Photographs: Hitesh Harisinghani Simki Dutta
Here's a quick and interesting tete-a-tete with five models from Lakme Fashion Week!
Arshia Ahuja
What is the highest calorie food you've had this week?
I've been eating all the desserts!
Um okay...so how do you stay fit?
I suppose we work out when we aren't working and of course most of us have a high metabolism.
Your take on plus-size models...
You got it, you show it! If you want to reduce, you should reduce. If not it's just fine!
When a designer picks an outfit you don't like, what do you tell him/her?
Nothing! That's not my decision. It's the designer's decision. Besides a designer wouldn't give you an outfit that wouldn't suit you.
What's your take on celebrities as showstoppers?
I think it's okay but it just takes away (the attention) from fashion. Even the media just focuses on the celebrities and not on the garments. The clothes of the designers aren't noticed when a celebrity walks the ramp.
How do you react when some of India's greatest superstars are checking you out sitting in the first row?
It's okay I suppose. Because if they were walking, I'd be checking them out!
Lady Gaga: Fashion disaster or fashion icon?
Definitely a fashion icon! Because she is ugly to look at and thay way she is creative, there's no one like her. She may be a freak, but she's a cool freak.
According to a recent study, men are more likely to fall in love at first sight than women. Would you agree?
Men like to check us out and they're probably attracted at first sight but I don't think it's love. It's probably attraction. I don't think love can happen at first sight. Well, it hasn't happened to me so far!
'I'd rather be called beautiful than sexy'
Mrinalini Sharma
Describe yourself in two lines
I am really adventurous and fun-loving.
How would you react if someone called you sexy?
I'd rather be called beautiful, but nowadays they both mean the same thing, more or less.
If not a model, what would you have been?
A journalist.
What is the highest calorie food you've eaten this week?
Pasta.
What's your take on plus-size models?
I think it's fantastic. You don't necessarily have to be skinny to be a model. It all depends on the way you carry yourself.
When you hate an outfit a designer picks out for you, what do you do?
I make it a point to let him know because if I'm not comfortable wearing it, there's no way I could make it look good on the ramp.
What is your take on celebrity showstoppers?
I think it's good. They choose the ones they have a good personal rapport with.
Lady Gaga -- fashion disaster or icon?
She's definitely an icon. I must say she's really brave.
'I have an Indian fiance and his family is very traditional'
Fernanda Kinder
What part of the world are you from?
Brazil!
How long have you been in India?
Almost three years.
What kind of modelling assignments have you done so far?
I've done largely ramp modelling, but also some print shoots.
Cool. So which designers have you worked for?
Well, the first shoot I did was for a (Delhi-based) designer called Preeti Chandra. But besides that I don't really remember many designers' names.
What places have you visited in India?
Goa, Hrishikesh, McLeodganj, most of Rajasthan, Mumbai of course and Delhi, where I live! I'm totally a Delhi girl! The only part of India I haven't visited is South India.
What is the highest calorie food you've had this week?
I'm not a diet person and I ended up having a lot of fatty pastas!
Your take on plus-size models...
They rule the world! I am not the thinnest model. I will soon be going to Europe and checking out the fashion weeks there. Let's see if I can change the (views of the) designers there!
When a designer picks an outfit you don't like, what do you tell him/her?
I have an Indian fiance and his family is very traditional. I really respect the Indian culture and the family of my fiance. Earlier I was open to wearing short clothes but I don't do that anymore. So if I am not comfortable wearing something, I just tell them that. And they totally understand it.
What's your take on celebrities as showstoppers?
I love Bollywood (stars). I totally enjoy (their presence).
Lady Gaga: Fashion disaster or fashion icon?
Fashion icon! She has her own style. Her name says everything!
According to a recent study, men are more likely to fall in love at first sight than women. Would you agree?
Really? Why is that? I don't know but I don't believe in love at first sight.
'Fashion Week is a lot of hard work'
Xamira Mohlmann
Describe yourself in two lines.
I'm a happy and energetic person. I love to enjoy life and I'm always on the lookout for something adventurous.
How'd you react if someone calls you sexy?
I generally laugh! I'm more of a funny person.
If not a model, what would you have been?
I'd be studying anthropology.
What is the highest calorie food you've eaten this week?
We had a huge chocolate cake yesterday for Parsee New Year. So that was like truckloads of calories.
What's your take on plus-size models?
Every model is beautiful. Depends on how well you project yourself and how you make the garment look.
When you hate an outfit a designer picks for you, what do you do?
Try to make the best of it. It's my job.
Lady Gaga: Fashion disaster or fashion icon?
Definitely a style icon! Very brave and inspired so many designers. She has her own style.
Things you hate about Fashion Week?
Lot of hard work. Don't get enough sleep. And I hate waiting. I am very impatient.
Things you love about FW?
The energy, the stunning clothes. We always feel good after a successful show because a lot goes into putting up these shows!
Any runway disaster you recall?
I'm pretty clumsy. At my first show, I remember walking really slow. So slow that even the cameras stopped clicking! I will never make that mistake again.
'Models are just hangers'
Tara Kurian
Which is the highest calorie food you've had this week?
Oh, don't ask me that! Yesterday was Parsi New Year so I had three different kinds of cakes and lots of muffins and cookies!
What's your take on plus-size models?
It's good. It's very relatable at the moment because of obesity...
When a designer picks an outfit you don't like, what do you tell him/her?
You're a hanger showing your creations so...
Is that what you consider yourself to be?
Yes you're an actress, a hanger -- whatever the designer wants you to be to convey the message (of his designs) to the audience.
What's your take on celebrities as showstoppers?
I don't really care. It's quite sad because you don't need a celebrity to sell your clothes. I loved Sabyasachi's show yesterday. It was incredible and he didn't have any celebrity showstoppers!
How do you react when some of India's greatest superstars are sizing you up sitting in the first row?
That's good! They intend to buy the clothes.
Lady Gaga: Fashion disaster or fashion icon?
I really appreciate the time and the effort she takes to go out there and do so much but I don't have any opinion about her.
Your take on the 10-year-old French model Thylane Blondeau posing in the recent issue of French Vogue?
It's very sad. Then again, usually a model's career (in the West) starts when you're 12 or 13. So a little earlier is just grooming, I suppose!
How old were you?
Er...17-18. (smiles)
According to a recent study, men are more likely to fall in love at first sight than women. Would you agree?
I don't know! I am a woman! But I don't think I can fall in love at first sight.
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