Imaan Hammam talks Instagram stalking, secret beauty tricks & smelling like oud
Get to know the star of the hotly anticipated Erdem x H&M campaign.
You've seen her on catwalks, billboards and magazine covers, but there's much more to Imaan Hammam than a pretty face and an impressive resume. She's tri-lingual, one of the hardest-working girls in the industry, and has an adventurous – or just fearless – spirit (she dreams of going swimming with great whites!). After just 21 years on Earth, the model is already a veteran with two American Vogue covers and countless campaigns for the biggest high-end and high-street labels in the bag.
Imaan, who was raised in The Netherlands by Egyptian and Moroccan parents (hence speaking three languages), was discovered at Amsterdam's central station at 14. Being the namesake of two supermodels (Iman and Chanel Iman), it was obvious from the beginning that the bright young thing had something special, and during her first season she was tapped as one of Givenchy's muses and, to top that off, Anna Wintour gave her a shout-out in her editor's note.
Next up is H&M's designer collaboration with Erdem, set to hit stores next month, where she's one of the collection's ambassadors. After long days of shooting, Imaan penned down her answers to our top model secrets questionnaire. Here's what you need to know about her!
MY FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE…
"Mario Testino, Zoe Ghertner and Theo Wenner."
IN MY CAREER, I AM MOST PROUD OVER…"I'm proud of where I am now in life, and for the fact I'm able to take care of my family."
MY CREATIVE OUTLET IS…
"My job."
MY MODEL ICONS ARE…
"Liya Kebede, Doutzen Kroes and Jourdan Dunn."
MY BEAUTY SECRET IS…
"WATER, WATER, WATER!"
A FICTIONAL CHARACTER I RELATE TO IS…
"Khaleesi from Game of Thrones!"
THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BEING A MODEL IS…
"Being 'on-call' nearly 24/7. Balancing working and personal life can be difficult."
MY GO-TO SONG AT KARAOKE IS…
"Blow by Beyoncé."
THE QUALITY I LIKE MOST IN OTHER PEOPLE IS…
"Kindness."
I SMELL LIKE…
"Oud [a scent deriving from the tropical Agar tree."
MY FAVOURITE OFF-DUTY LOOK IS…
"Tracksuits and sneakers."
RIGHT NOW, I AM OBSESSED WITH…
"Frank Ocean."
ONE THING ON MY BUCKET LIST IS…
"To go swimming with great white sharks off the coast of South Africa."
THE BEST BEAUTY TIP I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS…
"To use castor oil on your lashes every night before going to sleep."
ONE MYTH ABOUT MODELS I WOULD LIKE TO BUST IS...
"That we do work hard."
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS…
"DOMODOMO on Houston Street in New York."
SOMEONE I STALK ON INSTAGRAM IS…
"SZA."
THE BEST LIFE ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS…
"Whenever something happens that causes disappointment, ask yourself whether you will still care about it in ten years. You’ll probably let a lot of things go, and focus on moving forward."
MY CHILDHOOD NICKNAME WAS…
"Imani."
MY FAVOURITE TV SHOW IS…
"Games of Thrones."
RIGHT NOW, I AM READING…
"The Secret by Rhonda Byrne."
IMAAN HAMMAM
AGE: 21
LIVES IN: New York
DISCOVERED: In Amsterdam's central station at age 14
AGENCY: DNA Model Management