She's conquered the modeling mountain and expressed herself through art. Shahid Salman meets Iraj, the supermodel who is still peaking.

Mag4you.com: How has the new hairstyle affected your image?
It's too early to say anything concrete, I have yet to experience it. I think it has a shock value that comes with your new image. But majority of people have yet to see it. It's more about how I feel about the cut than anything else.

I feel this energy coming. It's like you come out as a different you. I have cut my hair this short after about 15 years. I feel like a completely new Iraj.

Mag4you.com: Do you feel that this new look is a bit risky considering that it may limit your work as a model?
I'm sure that this might happen. The cultural restraints and the stereotypical fashion market we cater to is bound to roll some stones. I'm not going to cater to theme-oriented shoots anymore.

I'm happy for the fact that I have done it entirely for myself. Modeling was always my first priority but this time, I have done something that I actually wanted. As far as work is concerned, I'm sure people have liked me so far and they'll shoot with me in the future too.

Mag4you.com: How often have you changed your image for a product?
In Pakistan, a model is used as a product. You cannot be an image-maker on your own once you get hired by a particular product. It's a really hard thing for a model.

I would have no say in changing my image but the people who want to shoot me for the campaign will certainly have it. A model is more or less treated like a product. So it gave me more of a reason to change myself for myself. And break through that robotic rut a model has to follow.

Mag4you.com: How important is it for you to change your image?
I'm a very moody and impulsive person. I don't think twice once I'm up to something. I just do it. I would have perhaps gone through ten thousand image changes had it been all up to me, and not the companies who hire us. I have a tendency to change my look more frequently. I don't wait for people's judgments. What I feel I do there and then.

Mag4you.com: How far can you go with your image change for a product's requirement?
First of all we are used as products and hired very cheaply. I'll be willing to go short or do other things if I'm paid the right price for it. Abroad, if a company wants their model to change her look for them, she is financially compensated very well.

Here people are sold very cheaply. We also give in a lot and give of our best but what we get out of it is not the right compensation for our work.

Mag4you.com: Was that drastic change for a campaign?
No, I solely did it for my own self out of my own will. I told her that I want to go short and Nabila caught me there. She told me that you'd look extremely good and it will be a good image change for you.

We did all those looks in a single day and I enjoyed it to the hilt. We had a great time together. She is a brilliant artist. She's a wizard with the scissors. When I got finished with this look, we did a shoot and Nabila gave this idea to the company and voila! It worked.

Mag4you.com: Are you happy with getting the deal as soon as you cut your hair?
Extremely.

Mag4you.com: How regularly do you go for an image change?
Apart from the product makeovers, I like to change myself whenever the urge strikes me. I'm not shy and I don't hide myself from people. I like to be unpredictable.

Mag4you.com: What was your friends' reaction the first time you faced them after the cut?
The first reaction was 'you are wearing a wig'. And I replied that where am I gonna hide my hair? Everyone loved it; as someone said, "it is the reinvention of Iraj."

Mag4you.com: How has it clashed with your personal life?
My family is the most supportive. The first time I told my mother that I want to go short, she told me to go ahead with it. As far as how I'm feeling, I'm feeling great. I guess how you feel inside shows on your face.