The 25-year-old Algerian athlete, who made boxing history during the 2024 Paris Games, is on the cover of the November issue of Vogue Arabia. Imane Khelif reveals herself in a magazine interview and during a captivating fashion shoot.
She is a star in Algeria, her native country, and marked the history of sport thanks to her performance during the Paris 2024 Games. But Imane Khelif, a young 25-year-old boxing champion, has also established herself in recent months in another field: that of fashion A few weeks after a very notable appearance at the Bottega Veneta show at Milan Fashion Week, the sportswoman is the star of the latest issue of Vogue Arabia.
For the occasion, the one who confided to the magazine that she had “done everything to achieve excellence” was photographed by Tarek Mawad in powerful and evocative outfits, each more cutting edge than the last.
Monochrome shades and majestic leather
Lacquered hair pulled back and a confident look, Imane Khelif imposes her style and confidence throughout the photos and looks: imperial and androgynous in a dark suit by Bottega Veneta, wrapped in a textured black leather trench coat by Loewe, or even luminous in Chopard choker and bracelet, points raised in combat stance.
Black, ecru or red, the colors are monochrome and the choice of materials is very carefully crafted, with the omnipresence of leather and vinyl.
This is the case, for example, with a bomber jacket, black Balenciaga pants and skirt, or even with a belted red coat with an asymmetrical, south-sized collar by Loewe.
“No one has been able to shake my self-confidence”
The one who presents herself as “a patient and ambitious young woman” says she is looking to the future and new victories, but also looks back on the trials she had to go through as soon as she appeared in the spotlight: questioning of her gender and his identity, cyber-harassment, mockery and threats…
“It’s not only the (gold) medal that changed me, but the circumstances and the way in which I won the medal changed the taste of this victory,” says Imane Khelif.
The champion also reveals the secret of her success: “no one has been able to shake my self-confidence,” she emphasizes. And this already legendary shoot for Vogue is irrefutable proof.
Charlie Vandekerkhove Editorial head BFMTV