{"id":70843,"date":"2026-11-04T16:35:35","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T21:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/?p=70843"},"modified":"2026-11-04T21:30:14","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T02:30:14","slug":"the-graduates-fatou-kebbeh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/the-graduates-fatou-kebbeh\/","title":{"rendered":"The Graduates: Fatou Kebbeh"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='row' id='cover'>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-12 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/011_5430_V3_4x5_HR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" \/>\n  <\/div>\n<div id=\"covertitle\">\n<h3>The Graduates<\/h3>\n<h1>Fatou Kebbeh<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n#content .row {max-width:100%}\n#cover { \nbackground-color: white; position: relative; margin: 0 auto 30px auto;; text-align: center; \n}\n#covertitle, #covertitle h1, #content #covertitle h3 { \ncolor: white;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\", sans-serif; \n}\n#covertitle { \nposition: absolute; bottom: 2%; width: 100%; font-size: 3.8rem; font-weight: 900; \n}\n#content #covertitle h3 { \nfont-size: 8vw; line-height: 12vh;\ntext-transform: uppercase; \n}\n#covertitle h1 { \nfont-size: 12vw; \ndisplay: inherit; \n}\n#content div.post h2 {margin: 20px 0; background: white; font-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; color: #333;}\n@media (min-aspect-ratio: 1\/1) {\n    \/* Styles for tablets in landscape *\/\n   #cover img {width: 70% !important;}\n   #content #covertitle h3 { font-size: 4vw;}\n   #covertitle h1 { font-size: 6vw; display: inherit; }\n}\n#introbox { border: 1px solid white; padding: 90px 30px !important; max-width: 850px; margin: auto !important; font-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center !important; }\n.introblurb, .introblurb p, .post div.introblurb p:first-child {\nfont-size: .7em; \nline-height: 1.6; \ntext-align:justify;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\", sans-serif;\npadding: .3em 1em;\n}\n#content div.introcredits, #content div.introcredits p {\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\", sans-serif;\nfont-size: .8em; \n}\n.pic40 { margin: 2% 10%;; text-align: center; }\n.videocontainer {max-width:600px; margin: auto;}\n.txtbox { \nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-Book\",sans-serif; \nline-height: 2;\nfont-weight: 400; \nwidth: 36%; \nborder: 0; \nmargin: auto; \npadding: 5%;\n}\n.pullquote {\nfont-size:4vw;\nline-height: 1;\ntext-align:center;\nfont-style:italic;\nmax-width:900px;\nmargin:auto;\npadding:1em;\nfont-family: \"SuisseIntl-SemiBold\",sans-serif;\n}\n.credits:empty {display:none;}\n.credits {\nfont-size: .75rem; \npadding: 2rem 0;; \nfont-weight: normal; \ntext-align: center; \nclear: both; \ntext-transform: uppercase; \nmax-width: 800px; \nmargin: auto; }\n#thumbsul { margin: 0 8%; }\n.text-left {text-transform: capitalize !important;}\n#thumbsul a, .text-left a {color: black;}\n#thumbsul a:hover, .text-left a:hover {color: #666;}\n.separ { border: 1px solid white; clear: both; margin: 60px; }\nem {color: #999;}\n.introcredits em {margin-right: .35em;}\n.txtbox p {margin: 0 0 1.5em 0;}\n.txtbox p:last-child {margin-bottom: 0;}\n<\/style>\n<link type=\"text\/css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/css\/sb\/f9defe4b9aca4767cc8a4f9e8a8731fa33a8f40b.css\"\/>\n<!-- mdc font Suisse --><\/p>\n<div class=\"txtdiv\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"introbox\">\n<div class=\"introblurb\">\n<p>For over a decade, Models.com\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/tag\/the-graduates\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Graduates series<\/a> has served as a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have consistently performed at the highest levels, graduating from rising newcomers on the Hot List to the Top 50&#8217;s most recognizable faces. Stars like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon, Vittoria Ceretti, Selena Forrest, and Sora Choi, to name a few, have all taken part in the milestone series, which marks a defining shift in a model\u2019s career. With major bookings across editorials, campaigns, lookbooks, and runways, these models have secured their places among fashion&#8217;s most sought-after talents, working with leading luxury houses and influential creatives while continuing to make their mark on the global stage.<\/p>\n<p>For the 2026 edition, Models.com headed back to Paris during the whirlwind of Fashion Week to capture this year&#8217;s graduating class through the lens of photographer <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/valentin-herfray\">Valentin Herfray<\/a>, with styling by <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/dara-allen\">Dara<\/a> and looks exclusively from LVMH Prize finalist <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/de-pino\">De Pino.<\/a> Beyond the images, the cast sits down with the Models.com team to reflect on their unexpected beginnings, career-defining moments, the designers and photographers who have shaped their journeys, and what lies ahead as they cement their positions as the next generation of leading faces in fashion.