You’re Pakistan’s top supermodel and yet you’re venturing into TV this year. Tell me a little about your role in Alif?

Alif is a very different kind of story and it was a challenge that I took on; I love challenges and they drive me. I initially felt that I wouldn’t be able to do it, especially in front of so many senior artists. But I took on the challenge and managed. I play Hamza’s fiancé in the drama and I’m also a fashion designer of the caliber of an Elan or Shehla Chatoor. It is a solid, significant character and I’m waiting to see how it turns out.

What is the best thing you’ve experienced in Alif and what makes you most nervous?

I was completely speechless when Manzar Sehbai came and sat down in front of me. I lost my nerve, completely. I forgot my dialogues completely because he’s a brilliant actor. But the good thing is that the big actors, the veterans, they are the most humble and helpful. I learnt so much from him and from Hamza. I felt like I was working with a very supportive family. They gave me time to learn and correct my mistakes when I made them

Fashion Editor: Aamna Haider Isani

Creative Director: Nabila

Styling: Tabesh Khoja

Photography: Shahbaz Shazi

Hair & makeup: Nabila

Model: Sadaf Kanwal

Wardrobe from Lahore: Mahnoor; from Nabila’s personal collection:
Celine, Issey Miyake, Comme des Garçons and Zara

Sadaf Kanwal has earned a supermodel status thanks to her head turning looks, her poise on the catwalk and her general style-savvy aura. Sadaf walks the walk with
absolute grace and aplomb. But there’s more to this model, who celebrated her 27th birthday this week, and is all set to make a significant appearance in upcoming drama serial Alif this month. She’s ambitious, rebellious and defiant of criticism that targets her personal choices. She’s the kind of girl we love hanging out with!

Will your commitment to fashion change as you foray into acting? Many models go very conservative to appeal to the masses as they step into television.

This will also be a challenge for me because I do want to stay in fashion and I also want to appeal to the masses and be acceptable to them. As I said, I love challenges, but I admit this is difficult for me sometimes. Fashion demands something completely different from the dramas or telefilms that I’m doing; on television I have to get into different characters but for TV I try to work on the Sadaf that you’ll find at home, not at a fashion show. I have to do it but yes, I think I can and will do it.

How do you feel about social media trolling, especially comments on your wardrobe, personal style or on your item number for NMA2, for example. How do you deal with the negativity?

I really don’t care and it actually makes no difference to me when people troll me, when they criticize my clothes or my face … I really don’t care. I have to live with myself and see myself to the grave. At times I do wonder what kind of people are these trolls; they must be people sitting so far away, in their air conditioned rooms and passing hurtful judgement on others…sending ‘laanat’ or calling us derogatory names but I don’t know who they are and I don’t let it bring me down. I just want to do my best possible work and be satisfied with that.

Now that you’ve turned 27, how do you plan to modify your fitness regime?

I generally try to live a very healthy life; I eat well and try to stay fit. But I do feel quite old right now and have to sit down and plan a regime that is best for me.

This image is part of an editorial shoot that Sadaf did for Instep, to create awareness on the absolute havoc plastic wreaks in our lives. It’s a cause close to her, she says, explaining how she is trying to eliminate as many single-use plastic products from her life as possible. It isn’t as simple as it sounds, she says, but she is trying.