AnOther Magazine: How did you first become interested in make-up? 

Ammy Drammeh: I started when I was a kid. A classmate of mine was gifted with the book, Making Faces by Kevin Aucoin, that she brought to school. I was so fascinated by it that she said I could borrow it for a little while. I took the book home and for a week, every day after school, I did my friends’ make-up. That was the way I discovered make-up as a playful and connecting activity rather than something your mum does before going to work.

AM: And when did you begin to consider it as a career?

AD: I went to a small school and some teachers noticed that I was always doing other classmates’ make-up for school events. They encouraged me to see it as something more than just a hobby and talked to my parents about it. These teachers focused on what I was good at instead of pushing for an academic path that would have probably ended up in failure. My dad was a truck driver at the time and my mum was a nurse; understanding what a make-up artist does wasn’t in their world but they supported me even if they didn’t understand.

AM: What role does colour play in your life and work? 

AD: Colour is such a translator and accelerator of mood and feelings. In a way, it’s similar to taste and smell. It can transport you somewhere you forgot about and it can also evoke something you are not able to communicate with words. 

AM: Why do you think make-up is important? 

AD: Make-up is such an amazing tool for self-discovery. It is available to most people and is ephemeral so you can risk without having to commit. It helps people express who they are and also become who they want to be; it’s transformative and evocative. 

AM: How did nature inspire your collaboration with Chanel? 

AD: When I started creating the collection I was in Gambia. It was hard to think about make-up or products but it was very easy to be inspired by the hibiscus and bougainvillea everywhere, the red sand and the tea leaves floating in the pot. There is something about nature and flowers that is weird and beautiful – they’re almost a bridge between fantasy and reality. I came back to Paris with a clear idea of the colours I wanted to create for the collection and I knew I wanted them to be an accessory to the existing products in the range.

AM: What was it like working with Lily-Rose Depp on the campaign?

AD: Working with Lily was great, I’ve had the pleasure of working with her a few times now. She is an artist so she is always super open and trusting which makes the collaboration so smooth. She has been one of Chanel’s muses for a while and I was so excited to work with her on this project.

AM: How do you hope people will use this summer make-up collection? 

AD: Versatility is at the core of this collection. All the products are multi-purpose and can be used in different ways. You can create sharp lines and silhouettes but also blurry and transparent finishes. You can use it on its own or mixed with neutrals for a more grounded look. Everyone can modulate and interpret what this collection is in their very own way. 

Discover Chanel’s summer 2024 make-up collection here.

CREDITS:

1. Awar is wearing Coco Mademoiselle Moisturising Body Lotion, Les Beiges Foundation in BR152, Stylo Ombre et Contour 3-in-1 Pencil in Atardecer, Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir, Jardin Imaginaire Blush and Highlighter Duo in Light and Berry, 31 Le Rouge lipstick in Rouge Coromandel and Le Vernis nail polish in Songe d’Été and Faun by CHANEL BEAUTY. Swimsuit in jersey and belt in metal with glass and strass from the Resort 2025 collection by CHANEL. Stylist’s own ribbon in satin. And Coco Crush earrings and bracelets in 18-carat beige gold, Coco Crush bracelet in 18-carat white gold, Coco Crush bracelet in 18-carat white gold with diamonds and Coco Crush bracelet in 18-carat beige gold with diamonds by CHANEL FINE JEWELLERY 

2. Awar is wearing Les Beiges Foundation in BR152 and Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue lipstick in Shocking Pink by CHANEL BEAUTY 

3. Coco Mademoiselle Moisturising Body Lotion, Les Beiges Foundation in BR152, Stylo Ombre et Contour 3-in-1 Pencil in Néon Dahlia, Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow in Bois Noir, Calligraphie de Chanel Eyeliner in Hyperblack, Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir, Jardin Imaginaire Blush and Highlighter Duo in Light and Berry, Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue lipstick in Shocking Pink and Le Vernis nail polish in Songe d’Été and Faun by CHANEL BEAUTY. Playsuit in cotton, belt in metal with glass and shoes in patent leather from the Resort 2025 collection by CHANEL. And Coco Crush ring in 18-carat white gold and Coco Crush ring in 18-carat beige gold by CHANEL FINE JEWELLERY 

