This cover story appears in V130’s SUPERNOVA SUMMER ISSUE on sale now!

Writer and supermodel-magnet Derek Blasberg catches up with Imaan Hammam about the qualities that matter most to her, her favorite moments

in fashion, and her dreams for the summer season ahead.

Derek Blasberg: Where are you right now this second?

Imaan Hammam: Right now, I am back home in Amsterdam for Ramadan.

DB: If you are listening to music, what song is playing?

IH: The song I’m listening to the most right now is, “Brothers On the Slide” by Cymande.

DB: This story was all about swimsuits. Are you a one-piece or a two-piece kind of girl?

IH: I am BOTH!

DB: Where is your favorite beach in the world?

IH: My favorite beach is the Gouverneur Beach in Saint Barths.

DB: Obviously, you’re genetically gifted. But do you have a secret for looking chic in a swimsuit?

IH: Confidence.

DB: Where were you born?

IH: I was born in Amsterdam, my hometown.

DB: What kind of child were you?

IH: In a word, I would say I was a bold child. I was always chasing adventure; a tomboy that loved being outdoors and playing soccer with the big kids.

DB: I know this is not your first magazine cover. What was?

IH: My first cover was in 2014, for the September issue of American Vogue and was shot by Mario Testino.

DB: How were you discovered?

IH: I was discovered in Amsterdam Centraal Station in 2010. Then in 2013, I went to Paris for the first time for fashion week and I was given the special honor to work and to open the Givenchy show as an exclusive.

DB: Have you had a fashion fairytale moment? If so, what was it?

IH: MANY!!! I am so grateful for everything that has happened in my career, and the people I was able to meet and work with. If I had to pick one moment, I would say [going to] the Met Gala with Zac Posen was pretty fairytale-like.

DB: What qualities do you look for in a friend?

IH: I’d say honesty and loyalty are good qualities in a friend.

DB: What qualities do you look for in a romantic partner?

IH: Again, honesty and loyalty are important to me, and so is respect.

DB: What’s your idea of a perfect day?

IH: I like to live simply—I would say waking up somewhere warm and going for a walk in the park.

DB: What is one thing that you have with you at all times?

IH: I always carry a picture of my mom or my sister with me.

DB: What’s your number one beauty secret?

IH: HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!

DB: Apart from me, of course, who is your favorite writer?

IH: My other favorite writers would have to be Kahlil Gibran or Rumi.

DB: Who is your favorite fictional character from a book or a movie?

IH: My favorite character is Almitra from Kahlil Gibran’s book The Prophet.

DB: Who is your hero in real life?

IH: All the strong women in my family are my heroes.

DB: Have you had any mentors in the fashion industry? Who?

IH: I have! Some of my mentors are Bethann Hardison, Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, and Iman.

DB: What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever gotten in fashion?

IH: The best advice I was ever given was to keep my curls.

DB: I used to love seeing you on the dance floor. When it’s safe to travel and be in groups again, what’s the first thing you want to do?

IH: Obviously, I’d love to go dancing. But I’d also love to take my family on vacation!

 

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