From war-torn Sierra Leone to the international catwalk via Springburn, Lili Johnson is on her way to becoming one of the UK’s top black models.
The striking 21-year-old is now the darling of the fashion world, with huge brands such as Jimmy Choo, Burberry and Gucci queueing up to option her for shoots.
Lili has walked the runways of London Fashion Week for House of Holland and Alexa Chung. Even Christina Aguilera is a fan – sharing a catwalk photo of her on Instagram.
Despite only having modelled for three years, the young student has already starred in campaigns for Harrods, Liberty London, Selfridges and White Stuff, to name but a few.
Lili, who was born in Sierra Leone and grew up in Glasgow, admits she never dreamed a “wee black girl from Springburn” would one day become one of Britain’s most in-demand models.
The Edinburgh University student said: “It’s been such a blur. I still can’t quite believe it. I went into modelling not expecting anything and it has come as a massive shock to be told this brand and that designer wants to work with you. I feel like I blinked and now I am a successful model. It’s crazy.
(Image: Synthesis Portrait)
“Last week I shot the autumn/winter campaign for Ghost London and this week I’m modelling for White Stuff – the job offers just keep coming. I’ve worked with Burberry, Net a Porter, Harrods, Farfetch, Selfridges and Liberty London and I’ve been optioned for Jimmy Choo and Gucci, who want me to go to Milan for fittings.
“I’m so busy, I’ve taken a break from my psychology degree at Edinburgh Uni and moved to London to concentrate on my modelling career.”
Lili, who is signed to Colours in Glasgow and Select in London, added: “Last February I did my first of three seasons at Fashion Week. I walked for Feng Chen Wang, Alexa Chung and House of Holland. It was just mad seeing my images on the Vogue runway.
“Then last September I walked for designer Bobby Abley. I was wearing one of his fun, crazy outfits and the next day Christina Aguilera had posted my photo on Instagram. I was so shocked.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine an ordinary girl from Springburn would end up on the catwalks of London and appearing on the social media of a superstar.”
Lili, who was signed by Colours when she was 18, admits growing up black in Scotland was not easy and, as a teenager, she was embarrassed about her colour and felt ugly.
She said: “Growing up, I always felt different. I encountered significant racism in high school from people who would make fun of my accent and hair. They made me feel ugly and undeserving.
(Image: Colours Agency)
“As a teenager, I hated being black and I looked on my skin colour as a life sentence that was going to hold me back.
“So when my modelling career started to take off, it came as a massive shock.
“Through modelling, I have learned to embrace my blackness. I’ve realised being black is not something to be ashamed of but rather it’s something to be celebrated. It’s my culture and is what makes me me. I’m not embarrassed about it any more.”
Lili, who dreams of landing a campaign with Rihanna’s beauty brand Fenty, says the modelling industry is more diverse but it still has a way to go.
She said: “I see the industry changing. There are a lot more black girls from different backgrounds doing modelling than people think. It is becoming more and more diverse every day.
“There is still room for improvement – whether it be with sizings or by the fashion industry embracing even more ethnicities and individualities.
“I am very lucky to be friends with my fellow Scot Natasha Luwedde, who is one of the UK’s top black supermodels. She lives in London and has been like an older sister, helping me navigate this crazy world. I don’t know what I would have done without her help and advice.”
Lili admits she would not have had the confidence to attempt modelling if it wasn’t for her mum Helen, who brought her and sister Fai, 22, to Scotland in search of a better life.
She said: “Mum never speaks about her life in Sierra Leone but I know things could not have been easy. We came to Glasgow in 2002 when I was two and my sister was three. She travelled halfway across the world to give us a better life.
“I would not appreciate life as much if it wasn’t for her. Watching her struggle to raise two children on her own has given me a different perspective on life.
(Image: Colours Agency)
“She sacrificed so much for us. Sometimes she would not eat meals so my sister and I could do all the things we wanted to. She wanted to give us everything and for that I will be forever grateful.
“Mum also made sure we got a great education and when we were younger she would take us to the library and encourage us to read. It paid off as my sister and I got to university.
“She urged me to follow my dreams and be whatever I wanted to be regardless of my background and skin colour. She gave me the confidence to model.”
Alison Bruce, of Colours, said: “We hope Lili’s incredible success will help inspire more black and Asian girls to follow in her footsteps. She’s already a firm favourite with fashion houses and casting directors.”
