Making waves with a soul-packed vision and an introspective spirit to match, Jibriil Ollow’s self-assurance against a backdrop of mishaps gave him the integrity he’d always sought after. Born in Holland and raised in the U.K., Ollow spent his journey establishing himself at the forefront of the next wave of god-damned people that are permeating society with manipulative means. Deep in conversation, things get frank the moment I summon his thoughts on living in a white-run system. “I guess you could say a black man maneuvering through any space is going to be difficult when the white is the majority and it’s tough because you have to put in way more time and effort than your white counterparts,” he says. Courteous and profound, his words are a fearless statement of intent. “To say that my experience in the fashion industry is a microcosm for the experience of any black person in any white led industry isn’t too far from the truth,” he says.

We sat down with the model and advocate for a moment of calm to unpack fashion, racism, and heritage.

Hey Jibril, cheers for tuning in! Mind introducing yourself to us?

What’s good Fucking Young! I am a Somali model who was born in Holland and moved to the U.K. at the age of five. I began modeling after university, and during this time I was also working as an interpreter for a family court.

Three words to describe yourself.

If I had to describe myself using three words, I would say that I am cultured, imaginative and articulate.

How were you discovered?

I wasn’t really discovered. During university, I felt that I could do modeling since I had been scouted before but wanted to focus on my education at the time. So, I decided one day to call my now mother agency (Wilhelmina), went into the office for a meeting, and signed with them.

What does fashion mean to you?

I guess it means an expression of myself and the influences that shape myself, which I also guess makes the fashion I choose inherently personal. But fashion as a concept also means I can work and travel and make friends and experience things, so as personal and expressive as it is, I suppose it’s also shaping me.

How do you feel being a black man in a predominantly white world? Is it tough?

I guess you could say a black man maneuvering through any space is going to be difficult when the white is the majority and it’s tough because you have to put in way more time and effort than your white counterparts. To say that my experience in the fashion industry is a microcosm for the experience of any black person in any white led industry isn’t too far from the truth.

How did you cope with the racial crisis?

How have you coped with the racial crisis seems like a shallow question because you don’t stop being a POC, this racial crisis is happening every day all over the world to POC and just because there’s a spotlight on it now it doesn’t mean it’s going to stop.

As a model living in modern times how you deal with social media?

I guess you could say relates back to the idea of fashion being personal and influenced by outside sources. On social media, you have to create and morph this image of yourself, especially as a model because it’s your livelihood which could work to your benefit or detriment. I would like to think my head is screwed on enough to understand that it can’t be taken too seriously and in order to use it in a way that doesn’t throw me down a hole of likes and comments I instead have to use it to further find influences I can use in my life.

Who are your biggest influences and why?

My influences change depending on what subjects we are talking about but when it comes to fashion I would say people like Rick James or Lennie Kravitz. Because the femme aesthetic mixed with the strong black male body is something that is ultimately transgressive and empowering to people that recognize themselves in that femme aesthetic.

How much has your culture/heritage influenced your decision?

I suppose you could say it influenced decisions like being independent and loyal and proud of where I and my family have come from. And what has grown out of having a heritage that’s been so persecuted but has remained so rich in culture.

Photographer: Kevin R. Giaquinto @kevinrashidgiaquinto
Stylist: Giorgia Andreazza @giorgiandreazza, Silvia Ottombrina @tiny_idols
Hair: Domenico Papa @domenicopapa
Make up: Elisa Maisenti @credodinomaforselisir
Model: Jibriil Ollow @jibriil at Brave Models @bravemodels
Brands: Yezael by Angelo Cruciali, GIORGIANDREAZZA, Rosa Antica, Tom Rebl, Fendi, HTC Los Angeles, Tony 3DC, C’est Jeanne, PQMV, Armia Yousefi, Myril Jewels.