By Olivia Belande,
Ethereal and romantic in stature, Yasmeen Ghauri is a Canadian-born supermodel of Pakistani and German heritage who quickly swept the nation and helped to diversify the national modelling industry. The supermodel was discovered in 1988 at the age of 17, while working in a Montreal based Macdonald’s location. Quickly thereafter, Ghauri became the face of Chanel, Christian Dior, Jil Sander, Valentino and was frequently featured in Vogue and Elle. At a time when Eurocentric beauty standards dominated the modelling industry, Yasmeen Ghauri was a fresh face full of natural colour who helped found the beginning of an era wherein modelling agencies sought out models who did not necessarily fit within the (then) current white, Euro-passing model archetype. Ghauri’s breakout into the fashion industry helped put Canada on the map, and she is broadly grouped into a set of early 90s models and designers who inspired what we now know as “the Canadian invasion.” Though she retired in 1997, less than 10 years after beginning her career, Yasmeen Ghauri made a tremendous impact on the diversity of the modelling industry, and her essence of both power and grace is still unforgettable.
Photo Citations:
Blanc, Emeline. “The Supermodel-Filled Vintage Versace Campaigns of the 1990s.” Vogue Paris, Vogue Paris, 22 Sept. 2017, https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/fashion-inspiration/diaporama/supermodels-90s-vintage-versace-campaigns-naomi-campbell-claudia-schiffer-kate-moss-christy-turlington-retro-90s-fashion-photography/41231.
Galella, Ron. “Yasmeen Ghauri Attends Gianni Versace Fashion Show on February 13,…” Getty Images, https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/yasmeen-ghauri-attends-gianni-versace-fashion-show-on-news-photo/187969589.
“Irving Penn (1917-2009) – Yasmeen Ghauri Versace Fashion Publication Photo.” Catawiki, https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/30350517-irving-penn-1917-2009-yasmeen-ghauri-versace-fashion-publication-photo.
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Yasmeen Ghauri often walked for Valentino during her high-profile modelling career. The SFRC has a Valentino blouse in the collection:
SFRC Accession Number 1-980-44-09037
Title Black Silk Blouse
Style Period 1980s
Designer Valentino
Description Black long-sleeved silk blouse with a velvet inset at the neckline, pin tucks that begin at the velvet insert and continue downwards along the centre-front and small cuffs with a single button fastening on each.
https://digitalrepository.senecacollege.ca/s/sfrcollectiononline/item/5051