In conversation with Djamila Mavuela.

Whether she’s seeking out her inner child or dedicating her time to modeling, writing, drawing, or painting with textile, finding a sense of purpose is what continues to drive Djamila Mavuela both personally and professionally. With her liberating spirit and irresistible sense of fashion here, the French-Congolese beauty talks with us about her journey as a model and creative.

“Fashion is in our blood and we just need to find the right way to show to the world how big our culture is through every creative outlet.”

Please could you introduce yourself?

My name is Djamila, and I am based in Paris. I was born in Congo in the capital of Kinshasa. I grew up mainly in France, Paris and Strasbourg. I won't call myself an artist but more a creative who has a big polyamory love story with art. I'm a model, I draw, paint with textile, and I love to write. I'm also into dancing and expressing myself with my body, but I'm not a dancer. Lastly, I'm into digital marketing.

How did your career as a model begin?

I tried something different and shaved my hair when I was sixteen years old. Since then, my friends pushed me to look more into modeling, and from there on, I got a few opportunities with art students, fashion students, and small designers.

I opened up an Instagram account and started posting my work. With my best friend, I went to fashion week and got more exposure, and I got more opportunities in the industry for a few magazines as well print and online.

What place does Congo have in your fashion identity? 

As a Kongolese woman, even far away from the motherland, I have never been disconnected from the culture. As we've seen with slavery, when Kongolese were deported to Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and America in everything they did, the culture, the ancestors were in it. 

I grew up surrounded by my aunties, who were always very elegant and stylish.

My parents were my very first fashion icons, and I have always been into fashion. They introduced me to designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Marc Jacobs, Jean Paul Gaultier, Yohji Yamamoto, and many more. Basically, because of this background, it felt very natural for me to step into fashion and dream about having a job in the industry or leaving a trace in it. 

Many people don't know about our history with fashion because, unfortunately, we don't have mainstream platforms that celebrate creatives on a bigger scale. Compared to countries such as Senegal, Nigeria, there is more attention for it.

Thanks to Sapology, the dandy culture, fashion is in our blood, and we just need to find the right way to show the world how big our culture is through every creative outlet.

How do you think working in an environment that is all about beauty and looks shapes you? 

Working in this type of environment, it's very much me. It's my identity. I don't know if I have a curse because of the meaning of my name. Since my childhood, I've also been inspired by my uncle. He's a contortionist polyglot and artist, and he opened my mind to Japanese culture even though Congo and Japan have an extensive history together for decades. 

My dad is an intellectual and an excellent writer and drawer. When I started to understand my creativity, I liberated myself, and it helped me a lot to communicate and share my passion and vision of the world with other people. It could be superficial, but being involved in beauty is magical and can be a part of your growth despite its bad sides.

What is your perfect day off when you are not modeling?

My perfect day off consists of waking up early doing some workouts, drinking a smoothie (soya milk, moringa, frozen banana, and mango), putting some skincare on, and watching K-Drama until the end of the day and if it's sunny going out for the sunset or golden hour.

Have you encountered push-back or resistance from any segment of the industry?

Never let anyone talk to you as if you were a piece of shit. Never give up and open yourself to more. Don't be stuck in this industry. It can drain your energy. Find your inner child, speak to her and live peacefully.

In addition to being a creative, you use fashion as a form of expression. How important is fashion to you? 

I wouldn't say it's important even though I like to dress and be presentable. Dressing up is in my genes, and wearing colors, for example, can help your mental health. Yet again, we live in a sad society where you can pretend to be someone you are not if you dress well.

I dress for myself; wearing clothes is a way to express my ideas. It's about my journey as a creative when I'm mixing shapes and colors. It's just me, a regular girl who is addicted to clothes.

Above all, I like fabrics, prints and the shape of certain clothes. I prefer the craft part of fashion like high couture more than just regular fashion.

What's the biggest lesson you've learned so far?

My father gave me the biggest lesson that I have never forgotten. "never forget where you come from" my father always used to say this. In this industry, I always have it in the back of my mind. I'll still be the same no matter how big the job or opportunity is. It is super essential for me to stay humble.

Clothing Titsstore

Photography Amanda Elise K

Make-up Laura Yard