Model Citizen
By Caroline Bodkin

Half-Indian, half Irish-French supermodel Saira Mohan offers a universal, penetrating beauty edged by a riveting intellect. Newsweek magazine recently called her the "new global standard of beauty,” a label that is an appropriate fit for Saira who, though keenly in touch with her Indian roots, denies she belongs to any one particular culture. Instead, Saira is a self- proclaimed ‘citizen of the world.’ Remarkably versatile and astute, Saira is not only a supermodel, but an entrepreneur, an actress, a talented painter, a published writer, a wife and mother. Sweet-faced Helen may have launched a thousand ships, but the face of Saira is the send-off of to a global revolution. Here, Saira offers thoughtful and passionate opinions on aesthetics in the context of culture, fashion and society.

EGO: Your look has been described as ‘exotic.’ What do you consider exotic to mean?

SM: ‘Exotic’ has a pretty standard definition in the West, meaning being “from another part of the world”. This explanation seems to be good regarding everything from women to fruit. When I am in India, I can also look “exotic” to the locals – only this time, it is my very light skin rather than my very dark complexion that seems to make the label make sense. People see what they want to see [as exotic].

	Saira Mohan's Website

EGO: Your mother is French-Irish-Canadian, and your father is Punjabi. Which parent do you see yourself in most?

SM: I have my mother’s temper and goodness. I have my father’s “one-ness”. He has a deep and calming sense of spirituality that has never involved my mother. Even after all these years of marriage, she still has no idea what he’s saying when he prays everyday.

EGO: Do you think that beauty and fashion are synonymous?

SM: ‘Beauty’ is merely a reflection of someone’s own aesthetic values—whereas ‘fashion’ is the canvas of the designer. If that designer creates a piece that I aesthetically value or appreciate, that canvas or fashion will seem beautiful to me. However, that very same aesthetic value might not be a value for the same person next to me. So, “bad fashion” doesn’t really exist anymore than bad art does.

From a scientific perspective, there is a standard of beauty that has been set over the course of five million years and substantiated by researchers worldwide for decades. That standard is defined by the concept of symmetry in the face and a ratio of hips-to-waist. Nancy Etcoff, a researcher from Harvard University, wrote a great book called “The Survival of the Prettiest” which expounds on this theory.

EGO: You left home at 15 and traveled the world as a model. How did exposure to so many different countries and cultures shape your world-view and yourself as an individual?

SM: I have traveled the world many times over and have had to question and rethink my beliefs. Growing up for me has hinged on this process [of traveling and questioning]; I still find myself constantly re-evaluating because of what life throws at me.

EGO: How much of your sense-of-self has to do with your cultural heritage?

SM: I have been striving to not have a culture. Culture is best enjoyed when one can adapt to other people’s culture when it is appropriate. I consider myself a student of humanity. After having lived and worked in many cultures, I have cherry-picked the best things about all cultures and tried to discard the rest.

EGO: Recently, the New York Times published an article titled “Generation E.A.: Ethnically Ambiguous,”* which suggests that “the latest youth marketing trend [is] using faces that are ethnically ambiguous.” What do you think of this phrase?

SM: I am extremely familiar with the article. I have renamed the term in my own mind as "GenEA" -- standing for Generation Ethnically Aware. I think this GenEA group could become the world's first global generation of any note because it will constitute a revolutionary idea – the existence of a global character. The cool thing is that anyone, irrespective of culture, age and income, can participate in this endeavor. I hope young people will catch on to and become leaders in this movement.

EGO: The article also suggests that global marketers “increasingly highlight models with racially indeterminate features.” Some would say that your “look” falls into this catEGOry. Do you think this trend has made a difference, positive or negative, in your career?

SM: It hasn’t affected my career one bit. I can tell you that I am a successful model for one reason: I sell the client’s clothes. If I had to offer up a second reason, I would say that I am capable of squeezing two full days of work into one, if I have to. It’s professionaliSM: not much else.

EGO: At the same time, your “mixed” cultural background is still in the spotlight. Do you feel responsible to represent those cultures?

SM: I am more representative of the concept of “Saira” rather than “Culture.” My mixed background alone doesn’t give me a right to represent anyone but it makes those from different cultures a little more open to my perspective. That’s empowering for sure. As for responsibility: it’s burdensome. Any responsibility that is significant and important doesn’t exactly feel like a day-in-the park. It’s ironic that the more successful one gets in any field, the more politics comes into play, and the more one has to watch their mouth.

EGO: Do you consider yourself a role model?

SM: I have gotten fan mail saying that I am indeed a role model. And, I absolutely believe there is a certain responsibility to that.

EGO: On your web site, you’re quoted saying, “It is every individual’s unique differences that make them exciting and worth knowing.” Can you elaborate on this?

SM: In one sense, it is rather romantic to ascribe “uniqueness” to ourselves. We all want to feel special, different, and unique…but just how unique are you? You show the same set of teeth as I do when you’re happy. I try not to get wrapped up in that nonsense. I am unique only so far as you and I differ specifically. Discovering those differences is a beautiful process – part of what makes life worth living.

EGO: Saira, you have done so many amazing things besides modeling. You are also an artist, an actress, a writer, a businesswoman, a wife and mother. What has been the most exciting thing for you to accomplish?

SM: The most exciting day of my life was the birth of my son, Romen Alexandre. Before Romen, I used to say my marriage. However, my husband and I agree that the birth of Romen was truly unlike anything experienced before.

EGO: What do you like to do next?

SM: I have quite a few short-term goals on my plate. At the moment, I am deeply immersed in business school at the University of Chicago. I am studying business and entrepreneurship. These days, I have a laser-like focus on school. I would also really like to do a little more sleeping…now that you’ve asked.