Future Proof
With
Hannah Motler, Shanelle Nyasiase & Dipti Sharma
They’re the new faces (and bodies) walking all the best runways this season. Meet the smart, stylish women you’re going to be seeing a lot more of: HANNAH MOTLER, SHANELLE NYASIASE and DIPTI SHARMA
SHANELLE NYASIASE
In a bumper FW18 season, Nyasiase, 22, walked in 43 shows for brands including Valentino, Gucci, and Givenchy, and opened and closed for Loewe. The South Sudanese model was then snapped up for campaigns for fashion powerhouses Alexander McQueen, Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace.
GROWING UP, I WANTED TO BE A FLIGHT ATTENDANT. I really wanted to see the world, discover new places and spend my time up in the sky. I never thought about modeling until I was scouted online. Now I’ve realized my dream of traveling, but in a totally different way.
SEEING OTHER MODELS DO WELL MAKES ME HAPPY. I don’t look at other girls and wish I had their career – those girls hitting the big time are paving the way for models like me. They’re an inspiration. Modeling has made me so much more empowered; now I know that if I work hard I can make my dreams a reality.
I GREW UP IN A HOUSE FULL OF LAUGHTER. Family is the most important thing to me and my mother is still my biggest inspiration; there’s nothing a hug from her can’t fix. When I have time off I love traveling home to Nairobi, where my family now live, to hang out with them and my friends.
MY DREAM DAY OFF WOULD BE SPENT AT THE BEACH, just lying on the sand listening to the waves roll in. I find the sound of water so peaceful and I like to be out in the fresh air as much as possible. That’s my best beauty advice – let your skin breathe. When I’m not chilling, I absolutely love to dance, it’s such a release.
HANNAH MOTLER
English model Motler, 17, made her industry debut at the SS18 shows, first at Calvin Klein, then Coach, Marc Jacobs and Victoria Beckham, followed by major campaigns for Miu Miu and Versace.
I’VE ALWAYS BEEN OBSESSED WITH FASHION. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve pored over the pages of glossy magazines, completely in love with and in awe of the beautiful clothes, dreaming that one day I could wear something just like them. I guess this also explains how I became a shameless shopaholic.
I WANTED TO BE A VET FOR A REALLY LONG TIME. I absolutely love dogs; I actually just got two new cocker spaniel pups. It wasn’t until I got scouted in Manchester, at a One Direction concert (I was a hardcore fan…), that I considered modeling as a career. Since then I’ve met so many brilliant people and feel really lucky to be part of such a creative industry.
WALKING FOR CALVIN KLEIN WAS A REAL ‘PINCH ME’ MOMENT. It was the first runway show I’d ever done and the first time I’d ever been to New York City, which was the icing on the cake. The best modeling advice I’ve received is to never compare yourself to anyone else because everyone has their own individual journey, but moments like [the Calvin Klein show] make me really proud.
I KNOW HOW TO DO DOWNTIME. To relax, I either stick on an episode of Friends or read. I’ve always loved books; at the moment, I’m reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood for my English Literature A-level. It’s brilliant. My dream day off would definitely be a shopping trip in London.
DIPTI SHARMA
After kick-starting her career by exclusively walking for Balenciaga SS18 (the ultimate endorsement), Sharma starred in the brand’s campaign – the first ever Indian model to do so – and became the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty.
I LIVE IN NEW YORK, BUT INDIA IS HOME. I grew up in a very small town called Rudrapur in Uttarakhand. My childhood was amazing because I lived with all my cousins – we grew up together, went to school together and played together. There was a real sense of community and love as we were all so close. Moving from the slow pace of life in small-town India to New York was a shock, but I love living in the city.
I NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT MY JOB. It has given me so many amazing experiences and the opportunity to travel all over the world, which has helped me grow as a person. I feel so much more confident and independent than I did when I was starting out.
EXERCISE AND MEDITATION HELP ME UNWIND. I’m a very spiritual person and I love to meditate, but I also find exercise can be just as relaxing. When I’m on the road traveling and can’t make it to the gym, I’ll go for a morning run instead. For me, exercise is a form of stress relief.
STRONG WOMEN INSPIRE ME. My mother and grandmother are my rocks and ultimate role models. I also really admire Karlie Kloss; she has built an amazing career and carried herself with the utmost grace throughout it all. The best advice I’ve ever received is not to take anything to heart, just keep working hard and you will be where you want to be, if not today, then tomorrow – Karlie is a testament to that.