Model of the Week: Scarlett Vadgama
Each week, we take the time to highlight one of our favorite emerging models. Previously, we profiled Hanna Tuuksam and this week we’re turning our attention to Scarlett Vadgama. We caught up with the budding beauty to talk about her career so far, her passion for modeling and her plans for the future.
Nationality: British
Instagram: scarlettvadgama
Have you always wanted to be a model? If not, what did you want to be growing up?
When I was 5 years old it was my dream to be a model, at school I even dressed up as one and pretended to walk the catwalk when we had to come in as what we wanted to be when we were older. As I grew up and went to on to secondary school I lost a lot of confidence in my appearance and thought it would never be possible to me so I changed my direction and I wanted to be a lawyer or an accountant. I wasn’t so passionate about either but they seemed like successful career paths, when I got scouted I lost any drive to peruse either careers as I realised I wanted them for the wrong reasons.
How were you scouted?
I was scouted by my mother agent VR models Management when I was in an airport in Rome. I was on the way back from a holiday I went on with my best friend for our 18th birthdays. My now mother agent, asked me if I modelled, I said I wish, assuming she was just a nice lady, and she gave me her card, told me she was an agent and to email her some pictures. A month or so later I signed with my London agency Select Models London.
How would you describe yourself as a model in three words?
Unique, fun and cool.
Your first modelling job?
My first modelling job was a shoot for Wonderland Magazine in london.
What is your favourite or most exciting thing about being a model?
There’s endless possibilities, you don’t know what or who you could be working for next week. You could even be shooting in another country or continent and that’s always an exciting thought. You meet new people all the time that always have something to teach you, it keeps me pretty inspired and it taught me to be open to new ideas and opportunities. It makes you realise anything is possible. I also love the independence it gives you.
Is there anyone you admire as a role model and why?
My mum, she taught me about strength in ways that I can’t even begin to describe. She showed me selflessness and the beauty of compassion but also how to enjoy life with whatever you have, even if it doesn’t seem like much.
What is your biggest OMG moment to date?
Definitely signing with Select in london, it was a shock to me that I could actually be a model! Dream come true moment! I’m so grateful for them and my mother agent because they always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself and I think that’s the most important aspect in the relationship between a model and their agency.
What is your dream shoot or campaign?
My dream shoot would be a tropical beach shoot. Somewhere in the Caribbean definitely! Natural hair and makeup and just having fun in the sun, paddle boarding or swimming in a waterfall. I love connecting with nature and especially the water and I love natural beauty, I think there’s something to unbeatable about it and I’d love to do a shoot that captures the natural beauty that’s surrounds us in this world as well as the natural beauty we all carry inside of us.
Biggest lesson modelling has taught you?
I can do anything I put my mind to, if I believe I can achieve. Also that life is to be loved, enjoyed and shared, nothing is out of reach for any of us and if you’re dreaming of it you can have it. You may get 1 no, you may get 1000 nos but the only way you can fail at your dreams is if you give up. And I’m never giving up.
The best life advice you’ve ever received?
Believe in yourself.
How do you stay in shape?
I don’t, genetically I’ve always been this size. I used to find it difficult because I’m from a small town where no one looks like me in height, weight or colour so I always felt like the black sheep, literally. My friends would always compliment my shape but others would do the exact opposite and of course that seemed to penetrate my thoughts more than any compliment so I did try to gain weight but it has always been super difficult for me to keep weight on my body, my brothers are the same. When I started modelling I finally started to love my body and I’m so thankful for the confidence that modelling gave me in myself but I think the most important thing I realised was that confidence comes first from self acceptance and self love, without that, no matter how you look, your thoughts can ruin how you feel about yourself. Now I try to eat healthy so that I have more energy and feel happier, sometimes I do an ab workout but I’m still working on making it a regular thing. Some people don’t believe I eat what I want, which includes a lot of carbs and even fast food but when they spend time with me they realise it really is just how it is and how it’s always been for me.
What do you think about fashion?
To me it means making you feel the most confident and the most yourself. I think what you wear should be all about you so I like to wear my clothes rather than them wear me, I don’t like anything with heavy branding because I feel like I’m advertising. I think clothes should make you feel like the bees knees, no matter what that is. I think everyone’s fashion is a personal thing so I don’t really follow trends or fashion icons, I just like what I like. Fashion is constantly changing, especially now so I like to wear what makes me feel good, comfortable and super confident.
How would you describe your style?
I always dress for summer no matter what the weather because I love summer! I just throw a coat of jumper on if I get cold. I would say a mix between cute and cool, I’m not sure if that makes sense to anyone but it makes sense to me.
Denim or leather?
Denim, definitely denim!
Heels or flats?
Flats but one day I will conquer the heel!
Vintage or contemporary?
I love anything timeless.
When you’re not busy modelling, what are some of your favourite things to do?
I love the beach, spending time in the sea and sunbathing on the sand. Dancing and just feeling free to move to my favourite music, with my friends but also when I’m just alone. Watching movies, doing facemasks and painting my nails are things I just love to do on a Sunday, lazy sundays are perhaps my favourite days of the week. Waking up early in the morning, making pancakes and having my friends over for breakfast is also something I love to do! Meditation, walks in nature, crystal healing, energy work and practicing mindfulness is something I do everyday, when I’m staying in the city it can be difficult to find any nature but I always locate my local park and spend a lot of time there, when I’m near a farm I always try to take a trip there too. Spending time with my family and close friends, laughing, talking about the just how crazy the universe is and having a good time together is what lights my heart up, I’ve never been a big party person, I love an early night!!
What are you working on now and what do you dream of for the future?
Right now I’m really interested in energy healing (reiki), crystal healing and astrology. I feel really spiritually connected to all of those things as they’re practices that have really helped me in my life and had major effects on me. I’d love to eventually start my own business once I’ve trained in reiki that works on healing energetic and spiritual channels. I’d also love to train in astrology so that I can read people’s birth charts as I think they give a lot of wisdom that can prove to be very helpful in someone’s life when they’re in need of a bit of guidance. It’s my dream to also sell crystals and give tarot card readings to people because these are all things that I really think could benefit people and help them find guidance, joy, love and happiness like it has done for me. Overall I just want to spread a message of love and peace and prove to people that it exists, it can be found and the power to find it is inside of us.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to still be modelling because I love my job so much. I also hope to be running my own business and helping people worldwide. I see myself as being successful and happy, spending most of my time with my family and friends and definitely living in a warm tropical place where the beach is on my doorstep. I’m not quite sure where I’ll be in 10 years, no one is, but I just hope I will be happy, healthy and fulfilled and I hope the world is too.
Thank you Scarlett for this taking the time to talk with us!
Interview by: Clinton Gonsalvez
Special Thanks to Elena Ghesini @ Women Direct Management (Milan).
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