As she sashays into the room, she looks every bit the professional model that she has been working hard to be. Through the course of the interview, we come to realise that Yamini Chander has got the features, attitude, fashion sense, an unperturbed perseverance and a dream that is concurrent to her model aspirations. And yet, looking beyond all that, she is just another teenager, with an innocent enthusiasm to share details about her profession and choices.
Take off
The 16-year-old says that modelling has always been a passion; something that she always aspired to be as. “I would look at models on TV and try to imitate the way they walk and pose. I looked at them and felt I want to be like them.”
From then on, modelling has been Yamini's single-focused pursuit. “I got my portfolio shot by Martin Prihodo, a fashion photographer who shoots for the likes of Vogue in Mumbai. I chose to get it done there because it' s the best place to go to for such purposes,” reveals Yamini, adding her portfolio landed her many assignments, including her first: a ramp show in Bengaluru for designer Anjali Rai, choreographed by Manish Dev. She was 15 then, and obviously the youngest.
Ask her if her age is an impediment, ‘No!' comes the quick response. “In fact, it is an advantage. Everybody keeps saying that it's a good age to start off at,” she says while agreeing that it's similar to the trend abroad where models start off at a very young age. With age playing a positive tune, Yamini says that her dream would be to tread the ramps of Milan — a city to which every model and designer's dream takes them. “I want to be like Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai,” she adds while including the Miss India pageant to her dream list.
Her recent claim to fame has been winning the Akshar Fashion Diva 2010 title. Held at Pune recently, the event saw participation from 30 models from across the country. “It is different from a beauty pageant in the sense that here the focus is on you as a model. You are judged on your modelling capabilities.”
The event proved to be a good learning experience for Yamini where there were intensive grooming sessions on how to walk and talk before the camera. But most importantly, professionalism, punctuality and hard work are what she has learnt and realised these are the aspects that will give her an edge in this competitive industry.
Balancing act
After the learning and the crowning outing, Yamini is back to work. She just modelled for designer Rehane's Wills Fashion Week catalogue. And more shows are in the pipeline. What about school you ask? This Std XI student of Lady Andal has smartly opted for the National Institute of Open School programme that her school offers. Through this she has the freedom to take exams whenever she can, while getting the time to pursue her passion.
After all this serious talk, one is reminded that she is just like any other teenager when she says wide- eyed, “I am a big, big fan of Michael Jackson. I have posters of him in my room and listen to his music morning and night. I can even do the moon walk (and almost jumps at the request of a demo). He is one of my idols. I am inspired by his hard work.”
With so many things including the bliss of a regular school life sacrificed, doesn't she miss them? “No, I don't,” comes the firm answer, contrary to her soft persona. “That is because I have an aim in life that I am working towards.”
Fitness
“I used to be a plump kid. But when I started thinking about modelling seriously, I worked accordingly. I eat well and at the same time exercise a lot too. My mum is a fitness instructor who used to run a fitness centre.”
Her fitness regime includes: Floor exercises for an hour in the morning, and swimming for two days a week for two hours. Plus the calories burnt at ballet classes. “One should eat good, balanced food. I eat rice too. Being a south Indian, I can't give that up. I also make sure that I have good breakfast. And most importantly, no junk food, which I have given up. I also don't eat sea food.”
Beauty secret
Yamini swears that she doesn't go to the parlour at all except for getting her eyebrows done. “I like natural products. That's why we go for home-made packs, the recipes for which we read in magazines.” Moisturising herself before going to bed everyday is a compulsory part of her grooming routine.
Tested recipe:
Milk powder 2 tbsp
Ground oats 2 tbsp
Honey 1 sp
Coco powder
Mix them all together with water and apply on to your face. A good hour later, this face pack is sure to give you a natural glow.
