Jasmine Maierhofer: Fairest of Them All
MANILA, Philippines - Women need confidence to enable them to try new things, pursue opportunities and enjoy the good life. The “Live on the Lighter Side of Life” campaign of Olay Natural White Bar is about helping them achieve this confidence. The campaign encourages women to forget the same old usual choices they make that keep them from stepping out of the shadows and living on the lighter side of life. Olay invites women to live on the lighter side of life with newfound confidence by revealing their skin’s natural fairness all over with the new Olay Natural White Bar. It all starts with trying something new for a change.
If you were to flip through a fashion magazine today, chances are, you will come across several photographs of Austrian-Filipino model Jasmine Maierhofer. To say the least, she is one of the most recognized and celebrated models in the industry today, making her presence felt not only in some of the most inspiring fashion editorials but also in the city’s biggest fashion shows. Hers is the kind of beauty that easily stands out in a crowd and leaves an imprint in one’s memory.
At 11, Jasmine started her journey into the world of fashion. While in her family’s resort in her hometown of Mindoro, she was discovered and asked to move to Manila to try out modeling. While taking part in a mall event, a talent agent had taken notice of her statuesque stance and distinct features and soon signed her on to become a fashion model. Having grown up in a small town province, the idea of modeling, though now seemingly natural to Jasmine, was a concept completely alien to her. Assimilating to city life had also proven to be quite the challenge. She shares, “Growing up, I never thought or expected that I would end up modeling. The word ‘model’ did not exist for me back then.”
As she was in her teenage years when she began life in front of the camera, Jasmine recalls, “When I started modeling, I had major skin problems. So when I started out, I was often intimidated because being in the city and working with people in the fashion industry was so new to me. Also, with my skin problems, I knew that they were commenting on my skin,” recalls Jasmine candidly. Not one to let anything bring her down, she quickly found her bearing in the cutthroat business of fashion and worked extra hard to learn her poses and improve herself. “First, I found ways to improve my skin. I began to drink as much liquids as I could. I started a regimen of constantly cleansing and moisturizing and finally, eating a healthy balanced diet,” the bright-eyed beauty describes.
Today, Jasmine is one of the most in-demand models in town, juggling fashion show rehearsals and photo shoots day in and out. While she had certainly managed to adjust perfectly to the schedule and work environment of the fashion industry, Jasmine remains a top choice for many tastemakers in the industry not only due to her undeniable good looks but also because of the distinctive brand of innocence and sincerity that she brings to the table. She reflects, “I guess it’s also a good thing being one of the youngest models in the industry today. For me, each job does not feel like work but more like time to spend with the more senior people in the industry and learn from them. I also see it as play at some times. As far as I am concerned, I don’t remember feeling the stress or pressure during a shoot or shows.” She even candidly adds, “Since I am the youngest and most inexperienced, I also get teased a lot.”
It is exactly because of her unassuming and grounded nature that working with Jasmine is a pleasure. That, and of course, her professionalism, which is highly regarded in fashion. She says, “I had always gotten criticized when I was starting out but I never thought of it as a means to bring me down. Instead, I always take these things and turn them into reasons to become a better version of who I am — both as a person and as a model.” Only two years into modeling and Jasmine has already reached great heights. Other fashion cities in Asia like Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Singapore have also been smitten by this young looker, allowing her to explore the world through her work. But despite her success, Jasmine insists, “It’s not enough to look good. It is also important that you always stay grounded, be friendly with those you work with and always know where your place is.”
Her dream project? “I want to do a beauty campaign. Since I had always had problems with my skin, when I began to get projects for beauty, I was completely surprised and overwhelmed. I hope that one day I will be able to do a big shoot for beauty.”
By the looks of it, it certainly seems that her dreams are only a few winks away. Living on the lighter side of life makes it easier for Jasmine to achieve her dreams.
