Canadian-born Yasmeen Ghauri grew up in Montreal but now bases herself in New York. We caught up with her there and asked not how others see her but how she sees herself.
Do you see femininity as a strength or as a weakness?
Yasmeen: Femininity can be both or neither. It is your actions that make you strong or weak.
Your mother is German and your father is Pakistani. How has this influenced you?
Yasmeen: It has made me more open and understanding of other cultures and lifestyles. Having experienced racism firsthand it has made me a stronger more self-reliant person.
Who are the most important people in your life?
Yasmeen: My family and my boyfriend, because they stand behind me and love me unconditionally. I have been with my boyfriend for five years and am extremely happy.
In your opinion, what creates ideal beauty?
Yasmeen: Intelligence confidence and a good heart.
Who is the most beautiful woman you know?
Yasmeen: A very close friend of mine. She is the most caring and honest person I know, despite a childhood that was a lot less than perfect. She has a heart of old. To me that is beautiful.
Do you remember the first time you felt beautiful?
Yasmeen: Having been an ugly duckling all through childhood, the first time someone asked me if I was a model I was very flattered and felt that maybe I wasn't so bad after all. I was in my early teens.
What are your views on fashion images like the heroin look?
Yasmeen: I understand where the images come from and I think that they are a reflection of our times in their edginess. I like that edginess, but I also like old-fashioned beauty and ,glamour and I miss that. I think fashion should make women dream and I don't think they are dreaming right now.
I also believe glamorising drugs in fashion is irresponsible and unimaginative. There is so much more to be inspired by than that. The fashion industry should be accountable for the images that they convey to young women out there.
What is the one thing you do that you know you shouldn't?
Yasmeen: I always say and do exactly what I want. Sometimes a little restraint wouldn't hurt.
What is your favourite New York haunt?
Yasmeen: My house. The best place in town !
Where do you shop?
Yasmeen: ABC, Sarajo, Big Drop, Thompson 1909 and Barnevs - to name a few.
Who are your favourite designers?
Yasmeen: John Galliano and Dries Van Noten. But my favourite clothing is jeans and a T-shirt.
What is the best buy you ever made ?
Yasmeen: I know I should say some incredible piece clothing that I bought, but it would have to be a Dutch Javanese four poster Opium bed with stairs that I bought in St Barts.
Describe your favourite shoes.
Yasmeen: They’re bronze and cork, major platform oriental-looking heels from Robert Clergerie.
What is the most memorable garment you've modelled?
Yasmeen: That would have to be a sequinned catsuit at a Jean Paul Gaultier show because it was meant to look like I was naked. The outfit was covered head-to-toe in flesh-coloured sequins complete with shadows, contours nipples - you can imagine the rest. My parents had a cow when they saw the pictures, they thought I was naked, although I was completely covered. That was definitely memorable.
What was your most memorable day modelling?
Yasmeen: The most excitement I’ve had in a long time was the Galliano show in March this year. It was the most beautiful and inspiring show I've done in my eight years of modelling. A perfect unison of beautifully executed fantastical clothes with incredible hair and make-up, music and setting. It reminded me what being a part of true creativity can feel like.
Who are your heroes ?
Yasmeen: I don't have a particular hero. I always have, and always will, admire people who have the courage and vision to forge their own paths and follow their dreams - regardless of others’ opinions.
What is in your fridge right now?
Yasmeen: Lots of vegetables and not much else.
What is your favourite food?
Yasmeen: So much food, so little time. Everything, literally!
What is in your handbag right now?
Yasmeen: A phone, a digital assistant, vitamins, keys and money.
What lipstick do you use every day?
Yasmeen: Kiehl's lip balm.
NZFQ: What's your favourite smell?
Yasmeen: Annick Goutal's 'Eau d’Hadricn because it is innocently sensual.
What is your favourite film?
Yasmeen: The Party by Peter Sellers. It's the most hysterical film I have ever seen. Peter Sellers is my favourite actor.
Your favourite song?
Yasmeen: "Erotic City" by Prince.
Favourite book?
Yasmeen: "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand.
Favourite artist?
Yasmeen: I like some of the sketches by Matisse because they are so pure and fluid.
Favourite saying?
Yasmeen: "You can't take it with you "
What is your most valued possession?
Yasmeen: A diamond heart-shaped pendant from my boyfriend because ...
What is your current obsession?
Yasmeen: Golf.
How else do you spend your spare time?
Yasmeen: Biking, rollerblading, reading, swimming, cooking, furniture shopping, interior decorating.
What three things would take to a desert island?
Yasmeen: My man. Great. music. An endless supply of junk food.
What is your favourite place in the world?
Yasmeen: There are so many places that I love and all for very different reasons. In general, I love nature. Any place with sun, ocean trees and very few people is my kind of place.
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