Modelspeak: Fat people can be beautiful

They believe that fat people can be beautiful and insist that they don't diet! Here's an interesting tete-a-tete with five models at Lakme Fashion Week!

Nicole Faria

What is the highest calorie food you've eaten this week?

Well, I just finished three sets of dosas, scrambled eggs and sausages. I eat the carbs to keep me going. So it's always good!

Really? So how do you manage to stay fit despite eating so much?

I guess a high metabolic rate!

What is your take on plus-size models?

There's nothing wrong with that. It's become a trend. Fat people are also beautiful. There are some people who have health issues so I won't say it's their fault. But it's always good to eat right, eat healthy, mix your salads before your food. Line your stomach with fruits and drink a glass of water before you have your meal. It really helps.

When you hate an outfit a designer picks for you, what do you do?

I don't say anything. It's about you trying to pull off a look. As a model it's not your duty to select an outfit -- you're not a celebrity showstopper. You're here to portray the garment as it is. It is your personality and how you carry it off that matters.

Your take on celebrities as showstoppers?

It is nice. The audience loves it, the country loves it. It works well in India. It's always nice to have a good face to walk down the ramp.

You reaction when celebrities size you up and check you out when you're walking the ramp

One doesn't usually look on the sides. One just looks straight ahead and walks.

How do you react when someone calls you sexy?

I usually take it as a compliment.

What do you tell them?

It depends on who is calling me sexy. If it's someone on the road I usually ignore it!

Lady Gaga: Fashion disaster or fashion icon?

I love her music; I love her look; I love her style. She is unique in her own way. She's a rockstar!

Your take on 10-year-old model Thylane Blondeau posing in the recent issue of French Vogue?

Yes! I even saw the cover. It looks nice but at the end of the day she is just a kid and she has a childhood to remember. These are things that can wait. It ruins your skin, image, everything!

According to a recent study, men are more likely to fall in love at first sight than women. Do you agree?

I don't know. Love's a strong word. It takes time to know a person, what s/he is like. There are some people who can see a person and look right through them. But spending time with people will unveil a lot of things.

Talking of men, what do you look for in a man?

I look for charm, personality, intellect -- I like to have a conversation with someone and not just look at a face. Looks don't always matter. It's how confident he is in his skin that does.

Your take on live-in relationships...

A lot of my friends do have live-in relationships. But I feel people can wait for marriage. There is no harm in rushing in. Would I have a live-in relationship? No. I like my space.

The lousiest pick-up line anyone's used on you?

Can I float your boat!

Rachel Bayros

How long have you been walking the Lakme Fashion Week ramp?

Um, about five seasons so far in the last three years!

What is the highest calorie food you've had this week?

I usually eat a lot of healthy foods but when I indulge, I indulge!

So how do you stay fit?

Thankfully for me it's hereditary -- my mother is thin and so am I. And I also have a high metabolism rate. Also, I dance a lot.

What kind of dancing do you enjoy?

Any! If I am alone at home it goes a little crazy...(laughs)

What is your take on plus-size models?

It depends on what category you're talking about. If it's a print campaign of, let's say, a beauty product it doesn't really matter. But on the ramp it's important to be proportionate and toned because you don't want to have flesh hanging out from your outfit. It is not a very pretty sight.

When you hate an outfit a designer picks for you what do you do?

I know my job really well -- and my job is to make anything look really nice. But one does have one's likes and dislikes. So I like outfits that really complement my personality. There are times when I don't understand an outfit and I wonder how to carry it.

Has that happened?

Yes there have been a couple of instances. A year ago I was looking at this outfit and I couldn't understand it and I didn't know how to showcase it. I think it was a blend that didn't really fit in my head, nor did the theme and the briefing...

What designer was it?

I'm sorry I don't really remember.

Your take on celebrities as showstoppers?

I think it doesn't make a difference in my eyes. But what the designer needs to do is to cast somebody in an outfit so that they can bring out the best in it. So if a designer has beauty as a theme then s/he should cast a person that fits with the theme. However, if the designer is using it as a way to get more publicity then it is not the best thing to do. At the end of it, it's your show.

Your take on 10-year-old model Thylane Blondeau posing in the recent issue of French Vogue?

I must confess I haven't heard about her, but internationally girls start really young -- at 13 or 14. But I also feel it affects your growth as a person in a way. I am not sure about the 10-year-old girl because I haven't seen the spread but I do think it creates some confusion in the girl's mind at that age -- at 13-14. I remember the things I had in my mind at that age!

How old were you when you started out?

Eighteen.

And what were the things that were going through your mind then?

I was a wild child. I wanted to experience everything, meet new people, try out new things, be able to drink!

Lemonade?

No (Laughs) Lots of tequila actually, with some lemon.

According to a recent study, men are more likely to fall in love at first sight than women. Your take?

I think it's a misconception. When you're growing up you watch these fairytale movies and you have this idea that you will meet this guy someday, but eventually you realise it is a lot more about respect, understanding and compatibility. For me it is more about getting to know somebody. But having said that, you usually know if there is a spark between you and the other person. If it's there, it's there. If it isn't it simply isn't. For me, if I don't feel something immediately for the person, I wouldn't waste my time.

