Elena is an award-winning super model, recently garnering the titles of ‘Maxim World Rising Star’ and ‘Asia's supermodel of The Year’. She has featured prominently in Vogue, Maxim and Marie Claire, and also starred in Bollywood films, such as Karan Johar's ‘Kapoor & Sons’. Although she is known for her strong and striking looks, she is also an influential, international ambassador for female empowerment. The modelling world being the epitome of mainstream femininity, Elena can talk credibly about the issue of women’s confidence. “If you are a successful model, you will have the toughest skin,” she said. “It makes it easier to deal with social media because whatever people might be saying, my agent or management would have given me twice – thrice – the amount of harshness and critique. You have that distance and ability to deal with any left-field comments or criticism. It's a life skill. You become your own PR.” Elena’s informed character and motivational speaking are also bolstered by her law degree which make her both outspoken and sharp: “I’ll never understand why some women have to bash others for being too sexy or skinny – for example that fiasco surrounding Victoria Beckham’s weight. It’s just as harmful as body shaming someone for being overweight or ‘ugly’. In a feminist sense, it’s even hypocritical. That woman feels comfortable in her skin so why shouldn’t she do what she wants? Isn’t women’s equality about being able to make an educated choice?” The fierce role model also made sure to stress the importance of education, personality and social awareness in her talks to school children: “being half Peruvian and Indian on my dad’s side, the latter influence encouraged me to finish my legal qualifications before pursuing the modelling career, for which I was specially scouted. This has certainly built the character and belief in myself that has been so central to my becoming a great model. That’s what I always tell people: it doesn’t matter if you are the most beautiful person in the world, if you don’t have a personality, you won’t get far. I talk at schools about the fallacy of thinking attractiveness is skin-deep. The pictures that young women are aspiring to be are all air-brushed anyway.” Why then, Elena asks, would anyone choose to be an airhead?
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“It’s a false image anyway,” she continued. “In Indian culture, for example, people assume fair skin is superior and that’s not true. It’s far more important to look inside and be able to formulate your own opinions and defend a sense of self. You should only ever compare yourself to yourself. I am a super geek and will always value academics and good personal discipline. For example, I am always travelling for my photo shoots – from London to India to the US – and I have to be primed 24/7. I can’t afford to get drunk and have an off day because my skin needs to be on point; I have to watch my figure and physical health more than the average person.” The supermodel’s faithfulness to personal autonomy is also reflected in her proudly flaunted curvy figure and unique style: “I never follow fashion trends. They are always fluctuating and repeating themselves anyway. I much admire the punk rockers walking around Camden because they don’t apologise for themselves, and really own their identity. High street fashion retailers change their stock like every ten days anyway. It also always surprises me when an industry professional says, ‘oh, I love that style’, when that’s a look that was likely around since the Sixties! Regardless of the season, I love high-waisted bottoms and off-the-shoulder shirts. My favourite accessory would have to be sunglasses. Even in the winter. The sun is out so why not?” But, of course, Elena’s challenge to a flawed system doesn’t stop at eyewear. She is also an ardent activist, involved in animal welfare in India, and helping western charities raise awareness around “the invisible epidemic of poverty in these countries.” Elena has assembled a squad to protect stray dogs in India, providing basic first aid and neutering to the animals. In the UK, she is a “representative for an excellent charity called Best Beginnings that helps children in Britain’s less affluent areas. A child born in Bradford, in its first year of life, is four times as likely to die than a child born in London. And this is in a supposedly developed country! It’s shocking. Again, it’s about having a voice and giving a voice. I have had people tell me: ‘you’re too rude. If you were softer spoken, you’d get further. But my work has never been sycophantic. It’s not about kissing a**. I want to be independent and always make career choices in earnest.” Thus, far from the stereotypical superficiality, Elena’s individualistic trajectory shows us how the definition of beauty is actually rooted in great emotional depth.
Charlotte Dawson, a judge on Australia’s Next Top Model, was driven to depression and taking her own life from trolling. Do you have further comment?
People forget it’s someone’s life they’re affecting. If you wouldn’t say a criticism to someone’s face, why is it any different from behind a computer screen? A lot of women bring each other down too. That just makes it easier for men to talk down to them. We need to learn to support each other. Instead of negativity why can’t we respond positively – ask the model or celebrity what the fitness routine is that helped them achieve that sort of body etc.
Female friendships are incredibly important. What have you learnt from personal experience?
When I went into modelling, my life completely changed and I found out who my real friends were. Some were intimidated and couldn’t understand that I needed the down time. From my side, I was always trying to make and show the effort. If someone is a good friend, you can always easily pick up from where you left off. It is key to communicate well too. If you have a gripe, sit down calmly and talk through the issue sensitively.
With your ability to argue and articulate, I’m guessing you’re an assassin on Twitter?
Oh yes! I’m already prepared. I know what the response is going to be, and what I’ll come back with and then I’ll just round it up and finish it! Having said that though, I’m always really careful not to victimise a ‘troll’. It’s a double standard. Just because you speak louder doesn’t make your right. The way you utilise and pick your words does.
What exactly is the difference between commercial and editorial modelling to you. (I know America’s Next Top Model also likes to ‘discuss’ that)?
Editorial is high fashion whereas commercial is the more bubbly, smiley type of photoshoot. The clothes would be way more top-shop than Gucci for commercial modelling. For editorial modelling, it’s all about the severity, the girls have the high cheekbones the strong faces. Commercial modelling is more your cutesy type.
What are some of your favourite poses to do?
The key is to really be in tune with your body and work with the outfit and make-up you’re given to really channel the mood the client wants. Everyone always thinks fashion has to be some extreme pose -it’s not the case. It’s more of a candid passion.
Finally, what's been one of the most extreme photo- shoots you've been on?
Most shoots that are on location are extreme as you’re working with the weather elements which may not always be in your favour. I’ve shot winter collections in the heights of summer, and summer collections in minus temperatures!
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