4. Edna is wearing Les Beiges Foundation in BD91, Stylo Sourcils Haute Précision Eyebrow Pencil in Brun Clair, Stylo Ombre et Contour 3-in-1 Pencil in Dream Leaf, Inimitable Mascara in Noir, Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Quintessence, Jardin Imaginaire Blush and Highlighter Duo in Light and Berry, Rouge Coco Gloss in Rose Pulpe and Le Vernis nail polish in Songe d’Été and Rêveuse by CHANEL BEAUTY. Jacket in tweed and shirts in cotton from the Resort 2025 collection by CHANEL. And Coco Crush ring and earring in 18-carat white gold, Coco Crush earring in 18-carat beige gold with diamonds and Coco Crush earring in 18-carat white gold with diamonds by CHANEL FINE JEWELLERY

5. Les Beiges Foundation in BD91, Stylo Sourcils Haute Précision Eyebrow Pencil in Brun Clair, Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow in Lilas Poudré, Inimitable Mascara in Noir, Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Quintessence and Rouge Allure lipstick in Illusion by CHANEL BEAUTY. Top in cotton from the Resort 2025 collection by CHANEL. And Coco Crush earring in 18-carat beige gold with diamonds and Coco Crush earring in 18-carat beige gold by CHANEL FINE JEWELLERY 

6. Awar is wearing La Crème Main hand cream and Le Vernis nail polish in Songe d’Été and Faun by CHANEL BEAUTY

7. Edna is wearing Les Beiges Foundation in BD91, Stylo Sourcils Haute Précision Eyebrow Pencil in Brun Clair, Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow in Lilas Poudré, Inimitable Mascara in Noir, Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Quintessence and Rouge Coco Baume in Flirty Coral by CHANEL BEAUTY. Jacket in wool crepe and shoes in patent leather from the Resort 2025 collection by CHANEL. And stylist’s own tights 

8. Stylo Ombre et Contour 3-in-1 Pencil in Néon Dahlia, Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow in Bois Noir, Calligraphie de Chanel eyeliner in Hyperblack, Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir, Jardin Imaginaire Blush and Highlighter Duo in Light and Berry, Rouge Coco Flash lipstick in Destination and Le Vernis nail polish in Songe d’Été and Faun by CHANEL BEAUTY. Swimsuit in jersey with ribbon in satin from the Resort 2025 collection by CHANEL. And Coco Crush rings and bracelet in 18-carat beige gold, Coco Crush rings and bracelet in 18-carat white gold, Coco Crush bracelets in 18-carat white gold with diamonds and Coco Crush bracelet in beige gold with diamonds by CHANEL FINE JEWELLERY 

9.Edna is wearing Coco Mademoiselle Moisturising Body Lotion and Stylo Ombre et Contour 3-in-1 Pencil in Atardecer by CHANEL BEAUTY. Stylist’s own ribbons in satin and grosgrain. And Coco Crush bracelet in 18-carat beige gold and Coco Crush bracelet in 18-carat white gold with diamonds by CHANEL FINE JEWELLERY 

Hair: Cyndia Harvey at Art Partner using THIS HAIR OF MINE. Manicure: Chisato Yamamoto at Caren using the Summer 2024 collection and La Crème Main by CHANEL. Set design: Hella Keck at Webber Represents. Casting: Julia Lange at Art Partner. Models: Awar Odhiang at Models1 and Edna Karibwami at IMG Models. Digital tech: Thomas Carlà. Photographic assistants: Ariel Mihály, Dylan Massara and Georgia Williams. Styling assistant: Precious Greham. Hair assistants: Leanne Millar and Lucy Muyanga. Make-up assistants: Quelle Bester and Rocio Cuenca. Set-design assistant: Mo Adams. Production: RE.Pro. Producer: Rachael Evans. Production assistants: Jessye Sweeny and Valentyn Korolkov. Post-production: Aly Studio