Saffron Vadher on resilience, identity, and a decade in fashion

“I think resilience means always trying your best, even when things don’t go according to plan. But I also think it’s about knowing when it’s okay to change direction or let something go.”

Journeys often begin with an epiphany, a dream realised or an opportunity seized. But for the British-Indian model Saffron Vadher, the story, however, is not shaped by a single defining moment. Instead it’s the sum of a decade’s worth of lived-in experiences that continue to propel her on the global runways even today. But ask her about a decade in modelling, she speaks less about the runways she has walked, and more about the destinations her schedules took her to, the cultures she has immersed herself in, and the people she has met along the way. A former graphic design student, modelling simply came along the way for Vadher. A Burberry debut in 2017 was all it took to set the pace, and what followed was a string of magazine covers and coveted runway appearances for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, and more—building the kind of portfolio that speaks for itself.

But fashion is merely the backdrop to her much bigger story. Diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of three and now the ambassador for Leukaemia UK, Vadher works to raise awareness about blood cancer. However, she remembers that chapter not as a defining label, but as the foundation for the quiet resilience that shapes her today. Steering clear of fashion’s appetite for familiar archetypes—Vadher wears her British-Indian identity with quiet pride, and credits her family and friends for keeping her grounded in an industry that often rewards reinvention. It is this quiet ease she carries herself with that keeps her curious about the world around her—and leaves the rest of us equally curious about her

Harper’s Bazaar: What has changed most about you as a person since you first stepped into this profession? 

Saffron Vadher: I think I’ve become much more comfortable in myself. I started modelling during my teenage years, so in many ways I was still growing up while working in the industry. Over the years, I have become much more confident in who I am and much less worried about trying to fit into every room I walk into. I have learnt to trust myself and my instincts. I think that is probably the biggest change.

HB: You were diagnosed with leukemia at the age of three—has overcoming such a life-altering challenge influenced the way you approach success, setbacks, and ambition? 

SV: I think it probably has. Having that experience at such a young age has given me a perspective that I’m incredibly grateful for. I’ve always appreciated everything my parents did for me, but the older I get, the more I realise what they must have gone through themselves. I’m now at an age where a lot of my friends are having children, and there are lots of young children in my family, so I see everything from a completely different perspective. As a child, you only really understand your own experience, but as an adult I’ve started to understand theirs too. The love, strength, and sacrifice it must have taken is something I don’t think I could have fully appreciated until now

HB: If you could write a letter to your seven-year-old self—the girl who had already fought one of life’s biggest battles—what would you tell her? 

SV: I think I’d tell her that she’s just about to begin a whole new chapter. By the time I was seven, I was going into remission, so in many ways it really was the start of the rest of my life. I’d probably tell her not to worry—there won’t be nearly as many needles in your future! But more than anything, I’d tell her to carry everything she’s learnt through that experience into everything that comes next. There will be incredible adventures, wonderful people and opportunities beyond anything she could imagine. Keep being curious, keep being kind, and never lose your appreciation for life. Those things will carry you through.

HB: In 2024, you became an ambassador for Leukaemia UK. What motivated you to take on this responsibility, and what impact do you hope to create through your association with the charity? 

SV: Becoming an ambassador for Leukaemia UK felt incredibly meaningful because it’s such a personal cause for me. As a child, I experienced the support that charities can offer children and their families, so giving back in this way was always something I hoped I’d be able to do. Of course, raising awareness and supporting research are hugely important, but I think the biggest impact I can have is speaking directly to children and their families. Sometimes it just helps to speak to someone who’s been through something similar.

HB: When you think about resilience, what does the word mean to you today, beyond the often-romanticised definitions we hear? 

SV: I think resilience means always trying your best, even when things don’t go according to plan. But I also think it’s about knowing when it’s okay to change direction or let something go. Sometimes we can be so focused on never giving up that we forget there’s also strength in recognising when something isn’t right for you anymore. I’ve learnt that life doesn’t always go exactly as you planned, and that’s okay. Sometimes the unexpected path can end up teaching you even more than the one you originally had in mind. To me, resilience is about continuing to move forward, whatever that looks like.

HB: As a British-Indian woman, have you ever found yourself navigating multiple ideas of identity, beauty, or belonging within the fashion space? 

SV: I’ve probably experienced it at times, but I’ve always felt comfortable in who I am. Being British-Indian is something I’m really proud of, and I’ve never felt I had to choose one side over the other. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up with both cultures because they’ve each shaped who I am in different ways. I think representation has come such a long way over the years, and it’s been wonderful to see more diversity being celebrated. There’s always more progress to be made, but it’s exciting to see those conversations continuing.