\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"introcredits\">\n<p><em>Photography<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/valentin-herfray\">Valentin Herfray<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Stylist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/dara-allen\">Dara<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Collection<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/de-pino\">De Pino<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Hair Stylist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/sarah-jo-palmer\">Sarah Jo Palmer<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Makeup Artist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/julian-stoller\">Julian Stoller<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Manicurist<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/sylvie-vacca\">Sylvie Vacca<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Movement Director<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/gabriele-esposito\">Gabriele Esposito<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Video Director &amp; Art Direction<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/marcelgitard\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marcel Gitard<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/en__mode\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">En Mode<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Video Director of Photography<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/maximeberger_\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maxime Thiolet Berger<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Editor-in-Chief<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/stephan-moskovic\">Stephan Moskovic<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Editorial Director<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/irene-ojo-felix\">Irene Ojo-Felix<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Interviewer<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/irene-ojo-felix\">Irene Ojo-Felix<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Production<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/360_pm\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">360PM<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/management-artists\">MA + Group<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Producers<\/em> Jocelyn Rummler and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/juliachelou\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Julia Lellouche<\/a><br \/>\n<em>1st Assistant Photographer<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/remiprocureur\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">R\u00e9mi Procureur<\/a><br \/>\n<em>2nd Assistant Photographer<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/joshuaredlinger\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joshua Abecassis<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Digital Tech<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/romainboe\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Romain Bo\u00e9<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Retouching<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/inkretouch\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">INK<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Styling Assistants<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/monaantabli\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mona Antabli<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/masziaa\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maszia Oettgen<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Tailor<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/carolesavaton\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Carole Savaton<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Hair Assistants<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/celinel_muha\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Celine Lanclume<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/aimeric_hair\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Aimeric Amiot<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tois_hair\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Taisiia Povalii<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Manicure Assistant<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lemakeupdisa\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Isabelle Guyon<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Special Thanks<\/em> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/christopher-michael\">Christopher Michael<\/a> at Egos &amp; Icons<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"videocontainer\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-top: 80%;\">\n  <iframe\n    src=\"https:\/\/customer-3i7jy10gxs89s0iu.cloudflarestream.com\/9a9c198e7cd6bedf45bbcff9dcd34688\/iframe?muted=true&#038;preload=true&#038;loop=true&#038;autoplay=true&#038;poster=https%3A%2F%2Fcustomer-3i7jy10gxs89s0iu.cloudflarestream.com%2F9a9c198e7cd6bedf45bbcff9dcd34688%2Fthumbnails%2Fthumbnail.jpg%3Ftime%3D%26height%3D600\"\n    style=\"border: none; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%;\"\n    allow=\"accelerometer; gyroscope; autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;\"\n    allowfullscreen=\"true\"\n  ><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p>Since opening Marni&#8217;s S\/S 25 show, Gambian model <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/models\/fatou-kebbeh\">Fatou Kebbeh<\/a> has built an impressive portfolio, securing a coveted Prada exclusive and walking for some of fashion&#8217;s leading houses, including Givenchy, Gabriela Hearst, and Tom Ford. Her success has extended into campaigns, developing a relationship with Ferragamo that has led to her return to work with the Italian house on its recent Pre-Fall 2026 campaign. Yet a career in fashion was never part of her original plans. Growing up in The Gambia, Kebbeh was encouraged by a schoolmate who recognized her potential and introduced her to a scout connected to her mother agency, Beth Models. \u201cActually, it was never in my plans,\u201d she recalled. \u201cDuring my school time, there was this girl who always discussed it with me, \u2018Oh, I think you need to be a model. You have the heart. You can do it.