Yasmeen Ghauri
Yasmeen Ghauri | |
|---|---|
| Born | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Occupation | Fashion model |
| Years active | 1988–1998 |
| Spouse | Ralph Bernstein |
| Children | 2 |
Yasmeen Ghauri is a Canadian former[citation needed] fashion model.
Early life and career
Ghauri was born in Montreal to a German mother and a Pakistani father who was born in Hyderabad, India and emigrated to Karachi, Pakistan when he was young as Ghauri puts it, due to "religious intolerance" in India.[1] According to Ghauri, her paternal family ultimately has origins in Ghor, Afghanistan and has identified as being "half South [and] Central Asian.[1] She was raised Muslim and had a difficult childhood, and was bullied by her classmates at school for her Pakistani heritage. She went with her parents for the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca when she was 12.[2]
At the age of 17, Ghauri was discovered after walking out of a hair salon and being approached in Montreal by artistic director of Platine Coiffure, Edward Zaccaria.[3]
Despite her parents' disapproval, Ghauri actively pursued a modeling career, debuting in Milan and Paris before moving to New York City in 1990. Here, she was noticed by fashion critics and labels alike.[3] The New York Times described her runway walk as a "ball-bearing swivel of her hips".[4] Her appearance prompted part of what is now termed in fashion the "Canadian invasion".[5]
Achievements
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Ghauri enjoyed fame in the early 1990s after her first major cover with Elle in January 1991. She was also seen in Elton John's music video for the song "Sacrifice", in which she starred opposite Chris Isaak. Soon after, she became the face of both Chanel and Jil Sander. By the end of 1990, Ghauri appeared on the cover of French Elle in July and December. In September, she graced the catwalk for Gianni Versace's show in Milan and by the next month, she was walking for Chanel, Helmut Lang, Jean Paul Gaultier and Lanvin in Paris. She became the face of Christian Dior and Anne Klein in 1991. In January, she was photographed by Steven Meisel for the cover of Italian Vogue and toward the end of the year, she appeared in British and Italian Vogue editorials. Photographer Patrick Demarchelier, who photographed her for the Italian issue, called her his favorite subject.[6]
In 1992, Ghauri became the face of Valentino couture and Versace. According to an NYMag.com online model profile, Ghauri walked the controversial Gianni Versace "Bondage" show in Milan in February 1992. Ghauri became the face of Hermès and Lanvin in 1993 and was photographed by Gilles Bensimon for Elle. She appeared in the 1995 documentary Unzipped by Isaac Mizrahi. Yasmeen became a frequent face in Victoria’s Secret catalogs and the iconic swimsuit issues, this served to further heighten her success. In 1996 she began to walk in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
Ghauri retired in 1997, confirming speculations that arose after she stepped out of the Yves Saint Laurent show at the last minute.[citation needed]
Personal life
Ghauri is married to lawyer Ralph Bernstein.[7] The couple have a daughter[8] and a son,[7] and live in Bedford, New York.[7]
References in other media
Ghauri was the inspiration for the character Jasmine in the comic book series Jonathan Steele.[9]
References
- ^ a b @yasmeenghauri (June 12, 2022). "... People often ask if I'm Pakistani or Indian. I identify with both as my father was born in Hyderabad, India but moved to Karachi at a young age due to religious intolerance. If you go back a few more generations, my father's family actually came from Ghōr, Afghanistan ... I'm proud to be half South + Central Asian". Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ "THE MODEL CITIZEN: YASMEEN GHAURI – Melody Ehsani". melodyehsani.com. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
- ^ a b "Yasmeen Ghauri – Biography". Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ La Ferla, Ruth (1991-06-02). "Fashion; Striking poses". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ Silva, Horacio (2005-10-16). "The 'Eh' list". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ "Yasmeen Ghauri – Model Profile". New York. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ a b c Okwodu, Janelle (31 August 2015). "'90s Models: A Look Back at the Faces—Famous and Slightly Less So—That Defined a Decade". Vogue. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
- ^ "Brotherly Roadblocks? Bernstein's Key to New Market". Daily News (New York). 1998-11-16. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
- ^ "Jonathan Steele: Jasmine e Myriam" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