HB: Do you believe the archetype of the global Indian model has genuinely expanded, or are there still limitations in how Indian women are represented internationally? 

SV: We’ve seen some really positive changes over the years, and it’s been exciting to watch that representation become stronger. There are so many talented Indian women doing incredible things across fashion, film, and the creative industries, and I think that’s helped broaden the way Indian beauty and talent are seen internationally. Of course, there’s always more progress to be made, but I think we’re moving in a really positive direction. I hope the next generation grows up seeing even more possibilities than we have today.

HB: Fashion has long shaped ideas of femininity. What does femininity mean to you today? 

SV: Femininity is so much more than the way you dress or how you look. Whenever I think of femininity, I always think of my nan. She’s one of the kindest people I know, and she’s always carried herself with such quiet elegance. I’ve always admired the way she makes people feel, and I think that’s stayed with me.

“As I’ve started exploring acting, I’ve come to realise that creativity isn’t really about becoming someone else, it’s about understanding yourself and bringing different parts of who you are into the work you do.”

HB: Has constant exposure to different cultures, people, and places changed the way you view the world? 

SV: Travelling has been one of the greatest educations of my life. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to experience so many different cultures, and I’ve always loved immersing myself in a place rather than simply passing through. I love hearing people’s stories, learning about different traditions, languages and ways of life, and seeing the world through someone else’s perspective. It’s taught me that people are often far more similar than they are different, regardless of where they’re from. I think it’s made me much more open-minded, curious, and appreciative of the world, and it’s given me a huge respect for how much there is still to learn. For me, the most memorable part of travelling has never been ticking places off a list—it’s always been the people I’ve met along the way.

HB: How do you maintain a sense of self in an industry that often asks people to become many different versions of themselves? 

SV: I think I’m really lucky to have such a grounded group of people around me. I have close friends I’ve known for years and a family who have always treated me exactly the same, regardless of what I’m doing professionally, and I think that’s incredibly important. As I’ve started exploring acting, I’ve come to realise that creativity isn’t really about becoming someone else, it’s about understanding yourself more deeply and bringing different parts of who you are into the work you do. No matter what role you’re stepping into creatively, you still have to know who you are when you come home, and I think that’s what keeps me grounded.

HB: How would the people closest to you describe you? 

SV: This is such a funny question because I think you’d probably get a different answer from everyone! A friend recently introduced me by saying I’m always somewhere unexpected, meeting someone new, which made me laugh because it’s probably true. One week I might be in Uganda, the next in Paris, and then back at my local pub with friends. But something that’s always stayed with me was what my friend Sarah Grace’s mum once said about me: that I “never meet a stranger.” I think it’s one of the kindest things anyone has ever said to me. I’ve always loved getting to know people and making genuine connections, and I’d like to think the people closest to me would say that’s something that’s never changed.

HB: What advice would you give young women entering fashion today? 

SV: My biggest piece of advice would be to stay true to yourself and never feel pressured to do anything you’re not comfortable with. People will always remember you for being yourself. I’d also encourage people to make time for the things that bring them joy outside of work. Those experiences will shape you just as much as your career will.

HB: Beyond modelling, what do you hope people remember about you? 

SV: I hope people remember me as someone who was always learning, always curious, and always up for a laugh. More than anything, I’d love to be remembered as someone who genuinely enjoyed being around people and always wanted to help where I could. I’ve always believed that life’s best moments are the ones you share. It’s never really been about where I am or what I’m doing. It’s about who I’m doing it with. At the end of the day, it’s the journey and the people you meet along the way.

Editor: Rasna Bhasin (@rasnabhasin)
Interview: Jhanvi Duggal (@jhanvii.23))
Photographer: Vivek Vadoliya (@vivekvad), Agency, East Co (@east__co)
Stylist: Ramona Tabita (@ramonatabita)
Cover Design: Mandeep Singh Khokhar (@mandy_khokhar19)
Hair and Make-up Artist: Aurelia Liansberg (@aurelia.liansberg)
Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)
Photo Assistant: Ryan Rivers (@ryanriversstudio)
Styling Assistant: Ludovica Toscano (@_ludovicatoscano)
Production: 1718 Production (@1718production)

Saffron is wearing a yellow embroidered long dress, Iris leather gloves, Balenciaga, paired with satin and rhinestone pumps by Manolo Blahnik; Jewellery, Haryma necklace in yellow gold, topazes, onyx, garnets, emeralds, and diamonds by Cartier. 

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