Looklyn: Nänga is just getting started

By Johnny Cirillo

Street style isn’t necessarily the same thing as “fashion.” It’s … more personal. It’s rooted in self, an outward expression of attitude, vibe, swag, panache, aspiration, time and place. In this semi-regular series called Looklyn, we hold a mirror up to the borough to show us how we dress now … and what it tells us about who we are.

Here, photographer Johnny Cirillo introduces us to Nänga, a model on the move with some casting advice for “my model girlies.”

Name: Nänga Awasum
Age: 23
How you identify: I’m just Nänga.
Occupation: I’m a working model here in NYC.
Where are you heading?: Leaving a day of castings, caught up with some friends and I’m going home to take care of my new kitten.
Fashion inspo: Lenny Kravitz, Patti Wilson and Ib Kamara.
About the fit: My jacket is vintage, the bralette is Barragán, my pants are from a small Korean brand named Leey, my bag is a classic 2017 Telfar and my shoes are from the hair store.
About me: I’m 23, I’m Cameroonian, I love a good swimsuit and I’m just getting started.
Thoughts on life: I don’t think I’m best dressed but I’m always wearing exactly how I feel. If you don’t have a moment to tell someone about yourself, make sure you show them in passing. Take it from me, it works. Also, to my model girlies, go to that casting in that outfit. Retire the white tank and skinny jeans and show them what they’ve been missing.