An avid reader and Tupac megafan, Neelam Gill, Britain’s supermodel-in-the-making, is our kind of girl. When the teen was preparing to go off to university, she was made a new face of Burberry, an especially remarkable moment as she was the first Indian model to be cast as their campaign star, in February 2014.
A Burberry beauty campaign soon followed and Neelam decided to postpone her studies in order to pursue her burgeoning career. Since then she has shot for countless magazine including Vogue Italia, as well as covering issue 7 of our very own Hunger Magazine. As her career goes from strength to strength, we caught up with the self-confessed hip hop lover, bookworm and
Models 1 babe during her current stay in New York.
IF YOU WEREN’T A MODEL WOULD YOU STILL HAVE AN INTEREST IN FASHION? WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING OTHERWISE?
I’ve always been interested in fashion but I don’t think I’d be working in the fashion industry. I’d be at University studying Psychology then doing my Masters degree.
YOU ARE CONSTANTLY ON THE GO AND TRAVELLING FOR CAMPAIGNS, SHOOTS AND SHOWS. WHERE’S THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PLACE YOU’VE VISITED RECENTLY?
I’ve been between London and New York recently which I’m really happy about because I love New York and I’ve done some amazing jobs out there, plus most of my friends who are models are based there, so whenever I’m there we always have fun. I also shot a campaign in LA, in the Hollywood Hills in Marilyn Monroe’s old house. I found that cool because everyone on set was telling me the history of the house! Plus I’ve always wanted to visit LA because I love Tupac. And I also went to Santorini for a job which was beautiful… So I can’t choose one: New York, LA and Santorini!!
CAN YOU PICK OUT A PARTICULAR CAREER HIGHLIGHT TO DATE (BAR FEATURING AS A HUNGER COVER MODEL!)?
The first show I did for Burberry as a worldwide exclusive because that was my debut and it led to shooting the campaign with Mario Testino. I also loved shooting the cover of Elle India because we went to Paris for that, and shooting with Carine Roitfeld for CR Fashion Book because it was such a cool day and I was posing on a Harley Davidson in these crazy Tom Ford thigh high boots with a wind machine blowing my hair everywhere! I felt like I was in a movie.
HOW DO YOUR COVENTRY PALS WHO ARE PRESUMABLY STUDENTS AND STARTING THEIR CAREERS KEEP YOU GROUNDED?
I’m very close to my friends and family and I’ve had the same friends my whole life, which keeps me grounded. I try to go home as much as I can, even if I have one day free I’ll go and see my family.
A LOT OF THE BIGGEST MODELS NOW ARE DIPPING THEIR TOES INTO OTHER TALENTS. HAS MODELLING OPENED OTHER DOORS FOR YOU, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE YOUR CAREER NEXT?
Modelling has opened so many doors for me and I have so many ideas in mind for future projects. I definitely want to model for a few more years because it’s only been a year and there’s so much more I want to achieve, but then I’d like to go into acting. I’ve already had a few offers which seem really exciting. I’d also like to open my own businesses but some ideas I have to keep a secret for now!
WHO ARE YOUR IDOLS, MODELS AND OTHERWISE?
My favourite model is Naomi Campbell. I just think she’s flawless and I really admire her work ethic. Plus, I love the fact that she speaks up on issues such as racism because I think that’s so important when you are as influential as she is. My idols would be my parents because they continually better me as a person.
DO YOU FEEL ANY PRESSURE BEING A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHERS, SPECIFICALLY AS YOU’VE BROKEN DOWN BARRIERS AS BURBERRY’S FIRST EVER INDIAN CAMPAIGN MODEL?
Sometimes I do feel pressure because I am only 19, I think a lot of people forget that! But I love my job and I’m so grateful that this has all happened to me. It keeps me going when people congratulate me and tell me I’m a good role model so I wouldn’t change it for the world.
WHEN YOU GET BACK HOME WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO?
Pick up my baby sister and dance with her (she’s only 1 and a half but she loves all the same music as me!).
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO AT THE MOMENT?
O.T Genasis – CoCo
Teyana Taylor – Dreams
Krept and Konan – We In Here
2Pac – All About U
Drake – How About Now
CAN YOU TELL US A SECRET?
I just bought a Celine bag as a Christmas present for myself, from myself! If you can’t treat yourself who else can? Haha
Follow Neelam on Instagram
@neelamkg
