Yelena Noah who graces our SO cover is a beautiful woman, as the photos clearly illustrate. The daughter of French tennis star of the 1980s, Yannick Noah, and a former Miss Sweden, Cecilia Rhode, Yelena is a woman making her own mark in the world of high fashion. With her internationally famous and glamorous pedigree, Yelena remains very much grounded with a humble demeanour and endearing spirit that seems to embrace the simplicity of life when you have good expectations and pure wishes.

The daughter of a tennis star and a beauty queen. Tell us about your upbringing.

Silk dress by Samantha Tracy, jewellery by Ben Anun

I was born in New York, and moved to Paris at a very young age. My parents have always lived in the spotlight, but they always made it a priority for my brother and me to be down-to-earth, and not let the fame get to our heads. I think they did a good job at that! My father is famous mostly in France, and I will always respect my mother for taking my brother and me away from that world, when she brought us to live in Hell's Kitchen in NYC when I was 12. I believe that moving to NYC enabled me to have my own identity, and not only be considered as the daughter of...'

Did you ever go to tennis tournaments to watch your father?

Quite often actually, until he retired in the '90s. I was always really proud to watch him. But sometimes I remember actually wanting him to lose so that we could just go home and spend time together as a family. I was young when he was a tennis star so I do not remember exactly how I felt to watch him. Today he is a very successful singer in France, and I am amazed every time I go to one of his concerts. It gives me goose bumps to see 10,000 fans watching him on stage, sometimes with a look of awe in their eyes. I can't even begin to imagine the feeling he must have when he goes on stage. I was mostly touched when some of those people would come up to me and tell me how much my father inspired them with his positive lyrics.

Black matte jersey gown by Jean Paul Gaultier, shoes by Cesare Paciotti.

Did you ever play tennis growing up? Were you any good?
Haha! THE Question! I did play ball when I was younger, and still enjoy playing it once in a while. I definitely don't have the "eye of the tiger"!

When did you realise your father was famous?

My father won the French Open in 1983, and I was born in '86 so he was famous before I was born. I always knew he was famous but to me he was just dad, his fame only seemed natural since it was always that way.

Are you both close?

Yes, very. I love and respect him very much, for who he is and what he stands for. He's just a great person to talk to. Of course he is my father, and takes on the father figure when he needs to, but beyond that he is a great friend and mentor. He gives great advice, and inspires you to be the best you can be. I guess he just has that in him, and that is probably why he was chosen to be the captain of the French team.

What does your mother do?

My mother left the world of fashion for the world of art, where she found that she could express herself through sculpture. She sculpts white marble. I truly love what she does, her work is very feminine and I believe timeless. My mother also decided to return to university to get a degree in Art Therapy. She often gives free art classes to inner-city kids, as a means for them to express themselves.

Do your parents support you in your modelling?

They do definitely, as it has been a way for me to gain independence and to travel the world.

Are you close to your parents?

Yes, I am. I grew up mostly with my mother, although my father was always around. My mom is like my best friend, I feel as though I can share anything with her. I am so proud to be the daughter of my parents, as I truly think that they are two beautiful human beings that want to do good for this world.

Your brother Joakim was recently drafted by the Chicago Bulls. Do you ever watch his games?

Of course! I went to see a lot of the games during the last two years when he played with the Florida Gators, and saw the two finals during the final four when they won the championship games two years in a row. Actually as I am answering this interview, I am getting ready to go see him play his first game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Does your brother come to any of your fashion shows?

Unfortunately not, as he is so caught up with his basketball team. But actually I think it is a good thing, if I saw him in the crowd during a fashion show, I know I wouldn't be able to hold cracking up. I know he would make fun of me!

Are you close to your father's other children?

Yes, he has three other children, two girls and one boy. I adore them.

Where did you grow up?

New York, and I grew up between Paris and New York my whole life.

Where do you consider home? Paris or New York?
I feel more at home in New York for sure. I love Paris, and I love going to visit. But there is this certain energy in New York that I cannot find in Paris. I feel freer to be who I am in New York. Although I grew up in Paris and New York my whole life, I have many places in the world I consider home, such as the countryside in Sweden, where my mother is from, and the city of Yaounde, in Cameroon, where my father is from.

You have family in Africa. Do you visit often?

My grandfather still lives in Yaounde, Cameroon, and I try to visit every year or at least every other year. I mostly go to Cameroon, but I have travelled quite a bit in different African countries and I love it. Cameroon is such a beautiful and rich country, so it often breaks my heart to see the obvious corruption there. But hopefully that will change one day. To me, there is no place like Africa.

