When we think of supermodels, we tend to think of those who remain active within the industry: Cindy, Christy, Naomi, Linda, and Kate are enduring symbols of ’90s-era glamour, but they’re also current working models whose images we are never far from. But many of the most prominent models from the Supers era walked away from fashion to pursue lives beyond runways and red carpets. Of the retired supermodel set, few were as influential as Yasmeen Ghauri, a Pakistani-German star from Quebec who was one of the most visible stars of the early ’90s. Ghauri’s instantly recognizable good looks and Amazonian physique made her a sensation, but her beauty did more than land her a place in ads for Chanel or within the pages of Vogue. Arriving at the end of the ’80s and at the height of fashion’s idealization of blonde-haired, blue-eyed Nordic appeal, Ghauri helped to usher in a more diverse ideal.
Discovered while working at McDonalds—where she was Employee of the Month, no less!—Ghauri defied the objections of her father in order to pursue modeling. Initially deemed too “ethnic” by Canadian casting directors, Ghauri found success abroad, becoming a fixture on the runways of New York, Milan, and Paris before landing a series of bookings that would serve to change fashion. As the first South Asian woman to land a luxury beauty contract, to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel, and to appear on the cover of Vogue, Ghauri didn’t just open doors for the models who would follow her, she broke down barriers. On the catwalk, she became known for her vivacious strut and the distinctive swivel of her hips, but Ghauri’s legacy is more than a killer walk: Photographed over the years by Steven Meisel, Arthur Elgort, Walter Chin, and Patrick Demarchelier—who called her his favorite subject—Ghauri’s body of work still impresses.
Though she officially retired from modeling back in 1997 to settle into life as a mother, philanthropist, and private citizen, Ghauri’s impact is still felt. With the industry once again embracing diversity and a new generation of multicultural stars rising to prominence, Ghauri stands out as a pioneer. In her absence, only a few other South Asian models have risen; few have landed major beauty contracts, and none have become Victoria’s Secret Angels. Many of the milestones that she hit have yet to be matched. Taking a look back at Ghauri’s career, as we do here, provides a striking overview in how much she accomplished in a relatively short period—and a glance at the wealth of boundaries that have yet to be broken.