UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Edition | MARCH 2025 ISSUE
Hooks Magazine is proud to present Thay Drumond as the star of the "UNITED ARAB EMIRATES" edition. With an inspiring journey, she has carved out a space for herself in the competitive world of international fashion and is now preparing for an exciting new chapter in her career.
At first, fashion was not a dream for Thay. Her height and slender figure often drew attention in a way that made her feel out of place. However, upon joining a modeling agency, she encountered other women with similar profiles and began to see her own beauty differently. What once made her insecure became one of her greatest strengths. Fully immersing herself in the fashion world, she built a career that reflects her personal and professional growth.
Her international journey has taken her across multiple countries, but two destinations have left a lasting impact on her story: Turkey and Dubai. In Turkey, she experienced unforgettable moments and found a unique sense of belonging. However, Dubai secured a permanent place in her heart. Witnessing the iconic water show was a defining moment in her life—a realization that she was living a dream she had never imagined possible.
Motherhood was one of the greatest challenges and transformations in Thay’s life. When she first discovered her pregnancy, she felt overwhelmed with fear, uncertain about how it might impact her career. The emotional weight of this moment led her into a deep period of introspection. However, throughout this journey, she found strength and a renewed sense of purpose. Motherhood brought profound growth, making her even stronger and more determined.
Physically, Thay also experienced a positive transformation after pregnancy. Her body changed, but in a way that made her feel even more beautiful and confident. Always mindful of self-care, she maintained a balanced routine of hydration and healthy eating, which contributed to a quick and natural recovery.
Recently, Thay returned to shooting in Dubai, reigniting the adrenaline and passion she has for fashion. Any initial uncertainty about her performance quickly gave way to confidence and the joy of being back in her element. With greater maturity and assurance, she rediscovered the spark that made her a standout model.
Now, Thay is preparing for a new chapter: moving to China to explore new opportunities in the fashion industry. With high expectations and a positive mindset, she sees this phase as a chance for growth and the consolidation of her international career. Although she doesn’t plan to stay for many years, she believes there is still much to achieve and wants to make the most of her next years in fashion.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
1: How was your journey of discovering fashion, considering it wasn’t initially your dream to pursue this career?
It was a challenging and transformative process. At first, I didn’t have much confidence in my body because I was always very tall and thin, which made me stand out in a way that made me uncomfortable. I felt different from other girls and, for a long time, thought it was a bad thing.
When I joined an agency, I started seeing other models with the same body type as mine, and that made me see my own beauty differently. Little by little, I immersed myself in the fashion world, understanding what it truly meant and falling in love with every detail. It was a gradual yet intense awakening.
From the age of 18 until now, at 26, fashion has been an essential part of my life. I only took a two- to three-year break because of my daughter, but I still love this profession. Looking back, I can see how much I’ve grown and matured in this industry.
2: You have worked as a model in different countries. What was the most memorable experience of your international journey?
Every country I’ve been to has given me incredible experiences and taught me something different, but two places have profoundly shaped my journey: Turkey and Dubai.
In Turkey, I had unforgettable moments, connected with amazing people, and felt incredibly welcomed. But Dubai, without a doubt, holds a special place in my heart. I think it’s a destination that captivates anyone, and for me, it was no different. The first time I saw the water show, it was an indescribable emotion. My eyes filled with tears because, at that moment, I realized I was living a dream—a dream that, years ago, I never imagined would become reality.
I am very grateful to God for giving me these opportunities. Each country I’ve been to has helped me grow, both professionally and personally, and that’s something I will carry with me for life.
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3: When you discovered your pregnancy, you felt it could impact your career. How did you handle that moment emotionally, and what were the biggest challenges?
Finding out I was pregnant was a shock to me. I was about to sign one of the best contracts of my career, so my first feeling was fear. I was terrified, I cried a lot, because I thought everything could fall apart. At first, I didn’t take the news well—I felt lost, unsure of how to balance motherhood with my professional dreams.
I went through a very difficult period, isolating myself to the point of staying locked in my room for a week, barely eating. But little by little, I started to understand that nothing happens by chance. If this was happening, it was because God had a purpose for me. And now, looking back, I see that it was the best thing that could have happened.
I truly believe in the saying that before the harvest, you have to go through the process. And the process is often painful, but the reward is always worth it. My daughter gave my life a new meaning and transformed me as a woman. Today, I can’t imagine my life without her, and I am infinitely grateful for everything I have experienced.
4: After becoming a mother, you managed to regain your physical shape and even feel better than before. How was this recovery process, and what habits helped with this transition?
Motherhood changed me completely, both inside and out. I receive a lot of compliments from my friends, who say that my body, my face, and even my energy feel different. Before, I saw myself as a girl, but after having my daughter, I feel like I truly became a woman.
During pregnancy, I always took great care of myself. I knew my body would go through many changes, so I made a point to stay very hydrated, used oils every day, and drank plenty of water. My diet also played a big role in my recovery. I didn’t follow any strict regimen, but I always ate a balanced diet. I’m not the type to overindulge in fast food or sweets, and during pregnancy, I actually craved simple, nourishing foods like rice, beans, chicken, and salad—which turned out to be great for me.
Looking back, I see that all of this made a difference. My body changed, but in a way that makes me feel even more beautiful and confident. My stomach isn’t completely flat, but it looks great, and the best part is—I didn’t get a single stretch mark. I believe the secret was maintaining balance and consistent self-care.
5: Recently, you did a photoshoot in Dubai and felt the adrenaline of returning to work. How was that experience, and what has changed in Thay from before to who she is today?
The day before the photoshoot, I was really anxious. It had been a while since I worked in fashion, and I started questioning whether I still knew how to pose, if I still had that feeling. I mentioned this to my husband, and he said something that stuck with me: “It’s like riding a bike; you never forget.”
And he was absolutely right! On the day of the shoot, I threw myself into the work, and as the photos were taken, I became more and more comfortable. My heart was racing, and I felt that amazing adrenaline rush, that sensation of being alive and doing what I love.
The Thay from before was more insecure, afraid of making mistakes. The Thay today is more mature, more confident, and knows exactly what she wants. This experience was a big reminder for me that fashion has always been a part of who I am.
6: Now that you're planning to move to China and seek new opportunities in fashion, what are your expectations for this new phase of your career?
My expectations for this new phase in China are sky-high! I know many models who work there, and some of them have a profile similar to mine. Two of them, in fact, are brunettes – one with curly hair and the other with straight hair – and they always tell me there are plenty of opportunities over there.
I'm excited to start this journey and see how the market will welcome me. I don’t think I’ll stay for many years, but I believe I have about three or four years to dedicate myself intensely to my career. I want to make the most of this phase, land important jobs, and grow even more professionally.
I think China will be a huge experience for me, both in fashion and in my personal growth. I’m preparing for this move with a lot of positive energy and faith that it will be an incredible new chapter in my story.
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