ZOOT recently caught up with model and eco-conscious entrepreneur Kenza Fourati after a photoshoot she did with photographer Mike Kobal on the streets of New York. As if captured by a voyeuristic lens, the photoshoot paints a story of an unsuspecting woman commanding the streets of her city. With Mike playing the part of the paparazzo, the photos juxtapose the sleek couture lines that Kenza makes her own, against the grimy, cracked pavement of their beloved New York.
We also share some insights from Kenza in her own words about the photoshoot, her work and what inspires her. Stay tuned for more from Kenza in our exclusive interview, coming soon to the magazine.
Catch a glimpse of this New York vignette below.
Photos Mike Kobal
Styling Engie Hassan
Hair Nesha Ushtelenca
Make up Callie Filion
Featuring model Kenza Fourati
Words and interview by Michaela Doyle
Kenza on photographer Mike Kobal…
Mike and I have known each other for many, many, many, many years. He’s an amazing person, and he’s an amazing photographer, and we work with him a lot. And he’s someone who … has an incredible eye when it comes to street style. He lives in the heart of New York, in the East Village, and he has way of taking in scenes of life that are so unique and so close to him. He’s really into that kind of world.
On the looks for the shoot…
We wanted something that felt a bit timeless. And although it’s kind of high fashion, it doesn’t look costume-y. It still looks like it could be real. … It could really be something that you could be living in; it doesn’t look performative.
On storytelling and empathy…
If I know how you feel, if you tell me how you feel, I’ll connect with you more. I’ll put myself into your shoes, and I’ll see the world from your perspective.
On coming of age in the fashion industry…
I’m modeling for many years, and I’ve learned a lot from the fashion industry, and there are a lot of things that I liked and didn’t like. … I wanted to kind of question certain things and try to propose alternative solutions that in my mind, work better for everyone in the supply chain. … I went from being a child to a young woman through this industry, so my whole system of beliefs is built around it somehow … when I kind of matured a little bit, and through different exposure, I was like, okay, certain things work, but some things don’t work, and why is that? And what could I bring?
On her activism in the fashion industry…
I do believe, especially when I started modeling, we didn’t have a voice. You know, you were a certain kind of figure or a thing, but you didn’t have a voice. The fact that now, we are allowed to have a voice, I think being intentional in how you use this is very important. And you can’t not be intentional, not take a position — especially when you can amplify certain things. So, that has been my guiding principle…
I have come to appreciate a lot about the next generation of models. We should create a better community. We need to create better norms for the next generation.
On what inspires her…
It’s people. I’m a people’s person, and I love connecting with people in many different ways. I love to connect and share stories. It’s people, truly people.
To boot…
Read ZOOT’s exclusive interview with Kenza Fourati, coming soon to zootmagazine.com.
Learn more about Kenza and her socially and environmentally conscious shoe label at the OSAY website.
Plus, read our feature on OSAY’s collaboration with fellow sustainability-minded labels Shahla Karimi jewelry and Bernardo outerwear.
