By Olivia Belande,
It is no secret that Seneca College is home to some incredibly phenomenal alumni, many of whom have gone on to create fantastic things, make amazing discoveries, and become tremendous people who we are honoured to have called one of our own. Today, we would like to introduce to our readers the wonderful Yasmin Warsame (Psychology and Social Sciences Graduate). Model, actress, mother and friend, Yasmin has truly done it all, and still it seems that her journey of artistic breakthroughs has only just begun.
Born in Somalia in the 70s as the youngest of twenty-one siblings (Globe and Mail, 2013), Yasmin arrived in Canada at the age of fifteen, settling down in Toronto. She was first scouted to model while walking through the city’s core, and while excited by the prospect of walking runways, Yasmin made a promise to her family that she would not pursue a modelling career until after she had graduated school. While sitting down with Your Morning on CTV, Yasmin explains that much of her family’s hesitation towards her modelling aspirations came from genuine concern, and a culture that had never been associated with mainstream modelling within Canada before. Growing up Muslim, Yasmin was lucky enough to be surrounded by a loving community who fought for her welfare, however the unfamiliarity of high end runway modelling to her peers brought on some concerns– was it safe? Was it ethical? Yasmin’s dip into the industry was able to push the barrier that prevented Muslim women and women of colour to walk the runway, and in turn this had an overhwhelmingly positive effect on the very community that watched over her (Your Morning, CTV, 2017).
When asked how she felt about the lack of diversity in modelling, Yasmin admitted that she struggled to understand it. This is a sentiment that many readers likely sympathize with, as Yasmin explains that diversity in modelling is exactly what makes the shows so lively, so interesting and multifaceted. And simply, some complexions allow clothing to be seen at their very best, she notes (Your Morning, CTV, 2017). “Somali” and “super model” are unfortunately not two terms that are known to go hand in hand, because of the lack of inclusion within the modeling industry. A cursory google search of the term brings up few names, even fewer Canadians, meaning that Yasmin Warsame is truly one of the pioneers of her generation, shining light on Canada’s stunning and resilient Somali community.
Having walked for the likes of Jean Paul Gauthier, Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, Valentino and many, many more (and having shot several highly prestigious international campaigns, a whirlwind of magazine covers and– oh, did we mention she was also a judge for Canada’s Next Top Model [IMDB, 2021]?), Yasmin’s modelling accomplishments could fill an entire wall. However, one may also be interested in learning of the work she does outside off the runway as well, something that truly sets her apart from several others within her industry. In her own time, Yasmin is a humanitarian, having leveraged her status as a model to help her own community and the communities around her in acts of total selflessness. In 2013, she worked as an ambassador for The African Future, an organization that brought key medical supplies to African countries (The Globe and Mail, 2013). In an interview with Breakfast Television in 2017, Yasmin hinted at a sort of “umbrella charity network” she was aiming to build, wherein she wanted to bring smaller communities within Canada together in order to mutually meet one another’s needs.
Yasmin as Nasra
As of late, Yasmin has added another exciting position to her resume– actress. This year she performed as Nasra in The Gravedigger’s Wife (written and directed by Khadar Ahmed), a starring role in which she plays the ill wife of a gravedigger, who struggles to make ends meet. When Nasra’s illness grows all the more looming, the pair must figure out how they are going to cover the necessary expenses. The film was presented at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and was met with stellar reviews. Yasmin’s performance was especially noted as being phenomenal, especially since she is a breakout star. Some critics mentioned that Yasmin acted with an ease that suggested she had been doing so her entire life. The film is so acclaimed that Somalia has entered it as their submission to the 2022 Academy Awards for “Best International Feature Film.” (IMDB 2021) Way to go, Yasmin!
Through all of her fantastic endeavours, and the many more that are sure to come, Yasmin is not only a supermodel, but a fantastic role model and humanitarian. Seneca is honoured to have graced her path, and we are excited to see what she does next.
Works Cited
The FMD – FashionModelDirectory.com. “Photo of Fashion Model Yasmin Warsame – ID 75956: Models: The FMD.” The FMD – FashionModelDirectory.com, https://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/yasmin_warsame/showphoto/75956/.
Kelly, Deirdre. “Supermodel Yasmin Warsame More than Just Another Pretty Face.” The Globe and Mail, 26 Apr. 2013, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-catalysts/supermodel-yasmin-warsame-more-than-just-another-pretty-face/article11579703/.
McNee, Jen. “Canadian Model Yasmin Warsame Gives an Outstanding Performance in ‘the Gravedigger’s Wife’.” Shedoesthecity, 16 Sept. 2021, https://www.shedoesthecity.com/canadian-model-yasmin-warsame-gives-outstanding-performance-in-the-gravediggers-wife/.
MZW. “Spread Love: Yasmin Warsame for Fashion Magazine October.” Globetrotting Stiletto, http://globetrottingstiletto.com/yasmin-warsame-for-fashion-magazine-october/.
Ojo-Felix, Irene. “Https://Models.com/Oftheminute/?p=136237.” StackPath, 11 Mar. 2021, https://models.com/oftheminute/?p=136237.
Supermodel Yasmin Warsame on Diversity on the … – Youtube. Your Morning CTV, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8tH98HQ76Q.
“Yasmin Warsame Draws Inspiration from Her Mother for Role in the Gravedigger’s Wife.” Yasmin Warsame Draws Inspiration from Her Mother for Role in The Gravedigger’s Wife, https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2021/Sept/183902/yasmin_warsame_draws_inspiration_from_her_mother_for_role_in_the_gravedigger_s_wife.aspx.
“Yasmin Warsame.” IMDb, IMDb.com, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2727118/.