{"id":58292,"date":"2021-10-21T13:00:06","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T17:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/?p=58292"},"modified":"2023-05-02T08:50:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T12:50:15","slug":"the-graduates-abdulaye-niang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/the-graduates-abdulaye-niang\/","title":{"rendered":"The Graduates: Abdulaye Niang"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='row' id='cover'>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-12 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_23_v1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2522\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-58240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_23_v1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_23_v1-1280x1614.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_23_v1-159x200.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"covertitle\">\n<h3>The Graduates<\/h3>\n<h1>Abdulaye Niang<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n#content .row {max-width:100%}\n#cover {\nbackground-color: white;\nposition:relative;\nmargin: 0 auto 30px auto;\ntext-align:center;\n}\n#covertitle, #covertitle h1, #content #covertitle h3 {color: white;}\n#covertitle {\nposition: absolute;font-family:'Neue Haas Unica W01',helvetica,sans-serif;\nbottom: 12%;\nwidth: 100%;\nfont-size: 4rem;\nfont-weight:900;\n}\n#covertitle p {}\n#covertitle h1 {display:inherit;}\n#content #covertitle h3 {font-size:1.7rem;}\n#content div.post {color:black;}\n.post p, .post div p:first-child {padding:0}\n.coverpic {max-width:1280px;padding: 4%;margin:auto;}\n#introbox,.txtbox,.introblurb {text-align:justify;}\n.introblurb,.introblurb p {line-height:1.6;}\n#introbox,#creditbox {border:1px solid white;padding:90px 30px !important;max-width: 850px;margin: auto !important;}\n#introbox, #introbox p {font-family:'Neue Haas Unica W01';}\n#introbox{font-size:20px;text-align:center !important;}\n#introbox .introcredits {font-size:.85rem;}\n#introbox, .introcredits {font-family:'Neue Haas Unica W01', sans-serif;}\n#introbox,.txtbox,.rside {margin:0px 0 10px 0}\n#introbox,.rside {font-weight:300;}\n.title {font-size:4.2rem;color:black;font-weight:normal;margin:auto;padding:60px 0;text-align:center;text-transform: capitalize;font-family: 'Neue Haas Unica W01';font-weight: 400;}\n.title a {color:black;}\n.subtitle {margin:auto;padding:60px 0;text-align:center;font-size:.8em !important;}\n.photogtitle {font-size:2rem;}\n.pullquote {font-size:1.8rem;text-align:center;font-style:italic;max-width:900px;margin:auto;padding:20px;font-family: 'Neue Haas Unica W01';}\n.txtdiv {padding: 0 40px;clear:both;}\n.txtbox {font-family:'Neue Haas Unica W01', sans-serif;font-weight:400;width:36%;border:0;margin:auto;padding: 10% 10% 20% 10%;}\n.txtbox strong {font-weight: 700;}\n.credits {font-size:.95rem;padding:2rem 0;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;clear:both;text-transform: uppercase;max-width: 800px;margin: auto;}\n.subcredits {font-size:.9rem;}\n.separ {border:1px solid white;clear:both;margin:60px;}\n.center {text-align: center;}\n.center img {max-width: 80%;}\n.pic40 {width:60%;margin:2% 20%;text-align:center;}\n.fullwidth {max-width:100% !important;margin-top:20px;}\n.videodiv {height:auto;width:auto;background-color:white;padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;max-width:1280px;}\n#content div.post h2 {margin: 20px 0;\n    background: white;\n    font-family: \"Helvetica Neue\";\n    font-size: 2rem;\n    color: #333;}\n<\/style>\n<link type=\"text\/css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/\/fast.fonts.net\/cssapi\/1ee7eecc-8318-40d7-9f60-2840770611c0.css?1\"\/>\n<!-- mdc set, L Futura W01,Linotype Didot W01,Neue Haas Unica W01 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"txtdiv\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"introbox\">\n<div class=\"introblurb\">\nSince 2013, Models.com\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/tag\/the-graduates\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Graduates<\/a> series has been a visual celebration of the model muses who\u2019ve cemented themselves as faces of noteworthy praise in editorial, advertisements, lookbooks, and runways. Through insurmountable rejection and just as many wins, these muses have locked down luxury clients while rising through the ranks from the Hot List to the top working models in the World, during the pandemic no less. Shot in New York through the lens of photographer <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/jon-ervin\">Jon Ervin<\/a>, this year&#8217;s list stands as a testament to the fashion industry&#8217;s tenacity.<\/p>\n<p>Visit his <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/models\/abdulaye-niang\">Models.com page<\/a> and click or tap the Lists button <i class=\"fa fa-heart-o\"><\/i>to favorite Abdulaye and <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/lists\/\">keep track<\/a> of his work.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"introcredits\">\n<h3>Photography by <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/jon-ervin\">Jon Ervin<\/a> for Models.com<\/h3>\n<p>Styling &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/rebecca-dennett\">Rebecca Dennett<\/a><br \/>\nHair &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/ro-morgan\">Ro Morgan<\/a> | Makeup &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/jaleesa-jaikaran\">Jaleesa Jaikaran<\/a> | Nails &#8211; Kuniko Inoue<br \/>\nModel &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/models\/abdulaye-niang\">Abdulaye Niang<\/a><br \/>\nPhotographer Assistant &#8211; Vita Burn | Stylist Assistants &#8211; Alia West and John Dunham | Makeup Assistant &#8211; Eunice Kristen<\/p>\n<p>Editor-in-Chief &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/stephan-moskovic\">Stephan Moskovic<\/a><br \/>\nText &#038; interview by <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/irene-ojo-felix\">Irene Ojo-Felix<\/a><br \/>\nProduction &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/sasha-grinblat\">Sasha Grinblat<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Above credit &#8211; Jacket &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/sandro\">Sandro<\/a> | Sweater &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/alexmillny\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alex Mill<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"pic40\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_11_v1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2522\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-58235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_11_v1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_11_v1-1280x1614.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_11_v1-159x200.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"credits\">Suit and shirt &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/thom-browne\">Thom Browne<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p>Model and creative Abdulaye Niang is not here to compromise himself for a fleeting moment. With his trademark locs, the New Yorker is instantly recognizable as soon as he hits the runway walking for Off-White, Pyer Moss, J.W. Anderson, Fendi, and Tommy Hilfiger or in campaigns for Loewe. When he was younger, he would discuss with his mother the possibility of modeling but it wasn\u2019t until he craved to escape Staten Island&#8217;s suburbs that he took things seriously and got signed walking into RED Models in 2016. \u201cI got here being on myself and sticking to my guns,\u201d he defines. \u201cYou&#8217;ve got to follow your organic path because there&#8217;s going to be a lot of things that try and corrupt that.