Simran L.

Measurements:

Waist: 25 inches

Hips: 33 inches

Bust: 29 inches (C cup)

Height: 5 ft & 4.5 inches

Weight: 100 lbs

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Brown

Tell us about yourself

I am Simran L, a freelance model with a passion for fashion! My hometown is New Brunswick, New Jersey, but I live at Rowan University, where I study Public Relations. I am of Indian heritage and take pride in my cultural roots. I am a social butterfly, and always the first (out of my friends and family) to hop in front of the camera for a picture! 

Tell us about your modeling experience.

Throughout my teenage years, I participated in pageants and several modeling opportunities at my high school. My high school's modeling experience club as well as pageant-like events helped me build my confidence and professionalism in the industry as well. Since I graduated high school, I have done a lot of freelance modeling with many photographers in the different areas I have lived in. 

What is your biggest dream?

Once I graduate, I will use my Public Relations degree to eventually work my way up the ladder and eventually be a specific artist's Public Relations Manager. My biggest dream is to travel the world, modeling for different magazines/companies around the world. Specifically in the France/London/Scotland area (as well as manage my artist remotely). I would absolutely love to be apart of NYFW, but modeling abroad would be a real dream come true. 

What does it mean to be your own kind of beautiful?

"Beautiful" looks different on each and every person, and that's what makes us as individuals even more gorgeous. We are all so different. Everyone has their own cultural roots, their own life story, and their own unique physical beauty as well. The beauty on the outside is already present from the moment we were put on this Earth. However, the beauty on the inside is what needs constant development. Self acceptance, and being the truest version of yourself makes one their own kind of beautiful. Those who are their own kind of beautiful influence confidence on others by simply just being themselves. Living life on your own terms, embracing your roots, as well as expressing yourself in ways that feel comfortable and true to yourself influence confidence on others. Being "your own kind of beautiful" is to be unapologetically yourself... and as a result, you will influence a newfound authentic confidence on those surrounding you.

How would you describe your fashion style?

I believe my fashion style is comfortable and spontaneous. I say spontaneous because it is constantly changing. I always put comfort over everything, but I am not saying I wear sweats all the time. Comfortable clothing doesn't even rule out any of my clothing options because I find dresses, skirts, overalls, heels to all be comfortable as long as it matches my mood. I tend to dress how I feel. For example, if I want to feel like a real badass, I could wear something seductive or all black. If I want to embrace my inner romantic, I might wear a floral lingerie top with a flowy midi skirt. I dress according to how my outfit will either enhance or change my mood. I do not have one aesthetic for my fashion inspiration. Some aesthetics I tend to switch through the most would be: 2000's looks/brands (Juicy Couture, True Religion & Ed Hardy are my favorites), modern streetwear, girly girl, bohemian/hippy and grunge fairy core.

What is your advice to someone who is just getting started with modeling?

Make it a priority to continue applying for different modeling opportunities. Even if you keep getting rejected, you must keep applying to finally score just one. Never let rejection phase you. Remember to treat every opportunity with the same professionalism. Even if you are working with a friend or family member, practice your behavior for the professional world. Use every single opportunity as a learning opportunity to build modeling skills...regardless of how big or small it is.

Describe some obstacles you have overcome in your life and how that has changed or shaped you.

There are countless obstacles throughout my life that have strongly impacted the individual I am today, but something that has affected me since I was a child was the constant bullying regarding my ethnic background. The "jokes" were insanely rude and based solely around my Indian heritage. I would try to disregard my culture throughout elementary, middle and even the start of high school, and any time someone reminded me of it I would frown because I just knew the cruel "jokes" were coming. I was ashamed to be Indian for a really long time because of the stereotypes associated with it and the bullying that came with those stereotypes. Finally, I saved myself without even realizing. Through social media, I exposed myself to several modernized Indian models and influencers that were beautiful and radiated acceptance and beauty. Although they weren't traditional Indian females, they were unapologetically themself and they weren't ashamed of their culture. They inspired me to bring out the most authentic version of myself. Even if I wasn't traditionally Indian, that didn't make me less Indian. I realized that people only picked on me because they knew I would genuinely take offense. Once I started taking pride in my culture, and flipped the script to me being proud to be Indian and flexing my exotic culture, I stopped hearing their mean words. This has changed me as a human being. I will never again be ashamed of anything embedded in me as a person. If it's something I can't change about myself, I learn to accept it. Whatever it is. I will also never tolerate bullying. It doesn't matter if the victim is a stranger, I will stand up for someone who can't speak for themselves because I know what it's like to be hurt so deep, that it is hard to speak or stand up for yourself.

What makes you beautiful/handsome?

I believe the way I carry myself makes me beautiful. I am not ashamed of any part of myself. I take pride in being who I am (inside and out). My resilience, empathy, friendliness, and imperfections make me beautiful as well. My imperfections only make me more human, which makes me more beautiful. I bounce back from any and everything and I feel feelings on this deep, deep level. My social skills as well as my empath skills make me approachable, and reliable which I find to be beautiful traits alongside my confidence that radiates

What would you say to another girl/guy your age who is struggling with their confidence?

​I would tell someone my age who is struggling with their confidence to try shadow work. Dig into your shadow self and your inner child's wounds. Are you being honest regarding hurt from the past? Does it still affect you heavily? Acknowledge all the hurt in your life and become more self aware of all the past trauma in your life(big or small). This will help you to learn yourself and have a better idea of who you are. Once you recognize the wounds that impacted your life most, pour extreme love into those parts. Shower yourself with extra affection, especially those negative parts about yourself. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but releasing all past trauma and healing those inner-child wounds will make an extreme difference with how you view yourself. You will be reminded of all the obstacles you’ve overcome. Once we feel better on the inside, it is easier to love ourselves on the outside. Self-healing is the answer to real confidence, because beauty and confidence resides within.