With a Moroccan mother, an Egyptian father, a Dutch upbringing and a name reminiscent of the greats (Iman Abdulmajid and Chanel Iman), we predict big things for 18 year old Imaan Hammam. Like Iman she’s bagged an American Vogue cover, appearing as the only new face among a sea of supers, sandwiched in between Edie Campbell and Fei Fei Sun, like Chanel she’s stalked the Victoria’s Secret runway (one of only 10 new faces to make it to the Pink Ball last December) and like both she’s proved her props as both an editorial and commercial star. Discovered at 14 at Central Station in Amsterdam and going on to become the face of Givenchy, we’ve placed all bets on her…
What would you be doing if you weren’t modelling?
I would probably still be in school getting my degree in fashion.
How do you feel about being a Givenchy muse?
I feel very honoured to be a Givenchy muse. Riccardo Tisci gave me the opportunity to open for his show in Paris spring/summer 14, and we have been working together ever since.
Tell us about the day of your i-D shoot…
The day of my i-D shoot was very hot, we went to the desert of Palm Springs. Shooting with Zoe Ghertner for the first time was great. She’s such a young energetic human being, very easy to work with.
How did it feel to be the only new face on the US Vogue cover with Joan, Karlie, Cara et al?
To be the only new face was kind of scary actually. Joan, Karlie and Cara are all big girls. I was very thrilled to be part of the September issue, it was my first cover shoot so I was really happy when I got the call.
Jourdan Dunn is the first black model to appear solo on the cover of British Vogue in 12 years. Have you ever experienced racial discrimination in the industry?
That’s really amazing for Jourdan Dunn, I’m proud of her. I never had any racial discrimination experiences in the industry myself. I do know some ”coloured” girls that experience this daily in the fashion industry though, it makes me very sad. It’s 2015 and I feel like we should use more ”coloured” girls and boys. The future is bright, full of colour. A change is gonna come, as Sam Cooke said.
Do you think more can be done to encourage diversity within modeling?
Of course, there are a lot of ways to change diversity within the business. If you look at designers like Givenchy, Balmain, Jean Paul Gaultier (to name a few) they are all using mixed models.
What was your first reaction when you heard you were going to be in the Victoria’s Secret show?
My first reaction when I got the call was “OMG is this a joke?!” After a few minutes I realised it wasn’t. I called my mum and she started crying because she was so happy to hear that my dream was about to come true.
What went through your mind as you were walking the VS runway?
Walking the VS runway was amazing, the adrenaline inside my body went crazy. Lights, music, cameras everywhere and the crowd went nuts. It was such a spectacular experience.
When do you feel sexiest?
I feel most sexy when I wake up. My hair is messy and going every direction haha.
Do you ever get insecure?
I do. I think everyone gets insecure or is insecure about something.
What were you like in school?
School times were great! I wasn’t really into school but I was studying fashion and I was really in to that, I really like fashion. I was always the tallest and the funniest.
Are you in love?
YES.
What’s your idea of a perfect date?
My idea of perfect date is a picnic date, at night, watching the stars together.
What’s the last song you got stuck in your head?
The Weeknd – Earned it.
What’s your favourite film?
City Of God!
When was the last time you cried?
When I was on the plane flying to Los Angeles, I was watching The Fault In Our Stars.
What was your highlight of 2014?
I have a couple of highlights! The first one I think was my sister having a wonderful baby girl called Nora May, the second one must be the Vogue cover, The Victoria’s Secret Show and of course the Givenchy campaign for spring/summer 15.
What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
My New Year’s Resolution for 2015 is working on a major sixpack, getting my driving license and learning Portuguese.
Credits
Text Felicity Kinsella
Photography Zoe Ghertner
Styling Tracey Nicholson
Hair Nikki Providence at Jed Root for L’Oréal Professional.
Make-up Saraï Fiszel at Jed Root.
Photography assistance Katelyn Reeves.
Styling assistance Holly Gorst.
Production Total Production.
Production assistance Jordan Jolliff.
Location sourcing Meghan Gallagher at Connect the Dots.
Model Imaan Hammam at Viva London.