Gabriella Demetriades has always had fashion opinions

Gabriella Demetriades is lying stomach-down on a table when I walk onto the set. Goa’s afternoon sun is at its hottest, glowering down at her, yet the model and designer is entirely at ease as she looks into the camera. She waits patiently for props and lenses to be adjusted. She complies readily whenever a crew member asks her to move a hand or lift her face up a little. Every time the camera goes down, she relaxes into a smile, making conversation with the people around her. The comfort with which the 37-year-old navigates the set makes it clear this isn’t her first rodeo. In fact, Demetriades has not just been modelling for over a decade, she’s also been creatively directing shoots since 2012 for her clothing label, Deme by Gabriella.

As we move upstairs for our interview, she confesses to me that she cannot remember a time when she wasn’t interested in fashion. “My mother had a small knitwear label and my family is also in the haberdashery and textile business in South Africa, so there was always some clothing sample lying around the house,” she shares. Demetriades’s own personal style comes from years of experimenting with different aesthetics and finally honing in on what feels right. Comfort, for her, is key. “Even if I have to go to an event and dress well, the thought of wearing something uncomfortable...it’s just not happening,” she shudders.

Keen to be just as present as a mother as she is on set, Demetriades admits she has a hectic few days in store: her two sons may have passed on a viral fever to her, and they are supposed to travel to Mumbai the following day to meet their father, Arjun Rampal, while he’s at shoot. Fortunately, she is all for living in the moment and puts her phone away to catch up with The Nod about family heirlooms, a beauty trend she would never hop on, and the jeans she swears by.

When I was a child, my mom wanted me to dress like a girl: polka dots, velvet and so on. So obviously, I went the opposite way and began to wear boyish clothes. There was this neon pair of ski tights and an oversized T-shirt I would live in. I knew I was interested in fashion because I had an opinion when my mom tried to doll me up. Otherwise, I guess I would’ve just worn what she wanted me to, right?

My favourite activity growing up was putting my younger brother in outfits. We have a photo of him as a nine-year-old wearing a Chinese dress that my mom brought back from a trip. He has never forgiven me.

I’ve been very experimental with my style and tried everything once. I went through a boho-chic phase, a minimalist phase, and a period where I was trying to be very overtly sexy.

My everyday style is usually what I’ve worn to the gym, and that gets layered through the day with a T-shirt or oversized shirt. I think a great pair of jeans (my go-to brand is Agolde) and tailored black trousers, preferably from Toteme, are the core of a good wardrobe.

I’ve sworn never to put on eyeliner again because in the 2000s I wore skinny black jeans and a scary amount of eyeliner.

I can’t leave home without my lip balm because it’s the number one thing I’m reapplying all day. Another product that’s always in my bag is Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint. It’s not a foundation and not a tinted moisturiser; it’s somewhere in-between.

I could never see myself applying fake freckles to my face. I’ve been shocked before when makeup artists have done it to me because it looks really cool, but it’s a bit of a weird thing to have freckles just for a day. I can’t get on that bandwagon.

I would wear a white James Perse ganji everywhere if I could. The fabric is amazing, the fit is amazing, and it just goes with everything. Whoever thought of that piece of clothing…genius.

When I was pregnant, I’d just open up the buttons on my jeans and wear a lot of oversized pieces. I stretched a lot of my James Perse vests. Pregnancy and motherhood made me a lot more considerate about women’s bodies and how things feel when you wear them.

Co-ord sets have really crept up on me. I never thought I would wear them because they felt very ‘old Miami lady’, but they’re so easy to put on and not think about at all.

I might want my kids to look a certain way and then my son will come up to me in a sequinned shirt. On the inside, I might be like “Please, no”, but I want to make him feel like he can pick whatever he wants to wear.

Selfridges is my favourite place to shop at. I can take my children and my man and whoever else there and go get lost on the second floor and they’ll end up finding something for themselves. I also love thrifting vintage fashion at the Notting Hill market on weekends.

I’ve been keeping up with Magda Kaczmarska, a London-based creator and art director. She does really cool shoots and her outfits are always a nice mix of vintage and designer wear.

I just bought the T-lock bag from Toteme. I’m a sucker for everything that they do. I love classic bags from Bottega Veneta or Chanel, but I also experiment with newer labels like Manu Atelier and Savette.

The oldest item in my wardrobe is a bag that was my great-grandmother’s. It’s from Cyprus (I’m a Cypriot), and it’s made of leather woven in a village using a traditional technique. It’s actually hanging in my house, on display, because I’m scared to wear it.

Editorial Direction: Megha Mahindru, Ridhima Sapre. Photography: Sumaia Sayed. Stylist: Naheed Driver. Multimedia Designer: Mehak Jindal. Hair and Make-up: Laila Dalal. Production: By The Gram. Location courtesy: Isprava