Style
ICYMI: Adut Akech is The Ultimate Cover Girl In i-D Magazine’s Icons and Idols Issue
Adut Akech landed yet another major magazine cover. The modelling supernova stuns in effervescent neon looks from Moschino, Haider Ackermann, Versace, Jeremy Scott, Fendi, Bottega Veneta , Balenciaga with accessories from Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Y/Project, the Attico and Christian Louboutin on the cover and in the fashion spread of i-D Magazine‘s ‘Icons and Idols’ spring summer 2020 issue.
Adut gets candid with her mentor and ‘fashion mama’ , the icon Naomi Campbell on what the future holds and her journey so far.
On her experience as a black woman in the fashion industry and changes since she started
This is only my fourth year working as a model, but in those four years I’ve seen a lot of change. The biggest change we can all acknowledge is that the industry is getting more diverse. When I started – when I made my debut — there were so few other black girls, and now there are so many. There are models of colour from so many places around the world working in the industry now, and it’s incredible to see. It makes me so happy.
On her work with the UN Refugee Agency
It’s obviously clear what drives you to give back. But I find that the hope you give is such a powerful thing. It was something I had always wanted to do, before even modelling, and now I just want to do it more than ever. I actually want to start my own foundation, my own organisation – it’s something deep in my heart. I don’t know what the exact steps are going forward, but I have a lot of support.
On winning the 2019 British Fashion Awards Model of the Year
I mean I was incredibly proud to have some of the most important people in my life there – you and Edward and Pierpaolo [Piccioli]. I love Pierpaolo so much, he’s such a special being. You all have such a special place in my heart. I said this in my speech, you’re my family. I’m not great at reading from a script, writing a speech: I stutter, I mess up. So, with that speech, I just let my heart speak. That award felt bigger than me. That award felt like it was for every single little boy and girl, every woman and man, anyone that finds representation and validation in the work I’ve done. If little girls see me on social media, and get inspired, then that award is for them. I want to inspire other black girls to do this.
Click here for the full feature in i-D.
Photo credit: i-D Magazine
Credits
Interview @Naomi
Text @felixlp
Photography @studio_jackson
Styling @sarrjamois
Editor-In-Chief @alastairmckimm
Creative Director @lauragenninger @studio191ny
Casting director @samuel_ellis for DMCASTING.
Cover Image: Adut Akech at @thesocietynyc wears swimsuit @itsjeremyscott.
