| Birth Place: | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Occupation: | Model |
| Years Active: | 1988–1997 |
| Spouse: | Ralph Bernstein |
| Children: | 2 |
Yasmeen Ghauri is a Canadian former fashion model.[1] Ghauri is known for her walk also quoted as the "walk of life" by Tyra Banks.[2] She is one of the first women of South Asian descent to appear on the cover of Vogue.[3]
Ghauri was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to a German mother and a Pakistani father who was born in Hyderabad, India and emigrated to Karachi when he was young. According to Ghauri, her paternal family ultimately has origins in Ghor, Afghanistan, and she has identified as being "half South [and] Central Asian.[4] Raised Muslim, Ghauri had a difficult childhood and was bullied by her classmates at school for her Pakistani heritage. She did her Hajj with her parents at age 12.[5]
At age 17, Ghauri was discovered after walking out of a hair salon and being approached in Montreal by artistic director of Platine Coiffure, Edward Zaccaria.[6] Despite her parents' disapproval, she actively pursued a modelling career, debuting in Milan and Paris before moving to New York City in 1990. Here, she was noticed by fashion critics and labels alike. The New York Times described her runway walk as a "ball-bearing swivel of her hips".[7] Her appearance prompted part of what is now termed in fashion the "Canadian invasion".[8]
Ghauri's first major cover was for Elle Magazine in 1991 and was later booked to walk for high fashion brands.[9] Ghauri did her own makeup because there weren't enough shades for her skin tone.[10] In 1992 Yasmeen also walked the infamous Versace ‘Bondage’ show and became the face of Hermès and Lanvin.[11] She also signed with Victoria's Secret becoming one of the angels.[12]
Ghauri enjoyed fame in the early 1990s after her first major cover with Elle in January 1991. She was also seen in Elton John's music video for the song "Sacrifice", in which she starred opposite Chris Isaak. Soon after, she became the face of both Chanel and Jil Sander. By the end of 1990, Ghauri appeared on the cover of French Elle in July and December. In September, she graced the catwalk for Gianni Versace's show in Milan and by the next month, she was walking for Chanel, Helmut Lang, Jean Paul Gaultier and Lanvin in Paris. She became the face of Christian Dior and Anne Klein in 1991. In January, she was photographed by Steven Meisel for the cover of Italian Vogue and toward the end of the year, she appeared in British and Italian Vogue editorials. Photographer Patrick Demarchelier, who photographed her for the Italian issue, called her his favorite subject.[13]
In 1992, Ghauri became the face of Valentino couture and Versace. According to an NYMag.com online model profile, Ghauri walked the controversial Gianni Versace "Bondage" show in Milan in February 1992. Ghauri became the face of Hermès and Lanvin in 1993 and was photographed by Gilles Bensimon for Elle. She appeared in the 1995 documentary Unzipped by Isaac Mizrahi. Yasmeen became a frequent face in Victoria’s Secret catalogs and the iconic swimsuit issues, this served to further heighten her success. In 1996 she began to walk in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
Ghauri retired in 1997, confirming speculations that arose after she stepped out of the Yves Saint Laurent show at the last minute.
Ghauri is married to lawyer Ralph Bernstein, with whom she has a daughter[14] and a son. The family live in Bedford, New York.[15]
Ghauri was the inspiration for the character Jasmine in the comic book series Jonathan Steele.[16]