Shazeeda

Agencies

Mother AgenCY (MA): Peggi LePage

Toronto/Montreal: Lang Models

London: Body Models

Cape Town: Cover Models

Miami: Front Management

INDIA: INEGA MANAGEMENT

Answers to Q&A

Why did you want to become a model?

I grew up with many people around me saying, “you should think about modelling!” But only in reference to my height. I didn’t grow up ‘pretty’ or ‘gifted’; I was athletic, studious, and awkward. I found it hard to fit in throughout my adolescence. When I finished high school, I seriously considered modelling as a profession. Tucking something to prove into my back pocket, I signed in Toronto. Once I became a model, I felt like a fish out of water for a loooong time. It took me years to develop confidence, work through my self-defeating attitude, and work with all types of feedback.

My reasons for wanting to become a model are very different from my reason to keep modeling today. What started out as a half-hearted, fickle curiosity those years ago has turned into a young career filled with learning, discline, and deep appreciation for culture and art.

What makes you special?

My ability to find gratitude in everything is quite special to me. I think of myself as a grateful person, no matter what comes my way. I spent my life learning this from my incredible parents, who continually remind me that the life I live is filled with things to appreciate. Gratitude easily turns everything I have into enough. It can be easy to fall into the trope of asking “Why me?” When in reality, why not me? I count my blessings, and suddenly my life is filled with reasons why I am equipped for all aspects of my journey. It is easy to be gracious about life when things are going well, but I think it's something special to carry this feeling into challenging times as well.

What are you passionate about?

Healing. During my early years as a model, I’d developed a strained relationship with my body, not eating enough and exercising too much. I stumbled into my healing journey angry, anxious, and overstimulated when a friend invited me to a yoga class in university. I hated it. I went twice a week, at times waking up at 05:00 to make the 07:30 class. Amanda was my instructor, and she had a way of slowing down a warrior series to the evocative point of emotional release, but at the time I didn’t realize the pain was not rooted in holding the pose.

I tend to say that my own healing journey has brought me home to myself and my body. I think education and yoga has healed me immensely. Becoming a yoga instructor further unlocked both my hips and my trauma. Becoming an instructor has also helped others, which has been the most gratifying blessing in my journey. I always want to reflect realized potential back into society with consciousness and a sense of community. Healing is such a special way to improve the world both within and around us, turning our bodies into a home we can enjoy spending time in.

Who is someone you admire and why?

The women in my family are easily the strongest, ambitious, and well-read women I know. Hilarious and frank, they might tell a joke but they never tell a lie. I grew up surrounded by my mother, older sisters, and aunts, all of whom embody family values and personal strength, as well as very successful careers. When I was young, we strengthened our bond together on holidays. They came to my very brief attempt at the local spelling bee and when I lost they bought me ice cream. When kids bullied me at school, my sisters stood up for me the best they could. Times when things at home felt insurmountable, I could always go to them for support and guidance. I owe my own ambitious attitude to their influence, and I feel lucky to have these women to look to for inspiration.

What would you like to see changed within the fashion industry?

This industry has a lot of components that can be hard to keep track of, especially to a new model. Oftentimes models find themselves in unclear situations, not fully understanding the job type, usage, expectations, and eventual payment structure. The work agents and clients do together require greater financial transparency, as myself, agents, and other models will wait to be fairly compensated up to a year after the job is complete, if not longer. Put simply, long term industry goals need to include greater financial literacy. True empowerment comes in the form of educating models in a realistic way about their taxes, managing their finances, and other important expectations. This industry’s volatility necessitates education on financial security for the long term. For models reading this now, consider your future goals and organize yourself accordingly. Have real conversations with your agent about how to map this road, and empower yourself with as much information as you need to be in a stable and future-oriented career.