I caught up with model of the moment, Diya Prabhakar, right in the heart of one of the world’s fashion capital, London. We met on a beautiful Friday on campus at London College of Fashion, where I’m currently studying, to shoot something exciting. She was my muse from the start and I was beyond thrilled when I found out that she’s currently in London — Even more thrilled when I got the green light to shoot her! Funny how things work out for you, sometimes.
But anyway, I’m sure you’ve heard of her, or seen her on news stands gracing the cover of the latest issue of Her World decked out in full Burberry. But if not, you should be ashamed.
If you paid close attention to the runways, you’ll also see her walking for Singapore Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week, DAKS during London Fashion Week and even a Sadie Williams presentation.
You can’t miss her, really, standing tall at 5’11, she’s armed with a head full of gorgeous curls, a killer smize and a bubbly personality to match. The eighteen year old has come a long way since winning The New Paper New Face back in 2014 and has since been signed to Looque Singapore, Anima Creatives India and also Storm Models London.
The world has an abundance of beautiful people which makes it so hard to be a model, albeit a good, successful one. Diya, on the other hand, is a natural at it. We spent five hours rushing to shoot four looks and she breezed right through it.
How has things changed for you since you won The New Paper New Face contest in 2014?
Taking part in New Face definitely gave me more visibility in Singapore.
What has been the hardest moment in your journey as a young model
I think facing rejection and pulling yourself together. All the time I’m in room filled with gorgeous girls, skinnier prettier younger than me. So reminding myself I’m good enough and it doesn’t matter if I didn’t get the job now, i should just keep working hard and doing my best.
What’re you up to these days in London?
I’m just running around to different castings and doing e-commerce jobs. It’s quite a slow period in London right now so I’m honestly just chilling and exploring London! In my spare time in between castings I’m either hitting the gym or watching Netflix.
What has been your pinnacle moment in your career so far?
This brand flew me down to Japan for a campaign and we were shooting in these island with different villages and even art installations in the middle of paddy fields! I got to experience so many new things like, you know how when you go to different countries, like Japan for example.
You usually only end up in Tokyo or the main cities but doing things like this — going to unexplored parts of countries — is what makes modelling great. It gives you these opportunities. Plus the whole team was just fantastic. They were so nice and we just all had a blast. We even karaoke-ed till 4am on the last night!
You’ve walked many international runways to date, Which has been your favourite?
London Fashion week has by far been the best, even though It was so crazy and hectic. All the buzz and running around is such an unforgettable experience, probably even the highlight of every young model’s dream.
If you could chose one fashion house to walk for, who would it be?
Chanel, hands down! Have you seen their amazing sets? I would love to walk for them.
Take us through your daily schedule as a model!
Usually If it’s a weekday, we either have a job or casting. Storm, my agency here in London, will usually send us 3-5 castings a day — If it’s fashion week it can go up to 17 excluding fittings! Usually no matter what I have it gets done around 5 so I would hit the gym if I’m not too tired and then I go home and just crash, read my kindle or watch tv
Is there anyone you look up to, be it in general or in the fashion/modelling industry?
I look up to both Gisele Bundchen and Binx Walton. I admire Gisele for her ability to juggle her career and family life so perfectly. Also, she seems super down to earth. I definitely want to have kids one day, so Gisele’s life is the dream! I also look up to Binx because she has done so much good work, work that I would love to do at some point in my life. She is the ultimate example of how you don’t need instagram followers to do great things.
Do you have anything to say to other young girls who aspire to be models?
To always be confident and never lose hope. Sounds cliche, but it’s true!
What do you think about diversity in fashion these days?
It’s definitely becoming much more accepting. We finally see more brown and Asian people in major fashion weeks, especially in New York and London. Even huge campaigns! The industry is slowly changing and becoming better in terms of accepting more girls of different skin tones. For a model of colour like me, it means the world that i get a part, albeit a small one, in representing girls all over who look like me.
Featured image from Her World
