In Conversation with
Oulimata Gallet

When we photographed our COLORFUL FALL editorial, Gallet stood out to me on set. Not because she demanded attention, but because she gave it to everyone around her. Between takes, she encouraged others, laughed with the crew, and somehow managed to make an incredibly windy day feel light. Her optimism never felt performative; instead, it felt deeply rooted.

Maison Ë When we met on set, the first thing that struck me wasn’t your modeling but your positivity. Where does that come from?

Oulimata Gallet I think it comes from my childhood. I was born in Senegal, and my father was the most positive person I’ve ever known. No matter what happened, he always welcomed people with a smile. In Senegal, someone can stop by your home without warning, and you invite them in and offer them drink, food, and conversation. I grew up surrounded by that generosity. My father always told me that positivity creates positivity. It doesn’t mean life is always easy, but it changes how you face every situation. That became part of my personality. Of course, I’m naturally energetic too—sometimes my husband tells me to calm down—but I genuinely believe that kindness is contagious.

M. Ë You started modeling much later than most. How did it all begin?

O.G. Completely by accident.
My family and I used to spend time every year on Réunion Island. One day, a photographer approached me on the beach. She told me she loved my face but asked one question that completely surprised me: “Why are you hiding yourself?”
At the time, I wore wigs and long hairstyles because I believed that’s what femininity looked like. She encouraged me to embrace my natural hair and, more importantly, myself. It took me almost two years before I felt ready. When I finally cut my hair, everything changed. The pictures she took were published internationally, and agencies in Paris began contacting me. But what she really gave me wasn’t a career—it was confidence. She taught me that people don’t connect with perfection. They connect with authenticity.

M. Ë Did starting later actually turn out to be an advantage?

O.G. Absolutely. By the time modeling found me, I was already a wife and a mother. I already knew who I was. I wasn’t looking for fashion to tell me my value. I think that’s why I never lost myself in the industry. Of course, you learn, you adapt, and you grow, but your personality has to stay your own. Early on, I realized that copying another model never works. You can admire people, but if you’re constantly trying to become someone else, people don’t see you anymore. The strongest images I’ve ever created happened the moment I stopped performing and simply became myself.

M. Ë What surprised you the most once you entered the industry?

O.G. Two things.
The first was learning that every client needs something different. At the beginning, I arrived with all my energy, thinking I always had to give more. Then one photographer told me, “We chose you because we love you, but today we need you to be calmer.” That changed everything. I realized listening is just as important as expressing yourself.
The second surprise was how much pressure there is on appearance. I was shocked by how often young models felt they had to change themselves.

M. Ë You have a successful international career while raising a family. How do you balance these two worlds?

O.G. I think my biggest luxury is that my real life has nothing to do with fashion. We live in the countryside. My children go to school there, they play music and sports, I go to the local market, I cook, I do yoga every morning, and I even started taking classical dance classes because my daughter inspired me. Most people around me don’t know me as a model. That normal life keeps me grounded. When I leave for a campaign, I’m completely focused on work. But when I come home, I’m simply a wife and a mother again. I think both worlds make each other stronger.

M. Ë After traveling so much, what makes a shoot memorable for you?

O.G. Always the people. Recently I worked on a summer campaign in Dubai. It was almost 50 degrees in the desert. The models could rest inside air-conditioned vans, but the crew stayed outside all day under the sun with smiles on their faces.
Watching their dedication reminded me of just how many people work incredibly hard behind every image. Those are the moments I never forget—not only the photographs but also the people who make them possible.

M. Ë Finally, how do you define luxury?

O.G. Luxury starts with personality. A beautiful dress is still just a dress. It only becomes extraordinary because of the person wearing it. If you don’t feel good about yourself, no expensive piece can change that. But when you love yourself, when you accept yourself, even on difficult days, that energy becomes visible. For me, that’s luxury. And yes, traveling in business class is also very nice.