interview

Name:
Helene Selam Kleih

Agency:
Nevs (London)

Age:
21

Height:
5’9.5″

Instagram:
@heleneselam

Place of Origin:
Born in the outskirts of Paris but have always lived in South East London

Ethnic Origin:
½ Eritrean, ½ German

Birthsign:
Aquarius

How discovered:
I spent a year abroad in France and friends from Paris suggesting signing to an agency, so thought what’s better than joining the London Nevs family.

Favorite things:
I love interviewing and writing about amazing people on the arts scene at the moment. And finding a good pub in the sun and chilling with some good music and friends.

What are you listening to at the moment?
Solange and Dev Hynes – they give life to any day. And of course all my old school J Dilla and 2000’s r’n’b girls (Brandy, Monica, Tweet)

Favorite movie, tv show:
Paid in Full is a classic for me. But recently I loved watching Almodóvar’s Julieta.

Favorite designer, fragrance or beauty product:
Pink Vaseline – very basic but it’s the go-to for chappy lips and straightening out my curly brows! Cacharel’s Anaïs Anaïs perfume was given to me as a kid in Paris one Christmas and I’ve had to have it since.

What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling?
I’m in my final year of an English and French literature degree and hoping to go into Arts journalism at some point- but we’ll see where the world takes me…

What’s something uncool that you love anyway?
Porridge – I make funky creations for friends and fam, it’s become a bit of an obsession – should probably make a recipe book.

Favorite modeling experience so far?
I loved shooting for Nadine Ijewere -I’ve been a fan for awhile so it was wicked to even just chat with her. Her photos always come out so beautifully.

What’s the best thing about your hometown/country?
I miss the diversity of South East London – Brixton, Camberwell, Elephant&Castle. I just love people watching, going to the market and just cycling around on my Mango bike. Also nowhere does cider better than England.

Which brand would you really love to model for?
I would love to model for DKNY, Alexander Wang and EVISU if they were to release some new jeans (I’m hinting).

Place you would love to visit:
Zanzibar. I’d love to just chill on the beach with locals. East African culture has so many diverse cultures that are even very different from my mother’s Eritrean culture. I’d love to experience and learn more about my neighbouring countries.

Currently you’re obsessed with/about:
I’m part of Gal-dem magazine – an online and print creative magazine for women of colour and it was amazing taking over the V&A art museum in London this month. All the contributors are making waves in their respective fields, and the zine is going from strength to strength, it’s become more of a collective, a family – I can’t wait for what’s next.