Yasmeen Ghauri facts for kids

Yasmeen Ghauri is a Canadian former fashion model. Ghauri is known for her walk also quoted as the "walk of life" by Tyra Banks. Being Pakistani, she is one of the first women of South Asian descent to appear on the cover of Vogue.

Early life and career

Ghauri was born in Montreal to a German mother and a Pakistani father. Ghauri, who was raised Muslim, had a difficult childhood due to being bullied at school by her classmates for her Pakistani heritage. She went with her parents for the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, when she was 12.

When she was 17, Ghauri was discovered while working at a McDonald's restaurant by Montreal hairdresser and artistic director of Platine Coiffure, Edward Zaccaria.

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. Her appearance prompted part of what is now termed in fashion the "Canadian invasion".

Career

At age 17, Ghauri was discovered after walking out of a hair salon and being approached in Montreal by artistic director of Platine Coiffure, Edward Zaccaria. Despite her parents' disapproval, she actively pursued a modelling career, debuting in Milan and Paris before moving to New York City in 1990. Here, she was noticed by fashion critics and labels alike. Her appearance prompted part of what is now termed in fashion the "Canadian invasion".

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 favourite subject.

In 1992, Ghauri became the face of Valentino couture and Versace. According to an NYMag.com online model profile, Ghauri walked the Gianni Versace 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 catalogues 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.

Personal life

Ghauri is married to lawyer Ralph Bernstein, with whom she has a daughter and a son. The family live in Bedford, New York.

See also

In Spanish: Yasmeen Ghauri para niños