Today we’d like to introduce you to Sobia Azhar.
Hi Sobia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a Pakistani-born, Chicago-raised model. My family actually came to this country because my dad won the very LAST visa lottery that took place in Pakistan. Because the odds of us coming to this country where 1 million to one, I understand that there is a bigger reason for me to be here and a bigger purpose than most that I have to accomplish. Growing up in Chicago, my parents were extremely strict as to what I could wear, what I could do in my free time, and who I could see. This did not sit right in my soul at all. I knew that I was a free spirit that had more to accomplish than becoming a trophy or housewife. Growing up, despite my circumstances, I was always creative. My mother influenced a love for fashion as we’d go shopping at the Macys on state street every weekend (Chicagoans know). Due to this, I began falling in love with dressing in high fashion and taking pictures in shoots that I styled myself. After a year or two of this, I decided I wanted to do more than just pick the outfit in shoots. I wanted to decide the props, the backdrops, location and essentially go into a direction. I began directing all of my own shoots, coming up with the concepts, and finding specific locations for each shoot. After a few months of this, I began to get an even grander idea. What if I made my own clothes for each shoot? After moving to Atlanta, away from family. I was able to have the freedom to dress and do as I pleased. I am currently a seamstress in training and hope to have a luxury brand created one day. Until that debut, I am a proud stylist, model, and art director.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, it has been both a smooth road and a rocky road. The smooth road comes from my natural inclination to creation and attention to detail. It is just in my nature to make sure that every detail is correct and I naturally have a very determined personality so it isn’t difficult for me to finish what I start, which is often an issue that many creators deal with. The rocky part of my journey was definitely trying to seek acceptance from my parents, who are not fans of any form of creation. They believe that a woman’s role is to serve her family first and not think about herself. It took a very long time for me to learn to become my own person who is separate from my family and that guilt that they have placed on me still eats at me to this day. Sometimes I wonder if I took a step in the right direction however I have to keep faith that wherever I am, I am meant to be there.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a print and runway model. I specialize more in print modeling, preferably conceptual or editorial art. Past being in front of the lens, I control things from behind as I also am a stylist and director. I am a seamstress in training! I am most proud of my level of diversity when it comes to direction. I feel like I have much more range than most models who do what I do. I try to always attempt concepts that will be a bit challenging or require extra steps to produce. This allows me to elevate my standard of art, grow and learn from each product, hone in on a new skill, and execute something that the public hasn’t seen yet. I like bold concepts that make you think about what they’re seeing. What sets me apart is my yearning to always adapt something to have the Sobia Signature. There’s a fine line between copying and being inspired by something. I like to let multiple inspirations manifest into one project. That way, instead of my project obviously showing reference, it’s an artful twist on many components and allows for originality to coexist with inspiration.
How do you think about luck?
Luck is the result of utilizing connections. I am extremely lucky that I am not afraid to socialize, ask questions, and remain open to learning. I am lucky that I was blessed with these characteristics. I do not call it luck that I am able to call upon connections I’ve made a few years ago to help me in the path that I’m taking. I don’t call it luck that I am surrounded by like-minded individuals who have the same visions and aspirations as me. Those were just the cards that I was dealt. I am lucky that my father won the lottery to come to America, however, I believe that faith is the real force in all my success. My parents had faith that they would provide a new beginning for their children. I had faith that I’d be able to express myself guiltlessly one day. I have faith that I will continue to grow into a supermodel and luxury brand owner. Yet even faith is nothing without hard work! You have to work hard with faith and that allows things to unfold. From the outside looking in, it can be viewed as luck!
Pricing:
- Model Services by Hour – $40/hr
- Model Service for Day (Up to 8 Hours) – $300
Contact Info:
- Website: Hey, check out my website, “POP STAR PAKI” with this link: https://azharsobia56.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pakipikasso?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits:
Personal Photo (Beauty shot with black gloves) ig @ogd0 Blue Skin Photo – ig @genuinelyxheni Red Pakistani Clothing – ig @thetrendykam Green Backdrop/White Glasses Photo – @thetrendykam Screaming Photo – ig @jwoods_14 Red on Red Photo – ig @jordanbunch Tennis Court Photo – ig @catchmyfinesse Matrix Black Leather Photo – @thetrendykam
