“Not only can I exist but I can thrive.” It has been all about full circle moments for Kai Isaiah Jamal who has bridged the life they dreamed about with their current reality. Growing up in the working-class vibrancy of south London, Jamal embarked on a journey of self-discovery and eventual advocacy amidst a landscape that scarcely mirrored the internal complexities of a young black trans person. In these formative years, Jamal developed as a spoken word artist looking to poetry to redefine the narratives around the spectrum of gender identity, expression and humanity. Along the way, they have become one of fashion’s most in-demand models and what the late Virgil Abloh described as the voice of a generation.

In between gracing the pages of esteemed magazines like i-D and British Vogue, Dsquared2 campaigns, and striding down the London runways of Burberry, Wales Bonner, and Bianca Saunders, Jamal has evolved as an educator and the role model they once sought, fostering awareness on allyship and inclusivity. When they’re not appearing on SBTRKT tracks, they’re touching down on the stage of Vogue100 or being recognized by the British Fashion Council with a nomination for Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards. Shot by Kloss Films, Models.com went for a tour with the trailblazer to learn more about their meteoric rise, how writing can be a grounding force, and carving out spaces where authenticity and acceptance reign supreme.