Christelle was shot exclusively for MODELS.com by Lucie Hugary, with styling (fashion, props & set) by Alison Reid, hair by Yumiko Hikage, and makeup by Alexandra Méric using MAC Cosmetics.

interview

Name:
Christelle Yambayisa

Agency:
Premium Models (Paris)
Red Model Management (New York)
FASHION MODEL MANAGEMENT (Milan)
Sight Management Studio (Barcelona)
MUGA Model Management (Hamburg)
DIVA MODELS (Copenhagen)

Age:
23

Height:
5’11”

Instagram:
@christelle.world

Place of Origin:
Born in Rwanda, raised in France

Ethnic Origin:
Rwandan

Birthsign:
Capricorn

How discovered:
In my French city home: I have been asked in the street, in my home town Lyon, if I wanted to be a model. It was in the end of 2014.

What was your first modeling job?
My first Job was the Hyères Festival 2015, and after I did the Zadie & Voltaire parfum campaign.

Favorite things:
I love to communicate, so I love everything about communication; I did a lot of theatre and team sports, I was in a marketing course at school, I have two blogs and I travel a lot. I really love traveling!

What are you listening to at the moment?
’m always listening to French rap… At the moment I love so much Damso and the new album of Orelsan. I still also listening to my favorite songs and groups like FUN., OASIS, ELIAS, FUTURE, Kendrick LAMAR…

Favorite movie, tv show:
Interstellar and I Origine (for movie), Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, 10% (French)

Favorite designer, fragrance or beauty product:
Céline (brand and design), Nina Ricci for fragrance (I have all of them), Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream

What were you doing before modeling?
I was at school in Lyon, at the university. I was student of stratégie and marketing.

What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling?
I’d have my start-up in Inbound Marketing (the idea is still in my mind). 

What’s something uncool that you love anyway?
Spending my time reading about quantum physics… I usually hide the scientific magazines I am subscribed to…

Favorite modeling experience so far?
The first time I met Karl Lagerfeld at Hyères Festival in 2015 (first job) and the 4 days shooting for Armani Beauty Campaign out in 2018.

What’s the best thing about your hometown/country?
Lyon is the best city of France and Paris is hiding this! We have also the best gastronomic French cuisine.

Which brand would you really love to model for?
Céline

Place you would love to visit:
Next stop is Laos

Currently you’re obsessed with/about:
My new video gadget, the DXO ONE!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t be afraid about following your intuition (from my grandmother).