SELECTS: Egyptian Model Farah Magdi Styles Her Hot Girl Summer

Farah Magdi is not a summer person. We had assumed otherwise, and so we asked her to curate some summer looks for us, and she went the extra mile by pairing each fit with the appropriate song: a true hot girl summer playlist with outfits to match.

But before we dove into the fashion, we learned a lot more about the model, who, at just 25 years old, is one of the foremost Egyptian models of her generation. In 2018, just two years after a Clorets ad put her on billboards across the country, Teen Times had declared Magdi Egypt’s wildest model yet. In the following years, she featured as a lead model alongside Sohaila Kandil for Kojak's 2020 collection, ‘The Promise’, and then did runway for Rami Kadi’s 10-piece haute couture collection in 2021. She’s graced the runways of Cairo Fashion Festival twice since then, done music videos, short films, and shot with some of the most prominent local and global brands. Relying on herself the whole time, Magdi has never had an agent.

In this Q&A, the 25-year-old model opens up about her career, toxicity in the industry, and her music and acting aspirations. She also tells us her favourite local brand, her least favourite clothing textures, and what she would be doing if she were not a model.

We’re familiar with the milestones of your career, but when did you first begin modelling?

I did my first gig ever I was 6 or 7. I was a child model in a music video for I don’t remember who, and it continued being my dream since then to be on TV and on billboards and become a fashion model. But my real start was the Clorets ad I did when I was 15. I had reached out to a casting agency and switched my Instagram account from private to public, and starting taking photos at home with a camera setup. That’s how I got booked for my first ad ever.

Walk us through your different fashion phases.

I feel like I’ve adopted so many styles throughout the past ten years. In my 15 to 16 era, I was going for more vintage casual looks inspired by Friends. By 17 and 18 I was growing out of it, and then in 2020 and 2021 I was more into punk. I was inspired by the rave scene. From 22 onwards, I started dressing more boho and I used to thrift a lot and go to Sinai, so I liked comfy, lightweight things.

Now I’m 25 and my style is more simple, but at the same time, I now feel more than ever that I’m wearing the clothes, and it’s not the clothes that are wearing me. No matter what I wear I’ll make it me. That, and I’m also more into mini-skirts and baby tees.

You’ve developed a huge followship over the past years. How do you separate your modelling aesthetic from that of your social media, and your IRL look?

In the kinds of shoots I get booked for, there is usually a specific aesthetic in mind and that’s why they reach out to me. I don’t fit under the basic model girl look. Most of my bookings want a bold look, or something that’s almost a little violent. So, in any shoot I do I’m already Farah. On Instagram, I don’t post anything that’s not me, and I don’t dress up just for Instagram.

You’ve previously mentioned that you haven’t signed with an agency all these years. Why not?

I don’t want to start any problems, but all I can say is it’s a toxic environment.

But I have been more open to finding an agent or a manager recently, because I’m not just into modelling anymore but also acting and music. I feel like there’s so much I want to do, I just need to find the right… I don’t know what. The right something.

So what would you be doing if you were not a model?

I would be a music producer. I’m already currently working on that. I want to make music and to DJ, maybe for fun or maybe not.

And acting? Tell us about that.

I just finished an acting workshop actually. I took about four in the past 3-4 years. There was a turning point in my career; I was shooting for a Netflix show that didn’t end up airing, but it made me take a break from modelling and focus more on acting.

If there’s an ad that involves acting, I’ll always take it. The most recent thing I did was for Bonjorno coffee with Mohamed Farag. And if there’s an open call for a short film, I’m always on top of every audition. I go to auditions and do audition tapes and send it over and all that, but I haven’t gotten any callbacks. I always get really nice feedback, but no callbacks.

Why do you think you haven’t gotten callbacks?

I don’t know. Maybe because the auditions I get are in a very specific role, which is also very close to my character. There’s obviously more to me than my looks, but the roles I get are more cliché tropes, like the girl from abroad who speaks broken Arabic, or the party girl. So I feel like the rejection is protection or redirection, that God is protecting me because if I had done this role it wouldn’t have been good for me. I think when the time is right, everything will fall into place.

Let’s return to modelling for a second. What’s your ideal kind of shoot?

I really like intimate shoots. Portraits, not editorial. In February did a shoot with Mena Assad, and the photoshoot was entirely on film. I like these experimental shoots that are more about the subject, more emotional.

What about your favourite textures?

I really love leather and fur. I also like silk. I’m not really into velvet, and I don’t like nylon—like the parachute pants that make a sound while walking. It overstimulates me.

I’m not really a fan of denim either, though I do like vintage denim stuff sometimes. I’m a big fan of sweatpants. Even though I try not to wear sweatpants, I’m a sweatpants girl forever.

What’s your favourite local brand right now?

Jeld [Atelier]. I have their cowhide duffel bag, a big one in mostly black but with a few white and brown spots. It’s so classy and elegant.

And am I wrong in assuming that you’re a summer person?

I’m actually a winter person. I really like winter. I like winter clothing, and in the city I’m definitely a winter person because I love coats and I love fur. Though spring might be my personal favourite, not in terms of fashion but in terms of life.

Alright, let’s get into the looks.

I like that my clothes are inspired by music. I make so many playlists. This is my hot girl summer playlist:

Look One | Supermarket Stroll

Song: Supermarket Woman - Lemonade Market

“I usually go for simple, comfortable pieces for everyday errands. Nothing too complicated, just throwing on linen pants, a white tank, birkens, and a thrifted tote bag is the easiest way to stay put together without overthinking it.”
In Your Shoe Female Sage Green Linen Wide Leg Pants

Nothing Personal NP-76 Tank / Untitled

Birkenstock Arizona

Thrifted tote bag

Look Two | Beach Playdate

Song: I Know – Sally Shapiro

“I’m drawn to relaxed pieces that can keep up with whatever the day turns into. I’m usually barefoot and in my bikini anyway, so cargo shorts, a tank, and comfortable sandals is my go to beach fit.”
Dept. Of Nothing Ringer Spaghetti Top (Butter Yellow)

UO Y2K Khaki Cargo Shorts | Urban Outfitters UK

Vintage Chanel Oval Sunglasses

Hunza G Eva Bikini Metallix Khaki

Dr. Martens Myles Platform Sandal

Look Three | Rooftop Romance

Song: All About Our Love - Sade

“I like outfits that feel a little flirty without trying too hard. A corset, mini skirt, and statement sunglasses make the look feel intentional, while still staying true to my personal style.”

Garage Clothing Mesh Longline Tube Corset

The A&F Scarlett Low Rise Micro Skort

Gentle Monster Futura 02

Mugler Paris Milk knotted t-strap sandals 105

Look Four | Ice Cream Run

Song: Madame Hollywood – Felix Da Housecat

“I’m drawn to pieces that feel easy but still have personality. Capri pants paired with an off shoulder top create a playful silhouette, and the Speedcats make it perfect for wandering around. I know brown and black isn’t everyone’s favorite combination, but it’s one I’ve always loved and find myself coming back to often.”Aritzia Smooth Matter™ Gallery Top

Rigash Black Capri Pants

Puma Speedcat Lux Ballet Sneakers Women

Cool bag I found on Libsy