Spotlighting new talent has always been at the forefront of GT’s mission and this fortnight we bring you Natalia Castillo—a rising star in the fashion industry. Styled in Lajwanti by Zahra Sarfraz and captured by the lens of Asad Bin Javed, she proves in this editorial why she is here to stay.
What inspired you to take up modelling professionally?
I’ve always loved being in front of the camera, but modelling wasn’t something I had ever planned on taking on professionally. Friends would always ask me to model for things in the past, because I’m quite tall and then when I came back to Lahore six months ago, things surprisingly took off quite quickly. I realised I could make a serious career out of it. Honestly, days on set barely feel like work, so I figured I found my calling.
What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as a model?
I would say my strengths are definitely with editorial style posing; I love contorting myself into new shapes and seeing the results on camera. Weaknesses would probably be my 41 shoe size, because I never fit into sample size shoes.
Biggest career high so far?
This right here, right now-my very first magazine cover!
Do you have a fitness and beauty regimen?
I box fairly regularly, but sometimes it’s hard to find time if I’m shooting back to back. However, I’ve boxed for years and just really enjoy hitting things. As for a beauty regimen, not really. I’ll take my makeup off with coconut oil at the end of a day and then just use face wash and call it a night. I’ve been blessed with skin that doesn’t give me any issues. Oh and I always use sunscreen in the day!
How would you describe your personal style?
That’s a difficult one, as some days I feel very colourful and feminine; on other days I’ll just be in all black or sweats. But one thing is for sure, I love crop tops. I don’t even think I own a shirt that covers my midriff all the way.
What do you consider the toughest aspect of your job and how do you overcome it?
5am call times and shoots that go on for 15-16 hours. Waking up is hard for me, even if I’ve gotten a full 8 hours, so I’d say that’s definitely the toughest part. Not letting how exhausted you are show up on camera can be very challenging at times.
Where do you hope to see yourself in the next five years?
On the cover of Vogue.
Describe your dream project.
My dream project would be working for a brand that flies me out to somewhere tropical and also gives me some creative freedom with my posing.
Photography: Asad Bin Javed
Muse: Natalia Castillo
MUA: Imran
Styling: Zahra Sarfraz
Wardrobe: Lajwanti
