drag

Hey, I Like Your Style! Exploring the wardrobe of New Zealand-based model, Yasmin Mohamud

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAMIIRA WALI

WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT

“I’ve gained more confidence in how I dress because I don’t shy away from anything. [I wear what] I want to wear, no matter what.”

We know personal style is a journey (I’m looking at you, Tumblr years), so we’ve introduced a new series Hey, I Like Your Style!, diving into the fashion psyche of our favourite creativeabout s. We’re talking the good, the bad and the 2007.

While the internet has made our fashion icons feel closer than ever before, even the most effortless of outfits came from a closet with some (well-dressed) skeletons. Clickable product tags, photo archives and lives chronicled in 30-second clips just don’t tell the full story.


For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.


These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our own personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story.

This week, we’re delving into the personal style journey of Somali model and student, Yasmin Mohamud. Like so many of us, Yasmin’s personal style journey began on the internet. Finding fashion influences on Instagram and Pinterest, she slowly began moulding her wardrobe into the curated contemporary-yet-modest collection it is today. Below, she reflects on her style journey so far.

Who are you and what do you like to wear?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by yasmin (@yasminemohamud)


My name is Yasmin Mohamud. I am a Somali Hijabi model and student podiatrist living in New Zealand. I like to wear things that make me feel the absolute best… my outfits and how I dress add to my confidence.

What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?

I started caring about my style and the clothes I wore in mid-high school. I went through many stages trying to figure out what I wanted my style to be. I explored a few different styles and bit by bit, I figured out the things I liked and things I didn’t enjoy wearing as much. My style evolved by getting a lot of inspiration from the people around me and from creators on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest… they helped me explore the [fashion] dos and don’ts to help create my personalised style.

While figuring out my style, one key factor has always stayed the same: the modesty in my clothes. I wanted the clothes I wore not only to reflect [my personal style] but also to have my values attached to them. Living in a Western country, I didn’t dress like the average Kiwi.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by yasmin (@yasminemohamud)


Being a Hijabi, it was a bit more of a challenge trying to find pieces up to the standard of modesty I wanted to showcase in my style. This led to me being more creative with what I wear. I feel like right now, I’m at a point where I know what my style is.

In the end, my current style is just [a culmination of] the many iterations of my wardrobe. My style is still developing and I’m slowly curating unique pieces to showcase what I like. Over the years, I’ve gained more confidence in how I dress because I don’t shy away from anything. [I wear what] I want to wear, no matter what.

Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by yasmin (@yasminemohamud)


With the pressures of society and the specific expectations put on Muslim women… people try to fit us in a particular box and set certain expectations for us. Still, I’ve never felt the need to fit in one specific box. I’ve always been confident enough to do things at my own pace and have always dressed with my own modest goals in mind. From a young age, I’ve learned I [like to] dress in many styles. This has helped me express myself.

Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by yasmin (@yasminemohamud)


Oh absolutely. I’ve worn many questionable things, which I hope never to relive. I didn’t know how to pair patterns or textures together. It was pretty tragic, but all in all, I’d like to think those terrible choices have shaped my fashion sense into what it is today. There’s been somewhat of a positive change from those fashion regrets.

What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?

The most expensive item in my wardrobe would be my $360 platform Doc Martens that I’ve been obsessed with. They just work so well with so many outfits, the best addition to anyone’s wardrobe. The least expensive item in my closet right now is a beautiful long-sleeve shirt I recently thrifted for $15.

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by yasmin (@yasminemohamud)


In my culture, it’s a tradition for many Somali mothers to gift their daughters gold jewellery when they’re born… one of my favourite and most meaningful pieces is the gold earrings my mum gifted to me when I was first born. I wear them all the time and I never get sick of them.

What’s in your cart at the moment?

Four skirts from Minga London and this stunning cashmere sweater from a local store. Obsessed with these pieces, to say the least.

What fashion piece are you saving for right now?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by yasmin (@yasminemohamud)


The draped skirt and draped top from Paris Georgia are two gorgeous pieces I’ve been eyeing for a while and need in my closet.

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

My most worn item right now is this unique vintage skirt. It just fits so well and elevates all my outfits

Who are your favourite local designers?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by yasmin (@yasminemohamud)


My current fave local brand is Jasmin Sparrow Jewellery… such beautiful accessories.

See more of Yasmin’s dynamic outfits here.

Lazy Loading