Kai-Isaiah Jamal: “London Informs Every Part of Me”

The model sits down with Rudy Simba Betty for a conversation about style, identity, and being a muse to Wales Bonner. KAI-ISAIAH JAMAL: “LONDON INFORMS EVERY PART OF ME” In this FRONTPAGE story as part of [Not in London]( , acclaimed model Kai-Isaiah Jamal sits down with stylist Rudy Simba Betty for an intimate conversation about style, identity, and being a muse to Wales Bonner. [READ THE FULL ARTICLE]( A British Fashion Awards nominee for Model of the Year in 2023, a member of the Business of Fashion 500 since 2002, and figure whom the late Virgil Abloh once told Vogue was the “voice of their generation,” Kai-Isaiah Jamal is no stranger to getting their flowers. And not just for the work they do on runways or in front of the cameras, but also for the multi-hyphenate creative’s tireless commitment to activism, inclusion, and visibility. Whether it’s the vocal stance on trans rights (Jamal has publicly called out the UK government for trans cleansing) or the importance of Black creatives being able to take ownership of (and tell) Black stories or the critical role that the ghetto fabulous plays in their fashion education, Jamal embodies their values very fully. And perhaps it’s that intentional approach to living exactly as they are that has made relationships with the likes of Grace Wales Bonner even more empowering. “Grace really knows how to listen and really knows how to learn and is not scared about things that maybe haven't crossed her mind before,” they said of fashion’s designer-of-the-moment. “I could go on forever about how much I respect her as a creative, as a woman of color and as a young designer who's stuck with it and is now seeing the real fruits of her labor.” On that same British Fashion Awards red carpet, Betty and Jamal collaborated with Bonner on a bespoke tuxedo that featured a sash embroidered with the words somewhere we live forever . For many models, it might be enough to show up to one of fashion’s biggest nights in custom Wales Bonner. But not for this trio. Jamal added that “being able to wear Grace, being able to tie in the sash element with poetry, it was a love of letter to Blackness and to queerness and to transness.” Jamal called in from London and Betty from Paris to discuss everything from the impact of Busta Rhymes, how London informs their creativity, the first time they met Grace Wales Bonner, and what it really means to put on your Sunday’s best. (There may have even been a Da Brat reference.) in this article, for brevity and clarity, is an edited excerpt of their conversation. [READ THE FULL CONVO]( Words by Chadner Navarro Photographed by Meinke Klein Styled by Billy Lobos   FROM OUR BRAND PARTNERS [MASSIMO OSTI STUDIO OPENS THE BOOK ON CHAPTER 1]( [BURNA BOY DRIPS IN DOUBLE DENIM WITH G-STAR]( [LATEST STORIES]( [SNEAKER TRENDS]( [STYLE]( [CULTURE]( [BEAUTY]( [SHOP]( Download the Highsnobiety App [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Discord]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Facebook]( © 2023 Highsnobiety, Genthiner Str. 32-34, Berlin 10785, Germany This email was sent to {EMAIL}. You can [unsubscribe]( from this list. [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms & Conditions]( | [View In Browser](