Meet Diya Prabhakar, the Breakout Singaporean Model Who Walked Marine Serre's Show in Paris

It's hard not to make an impression when you're 1.82m tall and have a face as stunning as Diya Prabhakar's. The Singaporean model, who is just 20 years old, has been one of the faces to watch since winning The New Paper New Face modelling competition in 2014, and has spent the past four years quietly accumulating modelling accolades under her belt. Let's count them: In terms of international appeal, she's been featured in magazines the likes of Tank, Grazia China and Marie Claire UK (not to mention Harper's BAZAAR Singapore too); she's represented by some of the biggest modelling agencies in the world—Storm in London and The Industry Model Management in New York; and her runway records are equally impressive—from her very first runway show in New York for Bibhu Mohapatra earlier this February, to her more recent showings at Christian Siriano and Prabal Gurung's spring/summer 2019 shows, they are nothing if indicative of a brilliant modelling future.

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But the ne plus ultra of any model's career would be walking the shows at Paris Fashion Week, which Prabhakar has also achieved with her most recent turn at buzzy French designer Marine Serre's spring/summer 2019 show. Sporting a sharply tailored navy blue suit and trousers combo, finished with accessories covered with the designer's signature crescent moons, Prabhakar made an impression with her poise on the runway.

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Two years ago, when we shot Prabhakar for our November 2016 issue, she told us, “I would love to make a mark in fashion in Milan, Paris, New York or London, and enjoy the ride along the way.” And she's certainly done just that. BAZAAR speaks exclusively to the model, who just made her Paris Fashion Week debut about her most memorable moments at fashion week, her biggest take away from the experience, the challenges she's faced and more.

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Hi Diya! Congrats on your debut at Paris Fashion Week! Can you tell us what the experience was like?

It’s been really amazing so far. So far I feel like out of all the shows I’ve done, Marine Serre had the coolest location and I genuinely loved their collection. And being in Paris.. it’s such a beautiful city so I’m excited to be here.

What was going through your head when you found out that you had been cast for Marine Serre's show?

I didn’t do the casting for it and my agency told me I booked the show the second I landed, and I was so happy about it. My first show in Paris!

Any memorable moments for you that happened before the show?

One my friends from New York was also part of the show. So it was really nice to meet her in Paris and hang out with her.

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This being your first Paris Fashion Week, were there any challenges that you faced?

Definitely trying to communicate with the French. Right from the start, from ordering food and booking an Airbnb, I had a hard time trying to tell them what I wanted!

What is your biggest take away from this experience?

I learned to be self-sustaining and to figure out how to do things on my own with the help of others.

What's next for you? Are you walking any more shows in Paris?

I have no idea! I hope so. After Paris, I’m heading back to New York.

Diya shares exclusive photos from backstage at the Marine Serre spring/summer 2019 show: