Aamito Stacie Lagum, Uganda’s Fast Rising Supermodel
Last weekend Aamito Lagum was among the models on the catwalk at Burberry fashion show in Russia. The first Africa’s Next Top Model winner has continued to fly Uganda’s flag across the globe. She is now a regular on the international catwalks and she was ranked among the top models by an online magazine models.com
Aamito Stacie Lagum at Burberry catwalk over the weekend
From television sets to top runways, Aamito has been able to spin straw into gold with a dream list of achievements – editorials in LOVE, i-D, W Magazine, British Vogue, and a campaign for Marc Jacobs. This rising star has already worked with some of the best so time will tell who she collabs with next. Today we profile to you who Aamito is. Although Uganda’s modeling industry is not yet to the stand, the 22 year old has defied al odds and is headed fro a greater modeling career.
Aamito (C) during a Burberry runway at the weekend
Who is Aamito Lagum
Aamito Stacie Lagum (born December 3, 1992) is a Ugandan model, best known for being the winner of the first season of Africa’s Next Top Model. [adrotate banner=”3″]
Early life and career
Lagum was born to her single mother Sidonia Ayaa in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. After losing her job, her mother relocated to Kitgum to move in with her grandparents. In her early years, Lagum was teased due to being much taller and thinner than her peers. As a child the model dreamed of fulfilling her grandfather’s dream of becoming a lawyer. She states that in a stage of her life, she spent nights hiding from the Kony rebels in bushes due to gunfire. Lagum moved back to Kampala to continue her schooling in St. Jude Primary School Naguru, Katikamu Seventh Day Adventist Senior Secondary School and St.Lawrence High School.
Aamito said she was truly humbled to walk for Burberry at Lfw2015 Season 2
During her teenage years, several friends suggested that with her height and body she could work as a model. At the age of sixteen, Lagum began to pursue modeling as a career. Her first job was in Ugandan Fashion Week in 2009, where she walked for Gloria Wavamunno’s GW Collection. In 2012 Lagum met designer Adele Dejak, who took her to Kenya for a photo shoot.
Africa’s Next Top Model
In 2013, Lagum decided to take part in one of the casting calls for Africa’s Next Top Model taking a 16-hour bus ride from Kampala to the city of Nairobi, Kenya. Upon being interviewed, the model quickly caught the eyes of the host, Oluchi Onweagba. She was later called by Onweagba herself and was chosen to fly to Cape Town as one of the twelve finalists for the show.
Aamito Stacie Lagum during one of her modelling
Due to her unique look and physique, Lagum quickly gained notice from the judges and guests of the show, winning several best photos along with the opportunity to appear in a spread for Elle South Africa for having received best picture in week 9. Lagum made it to the finale on the tenth week of the competition, having made no appearances in the bottom two. After a casting session with DNA Models, she was crowned as the winner of the show. On her win, host Oluchi Onweagba explained, “We just felt like Aamito’s look is so modern right now. I think she’s a true representation of an African beauty, and she has a warrior spirit inside of her. I’m going to go to bed at night tonight and sleep so well because I know she can pull this off.”
Aamito during one of her runways
As part of her prizes Lagum received a 1-year modeling contract with DNA Model Management, product endorsement deals with P&G, Etisalat, Snapp and Verve International, a 1-year contract as an ambassador for South African Tourism and a cash prize of $50,000 USD.
Post show career
After winning Africa’s Next Top Model, Lagum was signed with Boss Model Management in South Africa and was featured in an editorial for Marie Claire South Africa in August 2014. She later signed with DNA Model Management and relocated to New York City.[16] Lagum debuted in the F/W 2015 season, walking for the likes of Lacoste, Marc by Marc Jacobs, J. Mendel, Rag & Bone, Giles, Jonathan Saunders, Paul Smith, and Bottega Veneta. She then went on to open Balenciaga in Paris, making her the first model of color to open the show under Alexander Wang. She continued her streak, booking more shows like Lanvin, Dries van Noten, H&M, Giambattista Valli, and Hermès.
Aamito posed naked for a fashion magazine
At the end of the season, she was listed as one of the Top Newcomers by models.com and style.com. Since then, she has appeared in different magazines like i-D, Interview, Love, W, British Vogue and Vanity Fair; as well as advertorial for Kenzo and an advertising campaign for Marc Jacobs, shot by David Sims.
