that the appearance “means the world” to her.

“I think the beautiful thing about there being international Vogues is that, as a fashion community, we are able to celebrate, and share with the world, different cultures,” she wrote.

“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 and make everyone feel like they have fashion images and moments they can relate to... & learn and grow in doing so.”

Appearing in a beautiful bejewelled veil, the model was chosen by Vogue Arabia editor-in-chief and Saudi princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, who says on the publication’s new website that Hadid “defines tomorrow’s entrepreneurial and dynamic generation.”

Vogue’s 22nd international edition, Vogue Arabia launched online this autumn but yesterday marked the debut of its first-ever print issue.

It will be distributed in several Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.