Amina Allam has worked within the fashion industry for several years predominantly between the Middle East and Europe. She worked as a successful fashion model working with brands such as Cartier, L’Oréal Paris, Stéphane Rolland and Elie Saab. Additionally she worked as a manager/designer in Paris and started her own personal coaching agency through her renowned beauty and fashion blog. In 2017 she decided to focus more on volunteering and joined the Walkabout Foundation as a fundraising and program Associate. The Walkabout Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on funding research to find a cure for paralysis and donates wheelchairs to people in need around the world. Amina now lives in Dubai, happily married and has certified as a Theta healer and NLP practitioner.
Photo by, Yassir Ghallab
- Can you tell us a little about the Walkabout Foundation?
“Walkabout Foundation is a UK- and US-registered charity with the mission of restoring dignity, freedom and independence by providing wheelchairs and rehabilitation in the developing world and funding research to find a cure for paralysis.”
- What made you want to volunteer with the Walkabout Foundation?
“I heard about Walkabout through some friends and instantly became interested in their activity. At that time, I was looking into various opportunities to collaborate with a charity and Walkabout perfectly corresponded with my aspirations.”
- What are some of your passions and parts of you that you feel most wouldn't know about you?
“I am passionate about well-being and mindfulness and have been studying both a lot during the past years. I am currently a certified Theta healer and NLP practitioner. I have been able to find a life balance with the help of meditation and other similar practices including yoga. I also read a lot of books about various subjects - reading is probably my number 1 passion. Besides, I love to paint although I have never taken any lessons: I simply let my heart speak when I paint. I wish to take some classes in the near future.”
- What does empowering womxn mean to you?
“Empowering women for me means to give them the same rights and opportunities as to men, whether it is in their professional lives or socially.”
- What do you want to see more in your community?
“I would love to see more love, compassion and equality in general. To give the same rights and chances to all to build the life they’re wishing for.”
- Why do you feel it's so crucial to volunteer rather than just donating to a cause?
“Volunteering allows me to have direct contact with people, which is important for me, because I learn so much from others, but also about myself. It is sometimes totally overwhelming to realize how important a simple and small gesture might be to another person, a person in some kind of need. When you meet these beautiful people from developing countries, and feel the connection with them it makes you want to do it even more. I am deeply grateful to all the people I have met during my different missions with the Walkabout Foundation who gave me a real life lesson, they will remain in my heart forever.”
- How do you navigate a healthy mindset and sustain it?
“As I told you earlier, I have been studying mindfulness and well-being a lot during the past few years and have learnt a certain number of practices which help me in my life, such as breathing exercises, yoga, Ho’oponopono (Hawaiian practice), pilates, Qi gong painting, pottery on wheel, reading... Sometimes if I feel overwhelmed I do Theta healing, coaching or hypnotherapy sessions.”
- What would you say what tools helped you develop your self worth?
“There are many tools that can help a person develop their self worth, among them practices during which you repeatedly remind yourself of your self worth and value. It is important to learn to love oneself to find a real balance. It is important to accept yourself as you are and simply be yourself. There is only one YOU and that is important to know.”
- What aspects of fashion do you love celebrating or enjoy?
“Fashion in general offers us the possibility to express ourselves and show our personality.
I like mixing styles and colours and I have never been stuck to seasonal trends.”
- What are the aspects of the modeling industry that you enjoy and which aspects do you not like?
“During my modeling years, I loved the different opportunities I was given to travel and to see the world. During my travels, I also met many interesting people from around the world which was enriching. What I didn’t like was the fact that models were required to have similar bodies with the same measurements - this often led to girls constantly being on diet and not living a healthy life at all.”
- What would tell the child in you that you wish you heard more growing up?
“My inner child would have wished to hear more of:
-Yes you can!
-It’s your decision!
-Love yourself first so you can love others even more!”
- What jewelry piece from the Dea collection did you gravitate to most and why?
“I love the Faro Gold Hoops! They are discreet, feminine, chic and quite not ordinary. They’ll go well with my wardrobe and my skin tone.”