\u201c <\/p>\n<div class=\"pullquote\">&#8220;You&#8217;ve got to follow your organic path because there&#8217;s going to be a lot of things that try and corrupt that.&#8221;<\/div>\n<p>When Models.com asked models last summer \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/sea-of-voices-50-models-come-together-to-break-ceilings\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What does it mean to be black in fashion?<\/a>\u201d Niang was one of 50 voices that narrated to us the struggles he found working in the modeling industry. \u201cMe being a black man they ask, \u2018Do you want to cut your hair for this job?\u2019\u201d Niang reveals. \u201cI wrote a poem [for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CCUHl15jz3x\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Love Magazine<\/a>] about how much of an oxymoron it is being a black person and desirable one moment and just slept on the next.\u201d While he mentions that the recent ascent of black creatives he admires like Virgil Abloh is a needed first step to address inequality, he questions if models organizing into a union might be the only way to progress. \u201cWe definitely need more people in the background just making sure we&#8217;re all good but I feel like that&#8217;s partly our job too,\u201d Niang intreprets. \u201cWe&#8217;re supposed to learn these things, evolve, and get into these higher-up positions.\u201d\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pic40\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_10_v1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2522\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-58234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_10_v1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_10_v1-1280x1614.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_10_v1-159x200.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"credits\">Jacket &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/sandro\">Sandro<\/a> | Sweater and scarf &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/alexmillny\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alex Mill<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p>Assessing how quarantine forced fashion to take stock of its faults, Niang rationalizes that its ultimate lesson was not depending on one thing, creatively speaking. \u201cArtistically, I feel like a lot of people got inspired and reached that new level while a lot of people fell into stagnation because they&#8217;re only used to one thing and that humbled a lot of people.\u201d His unisex sportswear brand, Kill Complacency is made up of jerseys and T-shirts, channels New York grit, and turns to inspiration from as abstract as Martin Scorsese, Nas, and mob movies. \u201cI love clothes. I feel like I was put here to get my creative flow and just move around with it.\u2019 He shoutouts good friend <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/models\/fisher-smith\">Fisher Smith<\/a>\u2019s brand <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sinclairglobal\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sinclair<\/a> as an inspiration of the possibility within the streetwear scope. \u201c[Sinclair is] living proof that you can apply yourself to projects and it&#8217;s really grown with him. I&#8217;m seeing it turn into influence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pic40\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_8_v1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2522\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-58233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_8_v1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_8_v1-1280x1614.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/MODELSDOT_POLAROID_8_v1-159x200.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"credits\">Suit and shirt &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/thom-browne\">Thom Browne<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"small-12 columns\" id=\"thumbs\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n<h2>The Graduates<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"small-block-grid-2 medium-block-grid-5\" id=\"thumbsul\">\n<li id=\"thumb-ajok-madel\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-ajok-madel\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/AjokThumb.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/AjokThumb2.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n  \tAjok Madel<br \/>\n  <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-james-turlington\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-james-turlington\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/JamesThumb.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/JamesThumb2.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n  \tJames Turlington<br \/>\n  <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-indira-scott\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-indira-scott\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/IndiraThumb2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/IndiraThumb.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\nIndira Scott<br \/>\n  <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-abdulaye-niang\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-abdulaye-niang\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/AbThumb1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/AbThumb2.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n  \tAbdulaye Niang<br \/>\n  <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-kyla-ramsey\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-kyla-ramsey\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/KThumb1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2021\/10\/KThumb2.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n  \tKyla Ramsey<br \/>\n  <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"separ bottom\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\n$(\"[id^='thumb-']\").hover(function() {\n    $(this).find('img').toggle();\n});\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Graduates Abdulaye Niang Since 2013, Models.com\u2019s The Graduates series has been a visual celebration of the model muses who\u2019ve cemented themselves as faces of noteworthy praise in editorial, advertisements, lookbooks, and runways. Through insurmountable rejection and just as many wins, these muses have locked down luxury clients while rising through the ranks from the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":58377,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3044,155,2701,4257,1538,3066],"tags":[2935,2554,4023,4020,4021,4022,4026,3103,197,2739],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58292"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58292"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58418,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58292\/revisions\/58418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}