By: Nudrat Mustafa
That gorgeous girl with bubbly personality is not only our favorite, but would be yours too, if by chance she is not already! Kanwal Ilyas has all the right things in perfect percentage which a model should have. Talking to her in detail about a number of things, we at Social Diary came to know how wonderful she is, inside out!
- Tell us about your background education, dob and star sign?
I have studied fine arts from pucad and video production from NCA. I was born in October so that makeS me a scorpion.
- Tell us about your journey. How did you enter the modelling industry?
I was doing this job when I was offered a local fashion show. I don’t know what makes me do it. And then many opportunities opens and then I had to quit my job in order to pursue this career. ‘Ramp ki rani kon’ was a hit show back then in which I was a first runner up among all the participants. And then I started modeling as a career.
- How did your family react to the news of you entering the field?
Obviously in our society back then it was hard to accept this field. I was already doing fine with my job and studies. Out of nowhere I told my parents that I am going to do modelling because it’s so much fun. Actually I was bored of doing my 9 hours job so I wanted to do something different and exiting. So with time I had to educate them for it. Now they are proud of myself.
- And when did you know a career in beauty was for you?
I never knew it was for me. It was just by luck I got into it. And then eventually and gradually I groomed myself.
- What is your idea of fashion vs. style?
Fashion is a trend which everyone follows and style is your own identity. So following the fashion with style is what I prefer.
- Please share something about your upcoming project?
Upcoming is a lot of things are happening. Towards TV, commercials and some of other work. You will have to interview me again for that. So stay tuned!
- Can you tell us what makes you a good fit for this highly demanding profession with the competition being so tough?
Well now you may have seen many new faces who are coming in fashion industry and they are surely doing good work. One has to make their space through hard work, passion and a good behavior. Which is missing these days in some of them who are new. If you want to be successful you have to be grateful, down to earth, be nice to your colleagues and people you work with. For me all these things matters because I always respected my seniors. I’m sincere to my job and honest to myself. Most importantly you have to trust in yourself and God. He is the one who gives you whatever you wish.
- What are the biggest challenges models have to face?
Well in modeling people say it’s very easy job as you just have to stand in front of the camera or just get clicked. In real it’s way more than that. We have to smile when we don’t want to. We have to stay out in cold in summer clothes when we are shivering. We have to do a lot of rehearsals before a fashion show to make it perfect for people. In summer we wear jackets and warm clothes for winter collection. We have to work on odd timings and for long hours for a campaign. Where it’s a fun job it’s also a lot of other aspects we always have to look.
- If we take a peek in your makeup kit what would we see?
I use sunblock , mascara , lip balm , under eye concealer , blush on that’s it. Because normally it’s always a lot of makeup so I make sure I don’t use much on my face otherwise personally.
- What was your most memorable campaign so far? Why?
Well there are a lot of campaigns which I have great memories from. There was this campaign I did for a brand with Abdullah Haris photographer a little time back. It was a shoot in old Lahore eid campaign. It was a bright sunny hot day. We started the shoot early because there were a lot of outfits we had to finish before day ends. I remember it specially because we interacted with locals kids and people, had desi nashta from old city. Despite of the fact it was a hot day shoot came out very well. And natural as the photographer wanted it. It was one of the memorable shoot.
- Give Makeup Mania readers a “hands on” beauty tip we can do at home.
I drink lemon water occasionally to detox my body. Warm water first in the morning. For skin drink a lot of water and sometimes use face masks for rejuvenation. I use egg mask and because my skin is oily so I sometimes use mud mask too. Try to eat healthy food and less junk. Exercise 3 to 4 days a week. That’s all my personal routine.
- Can you talk about a fan encounter that completely took you by surprise?
It happened like a lot of times. But recently in fact a day earlier i was having lunch in a mall in Islamabad with my friends and a guy came to us met my friends first. I thought he is a friend of my friends but then he said hi Kanwal I am you big fan and been following you on social media since five years. His eyes was sparkling with joy and excitement to see me. Then he requested a picture with him say thanks to me n went off.
- When you’re not busy modelling, what are some of your favourite things to do?
I travel. I love travelling when I’m off from work. If not I stay home or meet my friends spend time with them.
- Someone you always look upto for advice?
My mom.
- How do you maintain a reasonable balance between personal and professional life?
I can manage it very well. Because it’s not a daily job so it’s not that tough. I manage my dates that’s all I have to maintain. Rest it’s all manageable. I take time out for my family and friends and for myself easily Alhamdolillah.
- Tell us something about yourself that very few people know?
Well, I’m a spiritual and religious person as well. I have a good strong connection with God. I see life very closely as a keen observer. Well in this glamorous life we all have some personal aspects to see life as well. I am soft hearted and a sensitive person because I’m a God gifted artist as well so that’s what I have in me. And yes I love dogs.
- What is the first thing you notice in people?
Their vibes! Negative or positive. I just get it as soon I meet someone. I’m good at it.
18. What advice you would like to give to the aiming models who look up to you as their inspiration?
My advice is simple which is “respect you seniors and co-workers”. Your time will come so don’t rush it. Be patient. Be grateful for whatever comes your way. Work hard. Stay blessed !
- ‘Your motto of life?
My motto is to do something good for people who are in pain and eliminate their suffering either emotionally and financially.
- Quick choose round:
- Organic or Junk food?
Organic
- IPhone or Samsung?
IPhone
- Guilty pleasures food vise?
French fries and ice cream
- Facebook or Instagram?
- Karachi or Lahore?
Lahore
- Coke or Pepsi?
None
- Day or night?
Day
- Cats or dogs?
Dogs
- Book or movie?
Book
- Sports or games?
Sports
- Laughter or smile?
Laughter