Mitali Rannorey

This is the first time you're walking the Lakme Fashion Week ramp. How has the experience been so far?

It's nice. It's very well-organised and it's very nice to be part of it.

What is the highest calorie food you've had this week?

I eat a lot of desserts. My lunch is minimal and I gorge on dessert s. All these days I've been gorging on whipped cream and gulab jamun and all kinds of sweets...

How do you stay so thin if you eat so much?

I am not that thin actually. But I suppose it's in my genes.

What is your take on plus-size models?

It's good. Designers make clothes for everyone, not just for size zero women.

What's your size?

I don't know really...

When you hate an outfit a designer picks for you what do you do?

Nothing! It's my job to make it look good at the end of the day.

Your take on celebrities as showstoppers?

It's fine but they should let models do their work.

Lady Gaga: Fashion disaster or fashion icon?

Fashion icon I guess. She can carry off anything and make a bold statement!

According to a recent study, men are more likely to fall in love at first sight than women. Your take?

I guess women fall in love at first sight as well, but just keep their mouths shut!

Have you ever fallen in love at first sight with anyone?

Love at first sight for me would be 'Oh my God he is HOT!'

That's lust. That's not love...

Yes, that isn't love. Even men don't fall in love at first sight.

What's your reaction when someone calls you sexy?

I go 'Am I? Thank you!'

What does it take for a man to woo you?

I would just like him to be himself and be a good person.

What's the sweetest thing a man has said to you?

Sorry. Can't remember!

What's the lousiest pick-up line that has been used on you?

'You're so sweet, can I taste you?' THAT was horrible. I went 'WHAT, are you mad?' And I just ran away from there!

Diva Dhawan

This is your fifth season at the Lakme Fashion Week. What do you like about it so much that you keep coming back?

They're really organised and they always get a great group of new designers and everything is really taken care of. We work with a great team of people, who you know you will miss at the end of these ten days.

What is the highest calorie food you've had this week?

I think the question should be what I have NOT eaten. Everyday there's someone's birthday. So probably it's cake in all forms!

How is it that every model we've spoken to so far tells us that she's been hogging away and nothing seems to show on you folks? How do you manage to stay fit despite eating so much?

Let me tell you a secret. Everything you eat shows ten days later. We have time to get back in shape. It doesn't show the very next day. Miracles don't happen either way.

What is your take on plus-size models?

Embrace who you are. If you can stay toned and stay fit it's great. Not everyone is the same. Everyone's genes are not the same. You have to do what works for you and go with that.

When you hate an outfit a designer picks for you what do you do?

Nothing! I walk the way I normally do. I love what I do and those are the moments when I remind myself that this is (after all) a job and needs to be worked at like any other job -- properly, without my take on it. You cannot let your emotions get in the way sometimes.

Your take on celebrities as showstoppers?

I think it's a little over the top. But I am getting used to it because we are in Bombay. And I feel that (it's become something like) 'Oh, we are in Bombay and they all live here, so let's get a showstopper!' It's over the top a little, but I enjoy it.

You reaction when celebrities size you up and check you out when you're walking the ramp...

They're invited for the show. I'm sure they're interested in the collection or are friends of the designers. So there's nothing bad about that. They're human beings. They're allowed to come out and watch things and do things. It's cool!

Lady Gaga: Fashion disaster or fashion icon?

I guess fashion icon. From the interviews I've seen of her, she seems to have been through a lot and she's had a rough past and a rough childhood. And someone who has done that and has tried to (turn it into something) positive is a good thing to do.

Talking of childhood, have you heard of the 10-year-old model Thylane Blondeau posing in the recent issue of French Vogue?

TEN-year-old? My God! I started working when I was 16. But 10 is...

Ten is?

Well, if she's liking it, good for her! It doesn't matter.

According to a recent study, men are more likely to fall in love at first sight than women. Your take?

Ah, I read about it! But I haven't put the theory to test because obviously I cannot. Perhaps I should ask my guy friends about it. I do think that men know quicker than women what they want.

How do you react when a man calls you sexy?

(Blushes) I don't know. It's just weird to me. I just probably look away. I'm a dork that way!

Sony Kaur

What is the highest calorie food you've had this week?

I've had everything like chocolate brownies, pasta...I love to eat and work out...

So how do you stay thin? Could you please get up and show us just how thin you are?

(Gets off the seat) I make sure I work out in the gym every single day and run a lot. Also I don't hog; I make sure I have everything in small portions.

What is your take on plus-size models?

It's good. Actually it all depends on the garment -- some look good on healthy girls, others look better on skinny girls like me.

Alright...when you hate an outfit a designer picks for you, what do you do?

I like to wear anything. This is my job. Whatever they give me, I wear and walk.

Your take on celebrities as showstoppers?

I don't know really. It all depends on the designer I suppose.

According to a recent study men tend to fall in love at first sight more often than women. Would you agree?

(Laughs) I don't really know.

Click here to watch Sony's interview on video!