Models of the moment

Though modelling has a still a long way to be regarded as a popular career choice in India, there are a few faces creating quite a stir with every photo they are clicked in. We list a few

Modelling in India is an emerging concept. Not that the svelte figure men and women walking on the runway for designer shows didn’t exist 10 years ago. It existed but was not as popular. And even if it was, it was a stepping-stone to enter the grand daddy of entertainment—Bollywood. Things are fast changing now. Being a good model today means representing an unusual ethnic look whilst fitting the body shape requirements of a global runway model.

A good fashion model may not even appeal to the Bollywood audience as it would to the fashion industry. Besides being a pretty face, a model is to speak and emote her personality in still photography, without reading lines from a script. After the recent success of south Indian model Lakshmi Menon at some of the best fashion houses in Paris, Milan and New York, modelling is proving to be a well paid, respected, fulfilling career for the young. Though still a long way to be regarded as a popular career choice in India, there are a few faces creating quite a stir with every photo they are clicked in. Here is a list of some new faces that are being talked about as the future models of the country, without having to dance opposite Shah Rukh or Salman Khan in a film.

 

 

Dayana Erappa

Dayana’s girl-next-door look is what makes her stand out from the other crop of models. The Bangalore-based model walked for Wills India Fashion Week in Delhi earlier this year followed by Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. Two designers were even overseen arguing over who would get Dayana to walk for their show. A model so young and raw is bound to take the limelight over time. Her transformation as a seasoned model will be interesting to note, if she sticks around in the industry. Leading designer Rohit Bal definitely gave more than just his stamp of approval when he made her close his Lakme Fashion Week finale show rubbing shoulders with a number of very select veteran models like Sheetal Mallar and Carol Gracias!

 

 

 

Alyssah Ali

Alyssah Ali is from Canada and is the perfect mix of Indian and Spanish origins. Her dusky skin and long dark hair makes her a good candidate to rule as a beauty model as well. An idea French fashion house Chanel seemed to agree with. Ali was the sole model for a particular beauty product for the last two seasons. Though we might not see her work for the Indian fashion week runways, she is definitely doing her bit in popularising the golden brown Indian skin tone in the global fashion scene.

 

 

 

 

Ninja Singh

This young model started her modelling career by entering the Ford Model ‘Supermodel of the world’ 2011 contest while she was still studying dentistry. The 5’11 lanky model proved her calibre when she represented India in the Ford model contest and won the worldwide title. Still very young, this model is surely the one to look out for. Ninja’s personality also happens to match her unique first name, as she puts up a fearless front and speaks frankly.

 

 

 

 

Preeti Dhata

Preeti has a distinct look about herself, which is not in the mainstream. Her dusky skin, piercing eyes, cool demure and androgynous style attracted the Indian designers. She stars in a stellar number of designer campaigns this year — from veteran designer Ritu Kumar to young designer Arjun Saluja. Besides having a great body (she was recognised by Vogue India for having the best back in the industry), her mysterious look in front of the camera is the best prop that any photographer needs while shooting a campaign.

 

 

Ashika Pratt

Her first landmark moment in fashion was when Vogue India gave her a solo cover and heralded her as ‘India’s next supermodel’. Her rise to that eventual title would be interesting to note. A supermodel is a model that is more than a runway or ad campaign model. Supermodels command a serious presence and are well known personalities outside the fashion world. Ashika’s career has already been an interestingly varied one –working for online retail giant ASOS, starring in an international ad campaign for Benetton and even walking for Chanel show in Paris. Ashika was raised in New Zealand but is recognised as an Indian model because of her evident Indian ethnicity.

 

 

The writer is a fashion blogger (www.lovestruckcow.blogspot.com) who attempts to bridge the gap between creator and consumer. As a fashion writer, she hopes to promote Indian fashion among Indians and on a global level too.

 

Tags: Alyssah Ali, Ashika Pratt, Dayana Erappa, Ninja Singh, Preeti Dhata

Category: Fashion