{"id":147929,"date":"2022-09-01T12:31:22","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T16:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=147929"},"modified":"2023-03-18T17:47:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-18T21:47:23","slug":"kukua-williams-went-from-working-at-a-supermarket-to-securing-six-covers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/kukua-williams-went-from-working-at-a-supermarket-to-securing-six-covers\/","title":{"rendered":"Kukua Williams Went From Working at a Supermarket to Securing Six Covers"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.centerimg {padding:4em 7em;margin:20px 0;}\n.centerimg2 {padding:4em 4em;margin:20px 0;}\n.centerimg3 {padding:4em 3em;margin:20px 0;}\n.sidetxt {padding:16em 2em 16em 2em;;margin:20px 0;}\n.centerimg img {margin-bottom:0px;}\n.instagram-media {margin:auto !important;}\n#wp-content hr {margin: 40px auto 80px auto;width: 80%;}\n<\/style>\n<p><strong>The thought of modeling constantly roamed around British model <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/models\/kukua-williams\">Kukua Williams&#8217;<\/a> mind, but as she grew up, it remained a daydream until she got discovered at a festival. Fast forward three months later and Williams had her runway debut walking for <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/miu-miu-miu-miu-ss-19-show\/985129\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Miu Miu\u2019s S\/S 19 show<\/a> and then things really started turning up. During the same year, she worked with top creatives like <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/i-d-magazine-i-can-feel-another-rush-coming-on-feel-it-in-my-body-all-night-long\/1013767\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Campbell Addy<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/i-d-magazine-joy-as-an-act-of-resistance\/1019020\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nadine Ijewere<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/le-monde-m-magazine-la-rvolution-afro\/1012136\">Oliver Hadlee Pearch<\/a> for publications like <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/client\/i-d-magazine\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">i-D<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/client\/le-monde-m-magazine\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">M Le magazine du Monde<\/a>. With campaigns for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CewQRiEtP4Z\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Celine<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/erdem-erdem-fall-winter-2021\/1468006\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Erdem<\/a> and five solo covers for <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/document-journal-document-journal-winter-2021-resort-2022-covers\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Document Journal<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/harpers-bazaar-uk-harpers-bazaar-uk-september-2020-covers\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Harper&#8217;s Bazaar UK<\/a>, and more, Williams earned her seat on Models.com\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/rankings\/ui\/TheHotList\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Hotlist rankings<\/a>. We spoke to the <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/hedi-slimane\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Hedi Slimane<\/a> muse about overcoming imposter syndrome, some of the most memorable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BzGl7xnlLRt\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> shows she walked for<\/a>, and her next set of dream collaborators she&#8217;d like to work with.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"centerimg\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2022\/08\/Screen-Shot-2022-08-31-at-6.02.31-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"894\" height=\"894\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-147942\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2022\/08\/Screen-Shot-2022-08-31-at-6.02.31-PM.png 894w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2022\/08\/Screen-Shot-2022-08-31-at-6.02.31-PM-640x640.png 640w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2022\/08\/Screen-Shot-2022-08-31-at-6.02.31-PM-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 894px) 100vw, 894px\" \/><br \/>\n<small> Celine\u2019s Les Grands Classiques social media campaign, photographed by Hedi Slimane | Image courtesy of Premier Model Management <\/small>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Did you always want to be a model? Tell us about how you were discovered.<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen I was younger, I subconsciously loved fashion &#8211; I had pictures of models on my walls, but being from a small town up North [in the UK], you&#8217;re not introduced to that world unless you have the means to get there. So it was kind of a secret pipe dream I had. I always thought maybe I&#8217;d take myself off to London and see the agencies when I was older, but I went to university instead. Luckily I got scouted in my final year at a festival, and I was working in Sainsbury&#8217;s (supermarket) at the time. It almost felt like I&#8217;d manifested that moment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You were recently featured in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CewQRiEtP4Z\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Celine&#8217;s Les Grands Classiques social media campaign<\/a>. How was it like working with Hedi Slimane for that shoot?<\/strong><br \/>\nWorking with Hedi was an unforgettable experience. It&#8217;s inspiring to work with someone with a clear vision who cares about every detail. From styling to photography, he&#8217;s a true visionary. You really do feel like a Celine woman when shooting with him.<\/p>\n<div class=\"centerimg\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2022\/08\/KUKUA_WILLIAMS_BROWNS_FASHION_Ph.Raffaele-Cariou.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1280\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-147934\" \/><br \/>\n<small> Browns Fashion, photographed by Raffaele Cariou | Image courtesy of Premier Model Management <\/small>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>What has been your most memorable moment modeling so far?