Meet sassy, savvy Shashi, model, actress, entrepreneur, and author of her own life
“So what do you do for a living?” It used to be such an easy question to answer.
You went to school, went to university if you were lucky, figured out a career path for yourself, got a job, and stayed in it, maybe for the whole of your working life.
But we live in a different age, an age of restless curiosity and all the options and possibilities we can handle.
So when you ask Shashi Naidoo what she does for a living, she’s likely to mull over the question for a moment or two, and then tell you that for a living, she does what she loves, and loves what she does.
Born and raised in the friendly coastal city of Port Elizabeth, she studied chiropractic medicine in Johannesburg – you always need something to fall back on – and then fell forward into acting, on Backstage on eTV and Generations on the SABC.
But that was just the start. Today, Shashi is a globetrotting entrepreneur who runs her own model agency, in between modelling, acting, television anchoring, fashion blogging, and… well, you get the picture.
As Shashi puts it in her Twitter bio: “I’m the author of my life. Unfortunately I’m writing in pen so I can’t erase my mistakes.”
We caught up with the ever-busy Shashi to find out she copes with change in changing times.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself for the better, what would that be, and why?
As a young woman growing up, I had a few insecurities that I would’ve wanted to change at a heartbeat, but with maturity, you realise all those quirks give you character. The only thing I would change is having more time.
Q: What do you love most about change?
Change is a time to start something new and create new experiences, that’s what I love the most. Being exposed to as much as possible makes us better citizens of the world I feel.
Q: Where do you go when you feel like a change of scenery?
I just came back from Sardinia, Italy and Barcelona, Spain with my best friend. Travel means a lot to me, because I get time to recoup and learn about a new place. So travelling somewhere new usually does it for me.
Q: What’s your own personal formula for coping with change in your life?
I always try to embrace change. Change always brings something new with it, whether good or bad, just hold your head up and look for the rainbow at the end of it all.
Q: Given that fashion changes so quickly, how do you personally keep up with fashion trends and styles?
Fashion is ephemeral, it must be challenging for designers to bring out new collections every six months.
I treat fashion culture like it’s a friend, there are always at least five trends taking place at the same type, with a variety of interpretations.
I am a firm believer is just having personal style that compliments your life, instead of chasing after every new trend.
Q: What is your personal definition of beauty?
I don’t think beauty is some extraordinary feat that is reserved for a selected few. As Alexander McQueen said “I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it.”
Q: How much change do you have in your pocket or handbag right now?
I keep all my coins in my car. It makes it easier to pay for parking!
Q: What was the single biggest and scariest change you have ever made in your life?
Making the decision to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and starting my modelling agency, Alushi Models, were very big changes I had to make. I am grateful for making those changes, because the rewards have been incredible.
Q: What is the one life-changing fashion or beauty tip you can share with us?
When it comes to fashion, I believe that style is a reflection of who we are. So always get clothes that work for you, not what everyone else is wearing, or what looks good on them.
One thing I have come to realise about beauty is that it is very common. It is just about making a bit of effort here and there.
Picture: The Legacy Project (www.thelegacyproject.co.za)
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