Beautiful indeed, they are the dream models for many designers and fashion photographers. Men go gaga over their beauty, and women just can’t stop envying them. These leggy lasses, who are synonymous to the term ‘supermodels’ are the prominent faces not only in the country, but also globally. SK gets you five Indian models who set the ramp ablaze and stole a million hearts as they sashayed down with poise, charm and elegance.
Ujjwala Raut
Tall, dark and beautiful Ujjwala represents not only India, but also the Asian modelling industry. Post her success at the Femina Miss India Paegent in 1996 at the age of 16, Raut paved her modelling career as she walked for world renowned designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Diane von Furstenburg, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Victoria’s Secret, Cynthia Rowley, Tom Ford, Manuel Angaro, Angelo Tarazzi, Paco Rabanne, Claude Montana, Chanel to name a few. She is not only tagged as ‘the perfect model’ by Anaita Shroff Adjania, Fashion Director of Vogue India, but also considered as one of the finest models the country ever had, according to famous fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar. Raut has also appeared in the various fashion magazine covers such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Harpar’s Bazaar, etc.
Sheetal Malhar
Yet another dusky beauty, Malhar came into limelight after her win at the Femina Look of the Year and Elite Look of the Year in 1994. It was famous photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha who spotted Malhar and was offered a shoot with Danabhai Jewellers. Beyond catwalk, she has also worked in various advertisement campaigns like LG Electronics, McDowells, Maybelline Cosmetics and Gold Flake. Though she opted to give up her modelling career from fashion shows, she still continues to be prominent in several advertisement campaigns.
Carol Gracias
Her lithe figure, appealing features, dusky skin and tremendous composure, has gained her accolades and popularity. Carol Gracias, who still looks so fresh and youthful, hails from Bandra in Mumbai. With a career in modelling for over a decade, Gracias has never failed to win hearts in the fashion fraternity and beyond. It was after her win at the Femina Elite Look of the Year in 1998, that her modelling career took off. After her first campaign with De Beers, there was no looking back.
Though she was accused of trying to pull a cheap publicity gimmick after she encountered a major wardrobe malfunction at the Lakme Fashion Week 2006, Gracias never lost faith and never let her confidence to die. She has also been seen on reality shows like Big Boss and Fear Factor-Khatron Ke Khiladi 2. In Bollywood films too she appeared in small roles in movies like Being Cyrus and in a music video for Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra starrer movie Bluffmaster.
Nayanika Chatterjee
Known as the Naomi Campbell of India, Chatterjee has been one of the earliest models who still continues to be in the profession of modelling. Receiving her first modelling offer in 1988, she was flooded with assignments thereafter. She was considered as one of those models, who ruled out the stereotyped notion of only fair women, can take up modelling. She is now a mentor for many aspiring models, and has also trained Bollywood beauties like Lara Dutta, Dia Mirza and Priyanka Chopra.
Nina Manuel
She was first recognised from Sam Miguel’s advertisement where she flawlessly portrayed the character of a hot, sexy waitress. Though she had plans of taking up law after her graduation, it was Manuel’s mother whose motivation landed her at the Femina Look of the Year contest in 1995. And since then until today, she has been the face for many brands, designers and shows. From Levi’s, Coke, Indian Express to Kodak, from fashion shows, shoots to music videos with pop singer Baba Sehgal, Remo and Anaida, Manuel is a hot favourite for many. He has also been the perfect host for a couple of shows like the ‘Late Night V’ and ‘After Hrs’ on popular TV channels. Of late, you must have seen her hosting LFW TV at Lakme Fashion Week.