Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.
Abdourahman Njie (Yagamato) | By Piczo – Image courtesy of Newschool represents
Yagamoto, Movement Director
Hometown/country: I was born in Västerås, Sweden, of Gambian and Senegalese heritage, and I was raised in Southend-on-Sea in Essex, United Kingdom.
Based: Worldwide
Representation: New School Represents
How would you describe your work? What’s your trademark?
I would describe myself as a conductor of energy. Someone who helps coach and builds people into characteristics and emotions they would like to embody.
How did you get into your chosen career?
It all started in my younger days in high school when I was studying performing arts. I then went on to college to study method acting for two years and moved on to university for film school, where I dropped out twice. I then decided to pursue a freelance photography career, which opened up the fashion industry to me; fortunately, a month later, I was signed to a modeling agency called Nii Agency (founded by Campbell Addy). I worked as a model for 3 years and made a few appearances in music videos where I would showcase the physical theatre skills I’d learned from acting school. The clients/production companies I had worked with hired me as a choreographer/movement director and due to the fact I had built beautiful relationships with designers and photographers, I made the transition into a full-time movement director.
What other jobs have you had?
DJ, actor, filmmaker, photographer.
What inspires your creative process and influences your artistic vision?
I love the physical and mental preparation techniques used by athletes, such as mixed martial artists, visualization, mindfulness, meditation, goal setting, and physical strength and conditioning.
How do you approach choreographing movement for a fashion show versus an editorial or campaign?
The method/technique I’ve defined for myself is “MOTO” (meaning movement in Latin), which can be applied in both creative environments. It’s important that the fundamentals are being applied—for example, creating a safe environment, safeguarding the models, building trust and confidence, and allowing people to lean into their vulnerabilities without fear of judgment or being reprimanded for making a mistake. This often creates an environment where people can flourish and perform to their best capabilities, which is a win for everyone involved.
What do you love about what you do?
I love watching people come out of their comfort zones, evolve and flourish.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced professionally?
Racial biases and prejudices.
What’s one thing outside of your work that you would like people to know about you?
I studied catering at a young age and have a profound love for cooking, feeding the masses, and will open up a restaurant one day.
How has the role of movement evolved in fashion over the years, and where do you see it heading in the future?
Understanding the role of a movement director has evolved throughout the years due to myself and my contemporaries making noise. It’s about being more public speaking about our role within the fashion industry and how crucial it is to have us on every set.
Who do you think is one to watch?
I encourage everyone to look at the history of movement, and you will find pioneers of this craftsmanship within the fashion industry, such as Les Child and Stephen Galloway, those who have paved the way for us to exist in these spaces and weren’t recognized for it at the time.
What have you watched/heard/read lately that has inspired you?
Book: All About Love by Bell Hooks
Book: The Kids Were Alright by Ryan McGinley
Documentary: Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos ( The creator of Sopranos)
TV Series: The Bear
Selected Work
Rosalía by Katie Burnett | Image courtesy of New School Represents
Vogue España November 2023 Cover
This image of Rosalía was created in collaboration with photographer Katie Burnett. Rosalía is a phenomenal artist and one of my favorite artists to collaborate with. I was able to use my skills and background in theatre and performance to build characters with her, delve into different emotions, and set intention behind the character that is being played.
By Agnes Lloyd-Platt| Image courtesy of New School Represents
Essential Viewing
This photo was created in collaboration with Agnes Lloyd-Platt. It was a beautiful process of molding different individual energies into one, creating playful unison within the group. The poses were dynamic, with many pointing toward the camera, breaking the fourth wall, and creating a sense of interaction with the viewer.
By Rowben | Image courtesy of New School Represents
Vogue World 2023 Show London
It was an honor to collaborate with Baz Luhrmann on this project and create movement for icons — Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford. These individuals have set the blueprint for modeling and movement, so it was a full-circle moment to develop trust between the five of us and guide them through the movements we had created for the show.
By Imruh Asha | Image courtesy of New School Represents
Paper Monsters
This collaboration was with image-maker and creative director Imruh Asha. We created a series of photos in Salvador, Brazil, for his book titled “Paper Monsters.” The book is comprised of photographs shot by Carlijn Jacobs, Osma Harvilahti, and Asha himself across locations as diverse as Paris, the USA, and Brazil. Swathes of bold-colored paper were torn, crumpled, rolled, and wrapped around the models to create incongruous shapes, fixating the gaze on the strange beauty of the unfamiliar silhouettes within their contrasted settings. Having collaborated with Imruh on previous projects, we have developed a playful language of storytelling when coming together, creating space for improvisation and character-building. In this case, coincidentally, I was on holiday in Brazil, and so was Imruh, he called me for a meeting and explained how he was creating this project and would love for me to be a part of the process. What drew me to this project the most was the spontaneity, willingness, and excitement to showcase that with very little planning and view resources, you can create everything out of anything, anywhere, and everywhere as long as you have your creativity.
Aweng Chuol by Gabriel Moses| Image courtesy of New School Represents
Arena Homme +
This photo was a collaboration between Gabriel Moses and me. Through our work together, we have developed a language that blends all the key components—styling, lighting, and set design—into one, really bringing the image to life. The photo has a moody, cinematic atmosphere, dominated by deep blues and dim lighting. It features two people in a room, with the focus on a person reclining on a bed. Aweng Chuol, dressed in a white shirt, is in a relaxed or contemplative pose, legs crossed, looking upwards while exhaling smoke, which adds a sense of calm or introspection. The bed, draped in white linens, is in the foreground, and the dark blue carpet enhances the cool, intimate tone of the scene. In the background, near a tall window with shutters, there’s a second figure standing in the shadows. The other model, dressed in dark clothing, is almost silhouetted, blending into the dimly lit surroundings. The room’s light comes faintly from the window behind them, casting reflections and adding depth to the composition.
