T-Diaries: Fayezah Ansari

A glimpse into the world of Pakistani powerhouses

People know of Fayezah Ansari the supermodel, but what is she as a person?

Models have their own opinions and a colourful past. I don’t shy away from that as I am a straight forward person. As a child, however, I was shy and socially awkward. When I grew up, I become the opposite and more outspoken. People still think of me as someone who enjoys rumours and is a party animal. But I describe myself to be carefree and someone who voices her opinions.

What inspired you to join the fashion industry?

I was a nerd while growing up and wanted to become an archaeologist. In fact, I was home-schooled as one day after school I returned, ate pills and locked myself in the closet so that I didn’t have to do it again. My mother freaked out and schooled me at home instead. Modelling was definitely not my first choice but because I was skinny and tall, a friend of my mother offerred me a shoot when I was only 16 and I decided to give it a go.

How do you think the fashion industry has changed over the years?

Initially, when I entered the industry I came across a crème of people who were willing to give their best to it. Now, it has become a commercial entity even though it has experienced a boom as new designers and models have come. There is a lot more energy but people mostly work for the money. Isn’t inspirational anymore.

You have time and again spoken in favour of your dark skin. How did you manage to stay away from the ‘fair is better’ ideology?

I have been offered endorsements of fairness creams but I don’t believe in promoting something that would create insecurities among the masses. We live in a country where dark is interconnected with ugly and I can’t add to that as I strongly believe in being comfortable in one’s own skin.

A lot of models have ventured into acting. Do you have any plans of pursuing it too?

It’s a good thing that models are branching out but I don’t think acting is my forte. I love doing what I do and every time I am on the stage I play my own role. I ask the designer before going on the ramp about what they want me to be and that’s who I pretend to be.

Fayezah Ansari

Model

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, November 22^nd, 2015.