Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Plaboni Sharif. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Plaboni, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
In every room, I look for someone like me; usually, there are few or none. It often feels daunting to know that I’m the only person in the room regarding many of my identities, whether a woman, queer, or brown. However, I know that it’s what makes me different that makes me unique, and if I am the first to step into a room, I will be the first of many because I am a trailblazer. It doesn’t matter what you look like because, despite those things, you are still in that room and deserve your spot. The most important thing is to show up authentically because that is what shines through. Embrace what makes you different, and that’s how you will stand out.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Plaboni Sharif. I’m a 25-year-old petite curve model based in Atlanta, GA. I started my modeling career in 2021 through content creation by partnering with brands like Parade on social media. As I progressed through content creation, I worked on photoshoots and walked on the runway multiple times. As a published model, I’ve been featured in magazines and even worked on video projects, such as SoFaygo’s recent album trailer.
As a petite, curvy Bengali model, I seek to break barriers in the fashion industry by advocating for diversity and inclusion. Growing up, I did not have many role models who looked like me, whether short, curvy, or brown. Today, I want to be that person for myself. By being authentic, I want to show others that you do not have to be anyone else to be beautiful. By embracing every part of me, whether being a bisexual Muslim woman or having a disability, I want people to know that every aspect of our identities deserves celebration. If there is no space for me, I will create it for myself and those just like me. I hope my creative journey shows that our uniqueness and differences make us powerful.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. Chasing your dreams requires the courage to get up every day and take one step toward your goals. When you are genuinely passionate about something, it excites you, and sometimes, with excitement comes fear. What if things don’t work out? Courage asks us, “What if it does?” Ask yourself if chasing your dreams are worth conquering your fears. 2. Creativity – Sometimes, things don’t work out as planned. Imagination allows us to discover new possibilities. When you come to a roadblock, ask yourself how to move forward. With some creativity, you can come to the correct answer.
3. Strength allows us to persevere even when things get tough. We often forget how powerful we are. When times get hard, remind yourself of the things that make you strong.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone who has a clear vision. As a model, I want to be able to work on some cool projects, and I love when a client has a clear goal in mind. I enjoy being able to collaborate on the creative direction, especially being able to add my flair to a project. With a clear vision, my ideal client is ready to execute while investing in the project. As a model, I am a stylist, makeup artist, and creative director. The perfect client would invest as much time and money as I would to truly execute a vision. I work with a plan and a purpose, and I want a client who does the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.plaboni.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plababe/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/plabonisharif/
Image Credits
Shotsbygo, Kumiko Ming, Houston Ray, Freddie Tucker
