DUBAI: Imaan Hammam turned 27 this week and she certainly had a lot to celebrate. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle The Moroccan-Egyptian-Dutch model, who opened for a Givenchy runway show at just 17-years-old and landed her first Vogue cover before turning 18, has accomplished more in the past few years than many models achieve during their entire career. Hammam, who was born to a Moroccan mother and an Egyptian father in the Netherlands, began her birthday celebrations with a lengthy note to herself that she shared on Instagram. “Dear Imaan,” she began her letter, sharing a childhood picture of herself and a recent image of her on a boat. “This year is all about self-love and healing your inner child. Be as kind to yourself as you are to others. Be patient with yourself.” “Life can be overwhelming but always remember god has you! You’re on the right path. Life is so precious so be grateful for every moment you have been given on this earth,” she wrote. Fellow model Cindy Bruna, US fashion designer Jeremy Scott and her younger sister Aisha took to their Instagram stories to celebrate the model’s special day. “Happy birthday to this beautiful soul, love you so much, so proud of you,” her sister wrote, while Bruna wrote: “Love you, Happy Birthday sis,” captioning a picture of Bruna and Hammam at a fashion event. The model celebrated her special day with a small picnic with close friends. As she was heading to the park, Hammam shared a short video of herself on Instagram wearing a yellow top, jeans hot shorts, a Louis Vuitton purse and a picnic bag. “Its my birthday,” she said in the clip. Her friends gave her flowers to celebrate her birthday. She put her candles on a chocolate cake covered with pistachios and decorated with three giant roses in the center. Hammam is one of the most in-demand models in the industry. She has appeared on the runway for major fashion houses such as Burberry, Fendi, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Moschino, Balenciaga and Carolina Herrera, and starred in international campaigns for DKNY, Celine, Chanel, Versace, Givenchy, Giorgio Armani, and Tiffany & Co.