Tami Williams - Jamaïcaine - 1m79 - 76/56/86
Agences
Elite
Elle France
5 décembre 2014
Takay
Vogue Usa
Avril 2015
Craig McDean
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves” (William Shakespeare). Embodying that steadfast resolve stands rising star, Tami Williams, who knew early on exactly what she wanted and persevered until her dreams became her reality. The Jamaican, statuesque stunner walked in an impressive 42 shows this past runway season (her 3rd) from Marc Jacobs to Alexander McQueen capturing the attention of many with her poised presence. Her recent editorial work in American Vogue showcases her with the best in the business from Peter Lindbergh and Craig McDean to Grace Coddington. What her images and runway jaunts fail to show you is her sweet disposition and charming humbleness or her appreciation for all the talents that make fashion happen. Tami talked to us about unleashing her brilliance when she’s in front of a camera, her first runway experience, and what’s keeps her grounded. Where did you get your start? How did you get discovered? I was discovered in Jamaica at the age of 11 but I was too short. So my agent told my mom to have me come back at 13; I entered a competition called Fashion Face of the Caribbean and won second place. Did you ever think about being a model before that? Yes, since I was young I always thought, “I want to be a model!” Naomi Campbell was the first model I saw that inspired me to become a model; that era of supermodels completely changed the world of fashion. My mom finally told me one-day “OK, you really want to be a model? I’m going to take you to Deiwght (Peters of Saint International)”. That’s how he found me. How are you juggling your career while still going to school? Does your schedule ever clash? As of yet it hasn’t clashed too badly. It’s kind of challenging but when I’m home I attend extra classes so I can catch up on things that I may have missed when I wasn’t in school. You had a great season! What was your favorite show to walk in? I don’t have one favorite! I have a lot of favorites. It was a pleasure walking for Calvin Klein as I love Francisco’s designs. I’ve truly loved being able to walk for so many designers and travel at this young age because everyone doesn’t get this opportunity. What was your first show? My first show was Alexander Wang as an semi-exclusive. At first, I was a bit nervous because it was my first show ever but during the show I was so happy and thankful for that moment. It was a good feeling. Are there any designers that you really love to wear? It’s amazing to get the chance to wear beautiful things and travel but I recognize it’s a privilege thanks to my job. I love accessories, especially handbags! I’m still more the little girl that would dress up in heels. Where’s your favorite place to go in the World? Paris! I love the Tuileries and shopping at the Champs-Élysées! How was it being on location with Peter Lindbergh and Grace? Was it a difficult location to shoot in? How was the mood of everyone? Firstly, I couldn’t believe when I got confirmed because my dream was always to be in the pages of American Vogue. Every shoot is a great experience and I was so excited to be working with Peter Lindbergh and Grace Coddington. Grace is really a sweetheart and she made sure I was comfortable on the shoot. The mood was all happiness. We all knew what it meant to be shooting for American Vogue. For me, it was like a dream. The shoot was extremely fun and it was amazing to shoot with such an amazing team and models, including one of my best friends Kai (Newman) who is also from Jamaica. How do you feel about your recent single girl shoot with Craig McDean for Vogue? How was the atmosphere working with him and Grace Coddington? I really feel extremely blessed and grateful to have had the experience of working with Craig and Grace for American Vogue, especially for a single girl story so early in my career. Working with Grace again was really good and I learned so much from her. They are all clear on what they wanted and how the shot will look. They are very hard workers and I have so much respect for them. The atmosphere on set was very comfortable and nurturing. Sometimes I pinch myself and wonder if this is really happening. What’s one thing about you that might surprise people? I like making people happy and making others smile. I have four sisters and I’m the second born. My sisters tell me “I want to be like you when I grow up” so I feel good that I’m a role model not only to people on the street but for them too. It means a lot to me. What’s one thing you want to accomplish? I would love to get a cosmetics campaign. It would be such a huge honor to represent the brand as one of their spokespersons because it reaches a broader audience. I hope one day to get to a level where I can use my voice to help others in need. Who do you admire the most? I would say my family and my mother agent because if it wasn’t for them pushing me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. models.com
Show list, let me know if I'm missing something Hiver 2015 TOTAL : 42 New York 10 CALVIN KLEIN MARC JACOBS RALPH LAUREN BCBG MAX AZRIA JASON WU PUBLIC SCHOOL DKNY EDUN TORY BURCH ANNA SUI London 7 PETER PILOTTO ANTONIO BERARDI ERDEM MARY KATRANTZOU TOPSHOP UNIQUE SIMONE ROCHA SIBLING Milan 12 MSGM GIAMBA BLUMARINE MARCO DE VINCENZO BOTTEGA VENETA JIL SANDER DOLCE & GABBANA MISSONI N.21 FAUSTO PUGLISI FRANCESCO SCOGNAMIGLIO ANTEPRIMA Paris 13 LEMAIRE ROCHAS BALMAIN BARBARA BUI ROLAND MOURET BARBARA BUI CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS MAIYET KENZO ACNE STUDIOS MAISON MARGIELA VALENTINO ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
