Shaanti Chaitram comes into focus on Facetime, straight black hair parted down the middle, cheekbones glowing in the afternoon light pouring into her studio in Inwood. A warm smile canvassed in mauve lipstick, she looked as welcoming as the big couch she lounged on. She has been modeling since she was 20 years old and most recently, was a part of EBY’s campaign for our new tiger print underwear.
Within minutes of our introduction, she turns the camera around to show her apartment, a passion project. “In another lifetime, I would have been an interior designer!” Every piece of furniture is intentional, a teal loveseat covering a messy stack of board games, crisp white sheets on an abundantly pillowed bed, all against the backdrop of a stunning, color-coded bookshelf against the far wall. She guides the camera and points out the white tile backsplash for the kitchen wall she did herself, the black edges of her DIY french window frame, and finally rest the lens on her boyfriend, Trevor, who is in the middle of a work call at his desk, fitting like a puzzle piece in the rest of the room.