A glance at her will get you musing, “Wait, have I seen her before?” odds are, you probably have; because at panoramic billboard high, the entire city gazes at you in awe. Faiza Ashfaq has been the face of some of the biggest brands, ubiquitously and glamorously strewn around the cityscape. You have seen her glorified on billboards, batting eyelashes in commercials and posing demurely for textile brands, the young starlet has the penchant to reinvent herself in front of the camera’s snare. For Faiza, it all commenced three years back, in the chilly month of December in Thailand. She was shooting for her first television commercial, that she recalls to be a mundane ‘juice ad’. It was there, that she was given her big break with photographer Yasser Sadiq, a chance to be a part of a campaign shoot for Gul Ahmed.

Meanwhile, interesting beginnings were waiting for her in store back home; upon her arrival to Pakistan she was asked to work with photographer Rizwan ul Haq, officially kick-starting her career as a fashion model. Unprecedented acclaim and success swept away the model and she has been shining bright since then. Over the years she has lived, and relived the billboard dreams, being the grace of brands like Khaadi, Beach Tree, Bareeze, Sheep, Asim Jofa and others. In a cosy chat with MAG, Faiza keeps it real, fun and full of fire. Read on…

Your most memorable moment?

When I saw myself on the biggest billboard in Karachi. It was unbelievable.

The scariest moment?

I am scared of heights so I gifted myself a skydive ticket!

First celebrity crush?

It would be David Beckham.

A celebrity you wish to work with in future projects?

It would be an honour to work with Ellen DeGeneres.

Your favourite colour/s?

White.

If you were stranded on an island, you would?

I hope I won’t be stuck there alone... Or else there is no hope for me!

Your craziest fan encounter?

I once met a girl who asked for a part of my hair so that she can get her dyed the same colour as mine. It was definitely the craziest encounter I had.

The most embarrassing moment?

I can’t recall one right now.

If you had the choice to wake up as someone else one morning, who would it be?

I would love to wake up as Priyanka Chopra. Well, who doesn’t?

If not a model, what would you choose as an alternative career choice?

I don’t know anything besides being an artist. An alternative career choice as a painter may work for me.

If you get to choose being stuck in an elevator with someone, who would you want it to be?

David Beckham, again!

If you would want to change an aspect of your appearance, what would you change?

I would absolutely change nothing about my physical appearance, it’s how God has made me.

A superpower you want?

Oh I think I already have one. I am miraculously not addicted to my phone, unlike the majority.

If made president for one day, what would you do?

What our current president is doing right now.

Your biggest phobia?

Acrophobia!

Your idea of an ideal man?

A gentleman. Someone who is nice to everyone.

What do you see yourself saying to a 10 year older you?

I am so proud of you.

An advice to a 10 year younger you?

Go and try. Harder.

If you were to author your autobiography, what would be the title?

I will name it ‘Winners Stand Alone’. Sums up my life.

If you were asked to step into the shoes of a character from a movie, which role and movie would you pick?

I would like to live the character of ‘Lucy’ from the thriller movie Lucy.

Your favourite singer?

Hands down, Adam Levine.

A drama and movie you recently watched?

Sacred Games on Netflix.

Extroverted or introverted?

Kind of both.

Summers or winters?

Winters for me!

It’s mountains or beaches for you?

For me, it’s beaches always!

Your definition of an ideal woman?

Everything and anything Ellen DeGeneres is!

You can’t live without?

My younger brother.

What is the one thing you can’t forgive anyone for?

I don’t work this way. I believe in forgiving and forgetting. Can’t hold grudges.

You get emotional when?

Oh! I am always on an emotional roller-coaster!

A beauty regime you swear by for your skin?

The first and the most basic step is to clean your skin properly before going to bed, every night.

Your workout regime?

I surprise many people when I say this, I don’t work out. Don’t have any workout regime.

How would you define your style sense?

I like to keep things minimal yet in vogue.

How do you unwind after a tiring day?

A perfect hot bath is the solution!

What is the one thing that makes you impatient?

Unnecessary waiting. It annoys me no end.

What is the most important think you’ve learnt in life?

To live and let live.

You’re addicted to?

A heartbeat.

Three words that describe you?

Humble, ambitious and headstrong.

One thing a woman should never do?

A woman should never stop believing in herself.

Men should?

Be truthful, for starters.

A turn on for you?

A good sense of humour.

A turn off for you?

Body odour.

Something you are good at?

I am always organised.

Something you are not too good at?

Cooking… I can’t cook!

How long does it take you to get ready?

It takes me maximum 20 minutes to get ready.

Is there something you would never wear?

I wouldn’t want to wear anything with shoulder pads.

Favourite thing to wear would be?

My pyjamas!

A habit of yours that you like the most?

I keep to myself and mind my own business. Everyone should.

A habit of yours that you dislike the most?

I can be very anti-social at times, which I feel I shouldn’t be.

Hair, make-up and photography: Akif Ilyas