Gigi Hadid may have dominated the fashion landscape last year, but little sister Bella Hadid is proving she’s just as unstoppable.
In August 2016, Bella celebrated a major career milestone: her first French Vogue cover—the September 2016 issue—shot by the legendary duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott alongside fellow it-girl Taylor Hill.
The images were unveiled online in mid-August, with Bella herself sharing the news on Instagram on August 16. By the time the issue was officially released on August 24, 2016, the internet was already in full-blown meltdown mode over the striking editorial.
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While Bella may have been busy “freeing the nipple” for her French Vogue spread, she remained fully covered up as she walked through the Los Angeles International Airport to catch a flight.
Bella Hadid covered her hair with a hat and a hood as she arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on August 17, 2016 (Credit: WENN)
Bella wore a cropped hoodie from Chrome Hearts with a pair of “Twiggy” ripped skinny jeans in black from James Jeans.

Bella Hadid Elevates Her Airport Look With Balenciaga’s Cult “Ceinture” Cutout Boots
The American model finished her no-nonsense airport look with a cap from Hardware LDN, a “Barcelona” belt by B-Low the Belt, a Givenchy “Lucrezia” duffel, and Balenciaga’s cult-favorite “Ceinture” cutout boots—an Italian-made, biker-inspired style distinguished by its polished calfskin, graphic side cutouts, and signature mixed-metal buckle straps.

👢 Explore Celebrity Moments Featuring Balenciaga Boots
- ✨ Who Looks Best in Balenciaga Boots: Ashley Tisdale or Kylie Jenner? — A closer look at how two style stars wear the cult-favorite “Ceinture” buckle boots.
- 🎬 Ciara Slays in Mini Skirt and Balenciaga Over-the-Knee Boots — Featuring the brand’s bold, sculptural denim OTK silhouette.
- 👜 Kim Kardashian Masters Monochrome in Alaïa and Balenciaga “Knife” Boots — A sharp, ultra-sleek take on one of Balenciaga’s most iconic boot shapes.
- ✈️ Rihanna Steps Through LAX in Balenciaga Ankle Boots — Airport style that proves a great pair of boots can anchor even the most casual look.
The young model added a splash of color to her outfit by tying a plaid top around her waist.
Yolanda and Anwar Hadid Join Bella for a Proud Family Moment at LAX
Bella’s mother, Yolanda, who joined Bella on her trip to Los Angeles along with Bella’s brother, Anwar Hadid, also expressed her pride in her daughter’s modeling milestone.

Any guesses as to who Bella shared her French Vogue photos with first?
No, it wasn’t fellow model, it-girl, and older sister Gigi that saw the photos first. Instead, Bella first shared the pictures with her boyfriend Abel (The Weeknd).
You can order the Balenciaga “Ceinture” cutout boots on Farfetch and Mytheresa.


To wrap up, here are a few Bella Hadid shoe and style stories readers often enjoy exploring next — ideal if you’re in the mood for more model-off-duty looks, street-style moments, and designer footwear inspiration.
👠 Explore Bella Hadid’s Best Shoe & Style Moments
- 📏 Bella Hadid’s height and shoe size, revealing how she uses heels, boots, and streetwear staples to elongate her 5’8″ (172.7 cm) frame.
- ✨ A look at Bella Hadid’s footwear evolution, from designer stilettos to the edgy boots that helped shape her fashion identity.
- 👟 Her standout Milan & Paris Fashion Week off-duty shoe moments, spotlighting sneakers, lace-up booties, and her go-to street-style favorites.
- 👢 The Off-White hiking boots moment, where Bella turned technical footwear into a full-blown street-style trend.


