Tell us about yourself.

My name is Yasmine Elgashi and I am 23 years old! I was raised in east Tennessee where the grass is high and the mountains are even higher. In August of 2019 I moved to New York City to further pursue my modeling career and it was by far the best decision I have ever made. I grew up with a Peruvian mother and an Egyptian father. This diversity within my childhood highlighted many of the similarities and differences I see amongst people. Since living in NYC I have been able to see exactly what diversity truly means. It unites us all in so many ways and makes us more culturally aware of our neighbor which is so important socially and in this industry. 

Tell us about your modeling experience. 

My modeling experience has consisted of fitness and boutique modeling. I would love to extend my modeling career into a more diverse portfolio and maybe add some editorial work! 

What is your biggest dream? 

I can’t really choose just one honestly! My biggest dream has always been to provide my fellow females with a healthy image of themselves and what the word “beauty” truly means. Since I was young, I always imagined myself modeling for ZARA, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein and the like. I believe I can tie together my two dreams and show, through these brands, that beauty comes from many different places. 

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

Being your own kind of beautiful means being comfortable in your own skin. I truly believe beauty comes from the soul and radiates in a version of confidence. 

How would you describe your fashion style? 

I love this question because I’m a big fashion enthusiast! When it comes to my color palette, I try to keep my tones muted and monochromatic for a sleek vibe. As boring as it may sound to some, I feel as if a clean look allows you to dress up or dress down almost anything! Accent pieces are everything here! You can add a little bit of spice to a nighttime look with a neon handbag or some bold earrings. During the day, a chunky patterned belt or even a pair of eye-catching sandals turns your look from plain to saucy! When I dress like this, I feel the most confident. However, this Summer/Fall I would like to branch out and work more colors and textures into my wardrobe! 

Who or what inspires you? 

My inspiration is my parents for their work ethic. Both of my parents immigrated from their respective countries and moved to New York in the early 80’s. They were young, inexperienced, and didn’t have a full grasp of the English language. They started from scratch and built a beautiful life for themselves and set me up for success. It wasn’t easy for them, but they never gave up and taught me that hard work and perseverance can take you far. They give me hope that my modeling dreams can and will come true as long as I work hard and give it my all. 

What have been your greatest accomplishments? 

I would have to say that my greatest accomplishments to date have been graduating Cum Laude from East Tennessee State University with a BS in Exercise Science, being a dog mom to my golden retriever, Oliver, and moving all by myself to New York City to chase my dreams! 

Do you have any special talents? 

My special talent is also kind of a hidden one. I’ve always loved interior design! You don’t get many opportunities to show this talent in practice, but I just love putting together a room, making a cozy space, or playing with natural light. Interior design is a fun hobby that I actually considered getting my degree in, but I felt I had more of a calling with exercise science. When I’m not designing workouts for my friends, I’m spending time helping them decorate their new home. My two best friends in Florida just purchased a beautiful home and I had a very fun time helping them put together some practical yet beautiful spaces. 

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

When I first moved to NYC, I was living in Staten Island in a family friend’s basement for dirt cheap, just to get myself started. I was working at Bubba Gump’s in Times Square and making the 2-hour commute to and from every single day. A bus ride, a ferry, and a train all the way uptown. Most nights I wouldn’t get home until 5am due to transportation delays and would have to wake up at 9am to be on time for my noon shift. This was very hard on me, but I’ve been able to handle it because the end result has been worth it! In fact, just to get to NYC I had to work 4 jobs in order to pay off my student loans, maintain my car, and save up for the big move. This took my work ethic to a higher standard and forced me to become more responsible and better with time management. Doing so made me realize dreams don’t come easy and hard work is key! 

What makes you beautiful/handsome? 

There are a lot of things that make me beautiful aside from my physical features. A kind heart and compassion for others are also beautiful features. The saying goes “If you look good, you feel good; and if you feel good, you look good.” There will always be someone skinnier or taller or “better looking” than you but TRUE beauty is all-encompassing. What makes me beautiful is both inside and out. 

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

I would say that you ARE beautiful and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!! As I have gotten older, I have learned to not fixate on the things I can’t change about myself but rather embrace them. I felt more confident and beautiful in my own skin when I stopped comparing myself to other women I saw on Instagram and started embracing what makes me unique instead of what makes me look like everyone else. Your confidence will soar to unimaginable heights when you realize this! We are all unique in our own ways and by exuding that confidence you can own it, wear it, and show others how to as well! By building others up, you build yourself up too.