Oumie Jammeh may not be a household name yet, but the up-and-coming model is headed toward supermodel stardom. She walked the runway for the very first time last month, and her debut season has proven to be unprecedented. Jammeh has walked in over 25 fashion shows for top designers like Prada, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and Versace. Oumie Jammeh is living the kind of life most models dream of.
“I’m living and breathing fashion right now,” shared Jammeh during a rare moment between shows. She has emerged as one of the season’s top faces, appearing at Miu Miu, Valentino, Givenchy, Altuzarra, and Loewe last week alone. In a way, it feels like destiny. Unlike most models who are scouted on street corners, Jammeh knew from day one that she was meant for the catwalk. “Since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a model,” she says, and she took the initiative to reach out to agencies in her hometown of Stockholm once she turned 18.
Inspired by Naomi Campbell’s legendary walk and the glamour of the supermodel era, Jammeh brings a bit of the same energy to her work. She is graceful with a commanding presence that belies her age, and her strut has already earned plenty of admirers. Trained in dance with a speciality in dancehall, she’s spent the season providing an energetic alternative to the uniformity often seen on the runway. Here, the Gambian beauty talks working with her fashion heroes and what she’s learned during her whirlwind month.
On pursing her childhood dreams
“I always knew that being a model would mean that I would have to work hard, but if you are passionate and willing to walk the distance, you will reach your goal. The people I have met on my journey so far have been incredible. Like most girls, I always liked wearing nice designer clothes, but I developed a genuine interest in fashion when I started modeling. Seeing the designers work so hard on their collections is inspiring.”
On working with fashion’s biggest names
“When I first got the news that I would be walking the Versace show, I had no idea that I would be surrounded by those supermodels. I guess dreams do come true! I’m so totally grateful. The team at Prada was amazing [as well]; we had so much fun backstage before the show. I got to meet the incredible [British Vogue editor in chief] Edward Enninful, whom I truly hope to work with in the future.”
On meeting her idols
“When I got to meet Victoria Beckham for the first time—that’s a moment that I will never forget. It was [also] crazy-amazing to work with someone whom I admire, like Naomi [Campbell]. I was in shock and still am.”
On her ultimate supermodel inspiration
“Naomi [Campbell] is my favourite model because I loved watching her as a little girl and still admire her today. She was the first model I’d heard of when I was still living in Gambia. Her presence both on the catwalk and off is captivating; her style and career are admirable. She worked so hard to get to the top and is still working hard for what she wants. Such an inspiration and role model.”
On the benefits of her dancehall training
“[In modeling] it’s an advantage to be a dancer because then you know how to move, know different expressions, and you’re not afraid of getting out of your comfort zone. I love to dance, so when I’m not working, you can always find me in the dance studio.”
On her most memorable fashion month mishap
“For my first show in New York, I accidentally arrived at 6am when the call time was 6pm! [I was there] 12 hours before the call time. I’m not used to the 24-hour clock!”
Height 5 9.5/176 CM Bust 30/ 74 CM Waist 24.5/ 59 CM Hips 34.5/ 85 CM
Dress 2 Shoe 7.5/38 EU Hair BLACK Eyes BROWN