\u2019\u201d That encouragement manifested her onto a path that would eventually take her to the international runways of New York, Milan, and Paris.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pic40\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/010_5123_V1_4x5_HR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"pullquote\">&#8220;It was never in my plans [to be a model]. During my school time, there was this girl who always discussed it with me, &#8216;Oh, I think you need to be a model. You have the heart. You can do it.'&#8221; <\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-12 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/010_5088_V1_16x9_HR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p>Now based in London, Kebbeh has spent the past two years navigating the demands of an increasingly busy career. \u201cIt was actually good though, but sometimes it&#8217;s difficult too,\u201d she admitted. \u201cBecause traveling from different countries all the time, it&#8217;s so stressful.\u201d While she enjoys editorial work, the runway remains her favorite part of modeling, particularly the friendships and connections she has made along the way. Despite her commanding presence on the catwalk, Kebbeh describes herself as naturally shy, a contrast to the playful personality her fellow models encounter backstage. Away from fashion, she enjoys shopping and cooking, and makes a point of returning to The Gambia during the holidays. \u201cI just love being home,\u201d she said. As one of the few Gambian models working internationally, Kebbeh also hopes to create opportunities for the next generation of talent in her home country. Recognizing the limited infrastructure available to aspiring models in The Gambia, she has ambitions to establish her own agency. \u201cI wish to start it too so I can bring models from Gambia, maybe to Lagos, maybe to Europe.\u201d For Kebbeh, the next chapter is not only about building her own career but also creating a pathway for others to follow.<\/p>\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-7\" id=\"thumbsul\">\n<li id=\"thumb-achol-kuir\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-achol-kuir\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/015_7299_V4_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/013_5869_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Achol Kuir<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-alaina-rae\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-alaina-rae\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/016_7708_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/016_7486_V5_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Alaina Rae<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-emeline-hoareau\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-emeline-hoareau\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/002_0640_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/003_1538_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Emeline Hoareau<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-fatou-kebbeh\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-fatou-kebbeh\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/011_5430_V3_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/010_5088_V1_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Fatou Kebbeh<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-frauke-nijs\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-frauke-nijs\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/005_3662_V5_EXT_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/004_3411_V5_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Frauke Nijs<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-lauren-huyskens\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-lauren-huyskens\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/009_4877_V5_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/009_4952_V4_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Lauren Huyskens<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"thumb-saar-mansvelt-beck\"><a href=\"\/mdx\/the-graduates-saar-mansvelt-beck\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/008_4439_V6_1x11_HR.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2026\/11\/007_4281_V4_1x11_HR.jpg\" style=\"display:none\"\/><br \/>\n        Saar Mansvelt Beck<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\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 Fatou Kebbeh For over a decade, Models.com\u2019s The Graduates series has served as a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have consistently performed at the highest levels, graduating from rising newcomers on the Hot List to the Top 50&#8217;s most recognizable faces. Stars like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon, Vittoria Ceretti, Selena [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":70798,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3044,99,2701,4257,1538,3066],"tags":[1177,3144,5946,5109,5947,2554,5943,5689,5945,5417,197,5944,2739,4278],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70843"}],"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\/71"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70843"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70843\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70922,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70843\/revisions\/70922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70843"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70843"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70843"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}