Her Twitter bio describes her as a ‘raving lunatic.’ However, Zara Peerzada sounds like anything but, on the phone. Instead, the soft-spoken and articulate model comes across as someone grounded, albeit with a slightly bohemian spirit.

Daughter of actor Salmaan Peerzada (Blood of Hussain, Chambaili), Zara — with her chiselled features, perfectly arched eyebrows and long, loose curls — is stunning to look at. Speaking to her, however, one gets a sense early on that she would like to be recognised for more than that. Ather Shehzad, who the model works exclusively with for her fashion shoots, describe her as not just a “beautiful girl,” but “very smart” and “a sensible model.”

2013 was a particularly good year for the Lahore-based model; she graced the covers of numerous fashion and lifestyle magazines. Known for her eclectic fashion sense, she’s also a regular feature on numerous fashion blogs.

From being the face of Luscious cosmetics to high-fashion women’s wear Muse, textile giants Al Karam and, most famously, starring opposite Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui as the National girl, Zara Peerzada seems to be everywhere — and yet, there remains an exclusivity about her. She remains just on the fringe of mainstream success, but that won’t be for long.

How did you enter the world of modelling?

By complete accident. I never really wanted to model; I was always more of an academic person. One day, a photographer saw me at a fashion show and asked me to get my portfolio made, and I thought, ‘Why not, what’s the harm?’ It was around the time I was applying for college.

I was booked for my first shoot right after.

I was apprehensive at first. I felt I would be taken less seriously as a person, because of all the negative stereotypes associated with models. However, once I started working in the industry, and gaining credibility and attention, I began using it as a platform to do all the other things I had wanted to do.

You’ve done a lot of shoots and magazine covers, especially in the last year. Do you feel you’ve become a household name at this point? 

I think I’m very well known in the fashion circle, but to become a household name, there is a certain amount of commercial and television work one has to do. And I’m just waiting for the right project.

Sometimes, I am approached by people who are familiar with the fashion world. They’re very complimentary about my work, which always feels great. But it’s not like I get  recognised when I step out of the house or in the supermarket, or anything like that. I’m also quite petite in person, so people don’t always recognise me from my shoots!

Have you done the runway?

Photograph: Muzi Sufi

I’ve done a few, not any big shows. I’m 5’2” — possibly the shortest working model. For the runway, they require a certain stature to be able to carry off the clothes.

Which of your shoots were fun to work on?

From the commercial work, it would have to be my first major campaign, which was the face of Luscious in 2011. They really let me be myself for that. It’s always great to work with Muse as well.

Apart from that, I really enjoy doing more experimental work. There’s this one shoot I did with Fatimah Shah, an upcoming filmmaker/director, when it was raining heavily outside. We  decided to go for a walk; she had just brought her camera along and I had a guitar in hand. I took off my shoes and we started shooting impromptu with this amazing theme as the backdrop.

How would you describe your fashion sensibility? Are you brand conscious? 

To be honest, I’ve never really believed in brands. I find fashion in the oddest of places, which is also where I derive my inspiration from. Some outfits of mine, which people have liked the most, have actually been from landa bazaar or from some shady corner store. I want to show people that fashion is everywhere and in everything, and it doesn’t have to come with a label attached to it.

You’ve starred in Hatak, a play based on a short story by Manto, and we’ve also had a glimpse of your acting skills in the National commercial. Is this the direction you are headed in? 

It’s a direction a lot of people expect me to go in, but I don’t believe acting is something you inherit from your parents. I want to take time to develop that skill, to see if I’m actually good at it, before I accept a bigger project. Acting is something I really do care about, and I’d like to be able to do justice to it.

Your family must be very supportive of you?

Yes, they’re all artists themselves! My parents have raised me and my siblings to think for ourselves. Even when I was younger, most of the bigger decisions — where I wanted to go to school, what I wanted to do in life — these were left up to me.

Obviously, they were there for guidance, but they really let us pave our own way.

Do you feel being part of the Peerzada family has helped you in the industry?

It always has. When you start out, and I suppose this is true for any industry, people may try to take advantage of you. I feel I was safe from a lot of negative things because of the Peerzada name, and I feel I have also gotten a lot of respect for the same reason. It’s a great environment to grow up in.

Photograph: Muzi Sufi

What are some of your other interests, outside of modelling?

I love travelling, seeing the world. Pakistan is so strikingly beautiful. Last summer, I camped out at the Deosai Plateau. I felt such peace there — at one with God, nature and myself. Another one of my favourite places is Kalash in Chitral.

I love nature, the mountains and hiking. I’m not really into the concept of luxury travelling; I don’t want to go to a new place and just stay at a hotel. I like a more backpacking environment —  that’s how you really get a feel of the land and the people.

I’ve done some charity work as well, and it’s something I would like to continue doing. I believe anything you can do with your hands to influence someone, on a person-to-person basis, can really make a difference. I don’t believe in paper-pushing and going through organisations, because I don’t really see the change, or see where the money is going…

You are active on Twitter and tend to be quite vocal in expressing your political opinions, which is unusual for a model. 

I’ve also been reprimanded for it, by the way! Apparently, a 21-year-old girl’s opinions can be intimidating for some. I’ve literally been told, ‘You’re a model, so hush!’ You’re not supposed to have opinions.’ I find it funny. But yes, I feel people tend to get offended very easily or read too much into things.

As a journalism student, are there any issues or causes you’re interested in, in particular? 

A lot of my projects and research have been about integrating the performing arts (and the arts in general) into our education systems and society, to sensitise us as a nation. We’re thrown these facts and figures and information through news channels, and we don’t necessarily understand what they mean. There’s a lot of hate and misunderstanding going around, so I’d like to integrate more emotion into how we’re communicating.

What projects do you currently have under your belt?

I may be shooting a short film in India soon with a director named Sara Singh. Apart from that, I have some big modelling campaigns coming up, as well as some commercials, but I’m not allowed to speak about them just yet.