THE STYLE PROFILE
YADA VILLARET TALKS ABOUT FASHION, MODELLING, AND BEAUTY SECRETS.
BY ERIKA @ STYLE BOUNDARY
The New Yorker, Thai-French model Yada Villaret has worked as a model for years—with beauty and fashion brands alike. After moving to New York, Yada made her international modelling mark, becoming one of the most sought out faces which landed her deals with Maybelline, Laura Mercier, La Mer, Victoria Secret, Diane Von Furstenberg, Reformation, and Aritzia. Here, the top model on the rise Yada Villaret talks with Style Boundary about her fashion style, modelling and beauty secrets of having flawless skin.
SB: What’s your everyday, go-to outfit? Use three words to describe your style
Yada: My go-to outfit is definitely a pair of jeans and a good basic tee/tank. Obviously, in the winter I will throw over a big coat and a scarf as well! But my style in three words would probably be simple, comfy, effortless.
SB: How is the approach to fashion in Thailand different from New York?
Yada: I feel like in New York people are more open to expressing themselves through fashion. It's so accepted over there and literally, no one will bat an eye no matter how crazy someone's style is. Whereas in Thailand, there's still a super conservative side. Don't get me wrong, there's been such a big, positive change in Thailand's fashion industry when it comes to diversity and style, which has been so amazing to watch but Thailand is still at its' core still quite a conservative country, which I think doesn't allow people to push the limits too much.
''...I FEEL LIKE IN NEW YORK PEOPLE ARE MORE OPEN TO EXPRESSING THEMSELVES THROUGH FASHION. WHEREAS IN THAILAND, THERE HAS BEEN SUCH A BIG, POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY...''
SB: We’ve heard your thoughts of sustainable fashion, investing in high-end/ better quality pieces that you can keep for years. Can you tell us more about your approach to sustainable fashion?
Yada: I think being sustainable through our fashion choices is so important. Obviously, in this day and age, greenwashing has become so prominent that you don't know whether a brand is actually sustainable or if they're just pretending to be.
I would say do research and just try to be more aware and conscious about our purchases. A little goes a long way! I am nowhere near perfect when it comes to this and being in the industry as a model who will be hired to shoot and promote fast fashion also doesn't help, but I do what I can outside of that to help minimise my footprint.
''...BEING SUSTAINABLE THROUGH OUR FASHION CHOICES IS SO IMPORTANT, DOING RESEARCH AND BEING AWARE AND CONSCIOUS ABOUT PURCHASES. A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY ...''
SB: How did you start modelling and did
you always want to be a model?
Yada: I watched so much America's Next Top Model when I was younger but to be honest never thought I would actually get into modelling myself. However, some of my high school friends were modelling and their manager had spotted me and told me he wanted me to sign with him in Bangkok. And I just thought why not? I was 14 at the time and if someone had told me on the day I signed my first contract that in 4 years I'd be moving to NYC to model full time I would've died. I still can't believe next year will be 10 years since I started doing this wonderfully crazy job!
SB: Do you have a favourite styling tip that you've received from the fashion stylist you work with?
Yada: Invest in your basics. Good jeans, shirts, tanks. Good basics are a good base to any outfit!
''...INVEST IN YOUR BASICS. GOOD JEANS, SHIRTS, TANKS. GOOD BASIC ARE A GOOD BASE TO ANY OUTFIT...''
SB: There’s been a shift in the modelling industry where we now see more hair types, skin colours, and body sizes in campaigns and editorials. What progress have you seen and where do we still need to go from here?
Yada: It's been so wonderful to see this happening in the industry. I feel like it's given so many more people voices and a platform to stand out and be themselves rather than to conform to society's expectations of how one should look. However, there are still so many brands and so many industries that still haven't caught on to needing this progress. For example, in Thailand, so many beauty products are for "whitening" the skin because having fair skin is considered elite. Also, the way certain brands showcase diversity is still so wrong - take for example D&G when they did the Chinese ad back in 2018. Brands need to take the time to understand the change that is needed and not just hire one POC for their campaign to show they're pro-diversity, as that always comes across so obvious and forced.
HAVE GLOWY SKIN LIKE YADA VILLARET
SB: You are famous for your glowy healthy skin, please tell us the secrets behind it and what does your skin-care routine look like these days?
Yada: I wish I had one big secret ingredient to share that would make the world go crazy but the reason for my good skin is mainly genetics. Don't get me wrong, I definitely take care of it but it wouldn't be like this from just the products I use.
SB: What are your directions for the future? It can be life/ work-related or anything that you want to share about your future plan with the readers
Yada: I don't like planning too much in the future as I literally don't know what I'll be doing next week and so much can change! For now my plan is to stick with modelling, maybe dabble in some charity work this year and keep working on my mental and physical health!