Tami Williams SS15 TOTAL: 26 SS15 MILAN/PARIS:17 OPENED: 1 | CLOSED: 2 New York 3.1 Phillip Lim ADEAM Calvin Klein Edun Jill Stuart Richard Chai Love London Edrem Gilles Marios Schwab (C) Milan Dolce & Gabbana DSquared2 Emilio Pucci Genny Giamba Les Copains Sportmax Paris Andrew Gn Balmain Dries van Noten Esteban Cortázar Hermes Kenzo Lanvin Maison Rabih Kayrouz (O) Maxime Simoens Vionnet
As the curtains come down on the fall 2014 collections in the all-important fashion markets of New York, London, Milan, and Paris, global fashion leaders are clear on which designers and models impressed for the season. Saint International models kept the Jamaican flag flying high in all the primary fashion capitals. While the veterans like Sam Taylor, Rascelle Osbourne, Brad Allen, and Sosheba Griffiths recorded presence, it was newcomers Kai Newman and Tami Williams who kept fashion power players relishing the 'Jamaican energy' on and off the runways. Much to the delight of Saint International boss Deiwght Peters, who was on hand in Paris and Milan to chaperone and support the girls, they were both booked for appearances for two leading designers in Milan Fashion Week - Fausto Puglisi and Marni. "It was a remarkable moment when the producers and casting agents of Marni, Lanvin, and Alberta Ferretti commented to me directly on how impressed they were with the girls and the high international standards they were. Absolutely extraordinary," an elated Peters told Outlook. Runway Gold In the business of high fashion, quality always trumps quantity, so the shows on which a model appears will determine the momentum of their careers. Kai Newman, Saint's Fashion Face of The Caribbean 2013, followed up her debut season with another impressive runway season. The Jamaican beauty strutted repeat seasons for Rodarte, Mac by Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein. She made her first stop in London, appearing for legendary Brit-brand Burberry and J.W Anderson, among others. Arriving in Milan, she quickly booked Fausto Puglisi, Marni, and Jil Sander (second season) et al. In Paris, the Saint star captured no less than 11 runway bookings. Her enviable Paris show list included Lanvin, Emanuel Ungaro, Vanessa Bruno, and Paco Rabanne, to name a few. Tami Williams got a selective start. A semi-exclusive for Alexander Wang precipitated a tidal wave of calls and emails, with offers of representation. This followed up with ultra-selective Marc Jacobs and Edun, rounding out New York. Skipping London, the St Elizabeth stunner arrived in Milan and walked for Fausto Puglisi, Ermanno Scervino, Marni, and more. There is worldwide anticipation from leading agents, casting directors and show producers from Milan, Paris, New York, and Milan, about who the new face from Saint International will be during the Spring-Summer 2015 shows in September.
Her birth name is Shaekagale Shanicece Williams, but she is affectionately known as 'Tami'. This moniker, considered more tongue-friendly, would be adopted by Saint International for her budding modelling career. Discovered by Saint International's CEO Deiwght Peters at age 11 when she stood at 5'8", she told her mom she was too young and needed to grow. And grow she did. Now at 5'11", the statuesque 13-year-old (14 in August) impressed the international judging panel at Saint International's Fashion Face of the Caribbean 2012 and was placed second from a competitive field. But two days later, Peters received a call from acclaimed supermodel-maker Louie Chaban from Elite New York discussing the possibility of representing the Jamaican beauty. "I believe getting the call from Louie Chaban sent the signal this was a huge deal. I respected his humility as I am well aware of his stature in the global fashion landscape," said Peters. He notes that there were others who were visibly upset that they had missed out on the opportunity. Last week, Peters returned from New York, where he chaperoned Tami to several appointments and to meet the Elite New York team. "The agents were extremely impressed with her deportment, defined by her elegant posture and her personality. She asked the right questions and was very poised. I felt very proud, especially when she told the director of Elite that in the future, she wanted to be the face of Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Chanel Make-up," Peters told Outlook. Not surprisingly, the Elite head expressed confidence that this could happen in a few years. PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT The Black River High student is also undergoing major portfolio development with Elite, Peters revealed. Tami is now doing numerous photo shoots with top developmental photographers and stylists for the summer. She is also learning the art of wardrobe styling. There is an unprecedented buzz among powerful fashion players from the moment she arrived in the Big Apple. The team from Elite is exceptionally excited that Tami has joined the agency. "What was an emotional moment for me was when Tami expressed how she was living her dream with all that was happening," said Peters. A signature moment was meeting her favourite supermodel and Vogue cover girl Agyness Deyn, who was in town for a shoot and stopped by Elite offices in time to meet the rising Jamaican star.
S/S 2016 Season Total Shows: 27 New York S/S 2016 Anna Sui DVF Ralph Lauren Tommy Hilfiger (O) Tory Burch Edun Jason Wu Michael Kors Oscar De La Renta Public School Milan S/S 2016 Gucci Dolce & Gabbana Marni Roberto Cavalli Philosophy Di Lorenzo N.21 Fausto Puglisi Costume National Paris S/S 2016 Chanel Valentino Maison Margiela Loewe Balmain Alexander McQueen Dries Van Noten Barbara Bui Koche