Ramla Ali is a Somali professional boxer, model, author and racial equality activist. Ali is the first Somali boxer in history to compete at the Olympic Games this summer in Tokyo, and the first female to become a professional boxer.

Called a “Cartier darling” in her ELLE April 2021 interview, ‘The Last One Standing’, Ramla Ali is now a Dior darling as well, styled by Chloe Grace Press in ‘Dior Vibe’. Photographer Dan Beleiu captures Ali with a set design by Iggy Njoya. / Makeup by Harold James

The boxer met up with Grazia Daily UK’s Shannon Mahanty two weeks ago, where we learned that Ramla Ali founded Sisters Club in 2018, so provide a safe space for women to learn boxing apart from the male gaze. She also works as a UN ambassador.

Initially, she designed the free classes for Muslim women and minorities. As a Muslim woman herself, Ramla, understood the lack of women-only spaces where women could work out regardless of their background, women could work out without their hijabs and unafraid that a male could wander into the premises without notice.

i-D focused on the Somali-born, London-raised model and athlete with the best headline: Meet Olympic boxer Ramla Ali, Dior’s kickass new muse. Speaking of her relationship with Ramla Ali, Maria Grazia Chiuri admits to being inspired by her spirit.

Dior’s creative director speaks to the fact that “sports helped to emancipate women. It was impossible for women to be in the Olympic Games, and they had to fight for it. Initially, for them, they had to fight to be recognized.” There’s no doubt that Ramla Ali is such a fighter.

Asked by i-D to describe herself in five words, the boxer chose: Relentless, competitive, considerate, ambitious, dedicated.

Coming soon at Dior Vibe: a virtual pop-up.