<\/strong><br \/>\nI have so many, honestly! But the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BzGl7xnlLRt\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jacquemus S\/S 20 show<\/a> in the lavender fields was pretty breathtaking and did stick out as one of the top moments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You worked alongside<a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/bryan-liston\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Bryan Liston<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/sarah-richardson\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sarah Richardson<\/a> for the first time for <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/document-journal-document-journal-winter-2021-resort-2022-covers\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the Document Journal Winter 2021\/ Resort 2022 Covers<\/a>. What was it like working alongside that creative team for the cover? <\/strong><br \/>\nI love the magazine and was over the moon when I got the cover. Sarah told me the concept, and I loved embracing the cool, strong 90&#8217;s aesthetic. I think it clicked, and I love the pictures. It&#8217;s nice seeing a different version of myself.<\/p>\n<div class=\"centerimg\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2022\/08\/KUKUA-WILLIAMS_DOCUMENT_Journal_Ph.Bryan_Liston.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1598\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-147937\" \/><br \/>\n<small> Document Journal Winter 2021\/ Resort 2022 Covers, photographed by Bryan Liston | Image courtesy of Premier Model Management <\/small>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>What is one of the biggest challenges you&#8217;ve faced in your career, and how did you move past it? <\/strong><br \/>\nWhen I first started modeling, I felt a bit of imposter syndrome in this entirely new world &#8211; I think it&#8217;s vital to remember, though, to stay grounded and realize people appreciate those differences in you that sometimes might make you feel like an alien! <\/p>\n<p><strong>You walked for <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/client\/paco-rabanne\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Paco Rabanne<\/a> for the first time for their<a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/paco-rabanne-paco-rabanne-ss-23-show\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> S\/S 23 Show<\/a>. How was that experience for you?<\/strong><br \/>\nI thought the show was incredible, and having a major look helped! The design and craftsmanship that went into my multi-color latex dress were exceptional. <\/p>\n<div class=\"centerimg\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2022\/08\/KUKUA_WILLIAMS_PACO_RABANNE_SS23_Ph.Daniele-Oberrauch_-Gorunway.com_.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1920\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-147935\" \/><br \/>\n<small> Paco Rabanne S\/S 23 Show | Image courtesy of Premier Model Management <\/small>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Last year, you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CMH02TNANUs\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">wrote<\/a> about your traumatic racist experience in an Italian airport and a culmination of racist situations you&#8217;ve faced as a black model, such as hairstylists not knowing how to handle your hair. How would you say the industry can improve at being more inclusive? <\/strong><br \/>\nI&#8217;m happy to see inclusivity be considered much more in the industry, even in the short time I&#8217;ve been in it. However, I feel it shouldn&#8217;t have to be considered and should come more naturally. Seeing more people of color in vital roles in brands, agencies, and magazines is integral in helping change the industry from the inside out, not just surface level.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Brendan Freeman curated a flower fairytale-like atmosphere for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Cf6VbCWNvPH\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lula Magazine Spring\/Summer 2022 Cover Issue 31<\/a>. What were your highlights from that shoot? <\/strong><br \/>\nWhen you get out of the car on the morning of a shoot, you never really know what to expect, but to arrive in the Kent countryside in the most beautiful setting, I knew it would be a great day. I&#8217;m obsessed with nature, so to be part of a concept where I can be in cohesion with it is a dream. And luckily, I don&#8217;t have hay fever! <\/p>\n<div class=\"centerimg\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2022\/08\/KUKUA-WILLIAMS_LULA_MAGAZINE_Ph.Brendan_Freenman.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1558\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-147938\" \/><br \/>\n<small> Lula Magazine editorial, photographed by Brendan Freenman | Image courtesy of Premier Model Management <\/small>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Who are your dream brands or collaborators to work with in the future?<\/strong><br \/>\nA tricky one! I love wearing <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/client\/martine-rose\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Martine Rose<\/a> at the moment! So that could be cool. Maybe also another <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/client\/miu-miu\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Miu Miu<\/a> moment could be fun! And I&#8217;m always hoping for more covers (something to show the grandkids.)<\/p>\n<p><strong>What other interests do you have aside from modeling?<\/strong><br \/>\nAnyone who knows me knows I love a good boogie and karaoke session, even though I&#8217;m awful at singing! I&#8217;ve also recently joined a hiking club as I love to be outdoors as much as possible, usually with my dog Fernando.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CWG4gpANMqI\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CWG4gpANMqI\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CWG4gpANMqI\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Kukua (@kukuawilliams)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--pp-thumb-start--><!--PictPress found no dir \/2022\/09\/147929--><!--pp-thumb-end--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The thought of modeling constantly roamed around British model Kukua Williams&#8217; mind, but as she grew up, it remained a daydream until she got discovered at a festival. Fast forward three months later and Williams had her runway debut walking for Miu Miu\u2019s S\/S 19 show and then things really started turning up. During the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":450,"featured_media":147934,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10414,16,13940],"tags":[12072],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147929"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/450"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147929"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148021,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147929\/revisions\/148021"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=147929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}