ROSE & IVY Journal No.12 : A Place to be Free

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place to be ree f

Photography by Daniel G. Castrillon

See By Chloé Blouse and Skirt, available at chloe.com; J. Hardyment Ring, available at jhardyment.com

Duncan Tartan Coat, available at duncan-nyc.com Apiece Apart Suenos Lace Dress, available at apieceapart.com

ARTICLE22 BRACELETS, explore the collection at article22.com

Yigal Azrouël Sweater and Pants, available at yigal-azrouel.com; J. Hardyment Earrings, available at jhardyment.com

left to right IN THE BREEZE BODHI LEAF EARRINGS, available at article22.com LAOS DOME EARRINGS, available at article22.com

GIA HOUSE DRESS, FAN EARRINGS AND HANDBAG Available at cultgaia.com

Eleven Six Cardigan, available at eleven-six.co; Markarian Ginevra Corset Dress, available at markarian-nyc.com Mari Giudicelli Hudson Boots, available at marigiudicelli.com

L.F.Markey Dress, available at usa.lfmarkey.com; J. Hardyment Ring (left hand), available at jhardyment.com; Ming Yu Wang Ring, available at mingyuwangnewyork.com

MEET PRITIKA

The model, activist and student shares her inspiring mission and the power of kindness.

How did you get discovered as a model? I was discovered by one of my current managers while I was on a family vacation at Disney World. Growing up, I never saw Indian women being represented in magazines or in entertainment, so I never thought of modeling as an option. Next thing I knew, I was in NYC signing with the number one modeling agency at the time.

You are currently studying at Columbia University, what are you studying? I’m studying Financial Economics and Psychology at Columbia. I had planned to graduate this coming spring, but I made the decision to enroll part-time this year because the intensity of my work schedule has increased significantly. Now I’m on track for next fall. I’m grateful to attend a school that has been so supportive of my career and flexible with my schedule.

What would you eventually like to do once you receive your degree? I’ve been exploring various options, but long-term I definitely want to have a career in which I can bring all of my experience in the fashion industry and incorporate that into finance. I don’t want to limit myself. In addition to modeling, I am working as an analyst on the direct investments team at New Legacy Group, while managing a secondary market investment fund run by Columbia students called Praetorian Management. I hope that all of these experiences will prepare me for what’s to come.

You are very involved in many charitable organizations, including Operation Smile. Can you share more about that? I first got involved with Operation Smile while in middle school as a teen volunteer. Their mission resonated with me from the start, as I saw the need for treatment of individuals with cleft palate and cleft lip conditions. Fast-forward a few years during a trip to India for various shoots, I came across many orphans with cleft lips. In that moment, I knew I had to become involved in a greater capacity, and as an ambassador for Operation Smile I’m able to make more of an impact in providing support for these children while witnessing the work that our volunteers are doing across the world.

What does your role with them involve? My role as an Operation Smile ambassador is all encompassing. I represent the nonprofit organization and it’s mission through various outlets such as press conferences, leading fundraising initiatives globally, meetings to facilitate strategic partnerships, and participating in the organization’s medical mission trips— trips that involve providing necessary support to patients and their families through the surgery process, while acclimating the patients to life post-surgery. We have over 60 foundations globally, so I work directly with our foundations from India to South Africa.

For the most recent trip to Cape Town, South Africa and Nampula, Mozambique, Operation Smile and I joined efforts to raise awareness through multiple platforms; I spoke at schools and universities about our mission and the importance of advocacy, as well as held interviews and led conferences for groups such as Operation Smile South Africa’s regional ambassadors. I also had the opportunity to be on the ground on our mission site, which I love the most.

Why is it so important to use your platform to give back? I feel blessed to have a platform to which others look to for inspiration, and believe that as an individual in the media and entertainment space, there is a great deal of responsibility that comes with my role. I choose to use my platform to highlight important causes because I believe that together we can increase awareness and make a greater impact on this world. My goal is to keep building my platform to set a strong example for others.

Can you share a few words about the power of kindness? Kindness can be contagious. When others see a person being kind, it becomes easier for them to act in a similar manner.

L.F.Markey Jordy Dress, available at usa.lfmarkey.com; Mari Giudicelli Hudson Boots, available at marigiudicelli.com

Styling by Alison Engstrom; Starring Pritika Swarup at One Management; Makeup by Meg Kashimiura; Hair by Aleetha Clanton

Photographed by Ryan Slack Written by Alison Engstrom Styled by Ana Tess