5 Minutes with
Nouri Hassan
Each week, we're spending 5 minutes with some of our closest collaborators from the UO Community to learn a little bit more about them and what makes them tick.
After getting to know Nouri better over these past few months thanks to a few well-timed UO shoots, we knew we wanted to highlight her in a bigger way. Why? Because on top of modeling full-time, Nouri also created two separate resources for creatives in the past year: a casting collective, XYNE, which focuses on inclusion, and the BIPOC Creative Directory, a directory of BIPOC photographers, stylists, makeup artists and more. Feeling inspired by the work she's doing, we spoke to Nouri to find out what led her to start her own casting collective and what she hopes to accomplish in the rest of 2020.
Hi Nouri! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background for people who aren't familiar with you?
I'm a 21-year-old model and casting director based in Brooklyn, NY. I am the founder of XYNE Casting and, most recently, BIPOC.network — a directory of BIPOC creatives in fashion.
Can you give us some more information about your casting collective XYNE? What made you decide to start XYNE?
How do you stay motivated and positive when working on multiple projects at once?
Once I start something, I am determined to complete it to the best of my ability. I am all for self-motivation and self-accountability because, in the end, we can only really depend on ourselves. When it comes to staying positive, I always keep the big picture in the front of my mind. You're better off focusing on that rather than the small problems you may be facing in the current moment. Everything is temporary!
How did you get into modeling? Are there any tips you share with people who are looking to break into the industry?
After years of my family calling me Cindy Crawford and telling me I should model, I decided to give it a shot around age 14. I set up a test shoot via email with a photographer in NYC. At the shoot, he taught me the foundations of modeling and referred me to a few agencies. I ended up signing with an agency in the city and doing some commercial jobs here and there. I continued submitting to agencies as I grew up and eventually found my current mother agency, We Speak. My agent doesn't sign anyone under 18 (understandably). So, once I turned 18, she reached back out, and the rest is history. If you're looking to get into modeling, my advice (as redundant as this may sound) is to be persistent. Be persistent in collaborating with other creatives. Be persistent in working on yourself and your ""brand."" Be persistent in practicing modeling, both doing test shoots with friends and in your mirrors at home. Lastly, be persistent in applying to agencies every six months with your new imagery to show your growth and commitment.
What about people who are looking to start their own agencies or collectives? What's one baby step they can take to making their dream a reality?
Whatever the agency or collective may be, passion, consistency, and diligence are essential.
You created the BIPOC Creative Directory with the help of some friends. What do you hope brands and creatives keep in mind while utilizing this directory?
The directory is not a temporary fix to brands' lack of diversity behind the camera. It is an open, lasting resource for brands and creatives to learn about and hire (for paid projects) exceptional BIPOC talent. There is no excuse for brands not to utilize it to their full advantage. With that, do not tokenize or exploit creatives. Honor and uplift their work and be authentically inclusive.
Who is someone who has inspired you recently?
Aaron Philip is such an inspiration to me. She is a model, artist, and activist who advocates for inclusivity and more representation of disabled, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ people in fashion. The way she utilizes her Instagram is also unlike anyone I know. Aaron uses her Instagram as more of a resource to actively share links to people's GoFundMe links, Venmos, etc. There, her followers can donate and support individuals in need.
What is one thing you hope to further accomplish by the end of the year?
Honestly, my expectations for the rest of the year are low, considering the last few months. However, I plan on making a podcast very soon!
What's one final takeaway you would like to leave us with?
No idea is too big to accomplish. Whether that's becoming a model, starting a brand, or whatever you hope to achieve. Anything is possible, and everything is within your reach.
To see more from Nouri, follow her on Instagram: @hey.nouri