What do you get when you cross a world-famous supermodel with one of the industry’s leading denim experts? It probably looks a little something like FRAME’s brand-new collaboration with Amsterdam-born model and ‘She’s The First’ ambassador Imaan Hammam. Walking us through a day in her world, the model tells us about everything from designing the collection to her failsafe techniques for maintaining good energy throughout the day.

What time do you wake up and where?

On days that I’m not working, I wake up at 9am in my apartment in New York.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning? 

First thing I do in the morning is go on my phone, open up my Spotify and play one of my playlists depending on my mood. Today I listened to J Hus’ new album. After I put on music I grab my yoga mat and do a 15 minute yoga session to start the day off with some good energy.

Who do you share your home with?

I share my home with me, myself and I.

What does your average day look like?
I don’t really have an “average day” but when I do have a day off at home I like to take time for myself, read, listen to podcasts and organise my apartment.

Do you have any rituals?
I water my plants and I light up a candle and palo santo to get good energy moving around my apartment. I also meditate right after I wake up for a few minutes to start the day in a good headspace.

When it comes to getting dressed, how would you describe your style?
My style depends on my mood that day and how I feel. It varies from cool and casual and sexy when I want to be, to smart and professional when I have castings or meetings.

How did the FRAME collaboration come about?
My mom was a seamstress and she taught other women how to sew, so design has been an interest of mine since I was a kid. I was always interested in fashion, even before I was a model. I’ve always been a fan of FRAME denim - I often have a hard time finding the right fit, but FRAME has a lot of options for me. Through the fashion industry I’ve gotten to know Erik [Torstensson, co-founder of FRAME] and we’ve become friends. I loved the collaboration FRAME did with Jordan Barrett, so I brought the idea of having my own collaboration to Erik.

What was it like to be on the other side of the design process?
I loved being on the other side for a change. In the beginning I went through my own closet and found the pieces I can’t live without, shared my creative inspiration with the founders and created moodboards.

Did you have anyone in mind whilst designing the collection, a particular woman or a muse?
I wanted the collection to be comfortable and chic for all types of women, and even men, as most of the collection is unisex and I love menswear.

Who do you look to for design inspiration and why?
Of course I love some of the established names in fashion like Balenciaga, Loewe and Dior, but I am also very inspired by up and coming designers in the MENA region such as Kenneth Ize who I met during ARISE fashion week in Lagos, Nigeria.

What are the most important factors in your work?
It was very important to me that the clothes were wearable and reflected my personal style, which is a mix of cool, sexy and smart. But I also wanted the clothes to have meaning, so I chose powerful words: diversity, freedom, youth and empowerment.

What are your go-to tunes for when you’re out and about?

I go on Spotify to a playlist called African Heat. It’s a fun upbeat playlist that keeps me energized all day. Life Is Good by Drake and Future is a song I like a lot right now.

Whilst working, where do you go and what do you do to take a break? 

If I’m not working my favourite place to be is the beach… somewhere warm.

What’s on your bookshelf right now?
I’m a global ambassador for ‘She’s The First’, a non-profit organization that fights gender inequality through education, and currently I’m reading Half The Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn and I Am Malala to further educate myself on issues that girls are facing around the world.

How do you like to spend your evenings?
When I’m at home I like to chill, light some incense and relax. I’ll listen to music, watch a documentary or listen to a podcast.

What time do you go to bed?
I travel so much it depends on what time zone my body is in!

Last thing you do before you go to sleep?
If I have the energy I do yoga, but if I’m tired sometimes I’ll meditate or just listen to music.

Interview by Georgia Graham