Tell us about your upbringing. What are your fondest memories?
My mother being from Sweden and my father coming from Cameroon and France; I was exposed to many different cultures growing up. Guess I could say I have a very close-knit family.

What do you do for fun?

I love music so I love going to concerts, especially reggae concerts and sound systems. I collect music. My collection is in majority reggae, but I also listen to hip hop, blues, jazz, Brazilian music and African music. (I hate to name the last two in such a general way, as there are so many types of music in those two categories, but the list would be way too long!) I've had the luck to travel a lot in my life, and whenever I do, I love finding unknown music. I guess my mother passed on that artistic side to me.

Where do you like to party?

I go clubbing once in a while, but I prefer to listen to live music.

Are you involved with anyone right now?

You had to ask?! Not really, I came out of a four-year relationship a year ago, and I'm just enjoying my freedom at this moment.

What's your favourite Caribbean island?

I couldn't just pick one. I loved Jamaica; I went twice, but both times were only for a short period of time. So I don't think I've really been to Jamaica. I did get a good taste of it though, and I plan on going back for a longer period of time. I had a great time in Guadeloupe as well. My boyfriend was from there, so he really showed me around. I have been to many Caribbean Islands, but a lot when I was young, so I only have vague memories of them. One of these memories though, was during carnival in Trinidad. That is also something I want to do again in the near future.

Who are your heroes in life?

Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Bob Marley .... to name a few freedom fighters.

Where did you go to school?

I attended high school at UNIS (The United Nations International School in NYC). This was a really great school in that it was a kind of microcosm of the city in itself.
Where did you attend college?

I did my first two years of university in Paris, at AUP (the American University of Paris). I then took a year off, to work as a model, but I am going back to school in January to finish my last two years. As modelling demands a lot of time, and a lot of that time includes travelling, I will be doing my classes by correspondence.

What did/are you studying?

I was studying political science/international affairs. I have always been interested in what is going on in the world, and even though I am not a big fan of politics, there is no denying that it is vital in society. It is my dream to do humanitarian work in the future, and I believe that studying political science and international affairs is important in doing so.

How did you get into modelling and how long have you been doing it?

Modelling has always been around me. My mother was Miss Sweden in '78 and was propelled into the fashion world, although she gave it up when I was very young. My stepmother was also a top model, so I have been exposed to modelling throughout my childhood and adolescence. I was often approached by scouts when I was in my early teens, but I was not at all into fashion and was not interested in modelling. Being very interested in the Rastafarian culture in my early teens, I remember telling my mother when I was around 16 that I refused "to prostitute myself to the system!" Yet, when I was around 18 I moved to Paris and realised that being a model was a great opportunity for me to gain independence as a woman, to travel the world and to meet lots of people. I realised that a lot of young girls are inspired by fashion, unfortunately more so than politics and current events.

Who do you aspire to emulate in the profession?

Honestly, I really do not know.

Do you watch America's Next Top Model and Project Runway?
No, apart from the news and movies, I do not watch much television.

How much do you travel?

I have always had the privilege to travel, due to my parents' professions. And I have been travelling quite frequently in the past year due to various modelling jobs. In the last year I have travelled to numerous cities in Europe and America. The two most inspiring trips that I took for work were Cuba and Peru, where I was able to visit Machu Pichu.

What do you like most about the profession?

The freedom that it gives me. I am able to travel, which I love to do and visit amazing places. It is also a profession that, if you should use it correctly, can open numerous doors.

What do you dislike the most?

The superficiality of it all. Most of it is based on your exterior appearance.

What sort of work do you do (runway, catalogue, etc)?
I've done a few runway shows, but I mostly do catalogue and magazines.

Tell us about some of your goals in modelling.
My biggest goal is to be some kind of role model for young girls. I realise that fashion inspires a lot of women around the world. This inspiration can be positive just as it can often be negative.

What are some of the challenges?

I'm not sure, I guess staying focused on why it is I want to do this, and remaining down-to-earth.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years?

Wow! I'm not sure, I guess I would have to say that I would just like to be using my energy in a positive and constructive way.

What was your most memorable assignment?

Working in Peru and having the chance to visit Machu Pichu, which I believe is a very powerful place. I was in awe at its beauty and energy.

Yelena's interview appears courtesy of Ocean Style magazine. Photography by Dagmara

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