Surviving on the catwalk is no cakewalk. Yet, supermodels in India juggle multiple roles with much panache, while swishing in and out of exotic, foreign locales
Candice Pinto
Ever since she won the Gladrags Megamodel Contest in 2000 and was the first Indian to win the Miss Tourism Worldwide International Pageant Malaysia in 2002, Candice Pinto has been a much recognised face on the ramp for over a decade.
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After graduation, I wanted to be an animator. I plan to do that after modelling, says Pinto, who stands tall at 5'9. Grooming is essential as modelling is hectic, she says, and a quick run helps her to remain in shape along with regular workouts. You have to be in great shape as competition is stiff. So I eat and sleep well and drink lots of water, she adds.
As far as her diet is concerned, it's always home-cooked meals and no ordering spicy food from outside. When away from the ramp, Pinto loves catching up with friends, family or movies and confesses she is a plain Jane when not dressed in skirts, pants and tees from Diesel, BCBG, BEBE, Stradivarius and Bershka on the catwalk. While travelling, she gets her daily dose of current affairs from the morning paper. Her fashion icon is Amitabh Bachchan. His dress sense is fantastic, says Pinto. For gala nights, the model steps out in Manish Malhotra, Wendell Rodricks, Tarun Tahiliani or Rohit Bal.
Binal Trivedi
Binal Trivedi's life in the modelling world began after participating in the Femina Elite Look of the Year contest in 1997. Soon, it was all about participating in shows by top choreographers Hemant Trivedi and Sangeeta Chopra. A wanderer at heart, she loves exploring the unexplored but, ironically, not at the expense of staying up late in
the night.
Blessed with a slender frame, Trivedi claims that she does not exercise. I thank my parents' genes, says the model. 'Eating right' is this vegetarian's mantra and she eats less spicy meals before 7 pm. She never skips meals and Chinese is her favourite cuisine.
A voracious reader, Indian fiction keeps her entertained while relaxing at her favourite holiday spot — Goa.
When its time for an evening out, MAC and Ambika Pillai's lipsticks give Binal the glam touch, coupled with Zara or Vero Moda clothes. The Political Science graduate adores Sonam Kapoor's style and never tires of watching Andaaz Apna Apna, Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman. Her favourite designers include Manish Malhotra, Anamika Khanna among others.
Alesia Raut
She is one of the hottest models designers want to begin and end their shows with. Her reed-like figure and her fragile beauty are the envy of all. When off the ramp, Alesia Raut, a Femina Elite Look of the Year finalist in 1999, loves bonding with the apple-of-her-eye — her seven-year son, Mark.
The model, who is part Russian sticks to healthy Russian food and dishes such as whole wheat pastas, soups and stays away from fried food. Raut believes in the age old-adage 'Health is wealth' and so, works out regularly and indulges in beauty treatments at salons and spas to de-stress — it can even be a manicure or a pedicure.
When not dressed in haute couture, the model prefers to dress in jeans, vintage tops and maxis. Although not a bookworm, Raut manages to keep abreast of news via the televison, and loves sports and holidaying in Singapore.
The movies Raut loves watching include Jab We Met, old Bollywood classics and the timeless Dirty Dancing, as she is passionate about dance. She loves Kangna Ranaut's dress sense and enjoys wearing Vero Moda, Guess, Zara, Mango or Manish Malhotra, Neeta Lulla, Suneet Varma and Rohit Bal, among others.
Freddy Daruwala
Freddy Daruwala is the cynosure of all eyes at fashion shows. If not a model, he would have become a racer, says Daruwala, who was the first runner up at the Mr India World contest in 2007.
Daruwala now has his eyes set on an acting career and is giving it top priority. He keeps fit by meditating and visiting the gym five days a week. This top model also has a sweet tooth and has no qualms in admitting that delicious street food and sweets are his weakness.
Daruwala prefers to relax in jeans and tees. He loves the style quotient of Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. For formal wear he admires the creations of Manish Malhotra, Narendra Kumar, Tarun Tahiliani, Sanjay Hingu, and Arjun Khanna. For shows, Freddy's makeup regime includes MAC and Bare Minerals. He prefers to occasionally read non-fiction, although he is addicted to watching movies. The Departed, Troy, Dumb and Dumber, Inception, the original Agneepath, Ghayal, and Andaz Apna Apna are his favourites.
Reha Sukheja
Ever since being selected as the first runner-up at the I Am She Miss Universe India Pageant in 2010, Reha Sukheja hasn't stopped walking the ramp. Her hobbies include dancing, jogging and watching movies. But her favourite hobby, by the model's own admission, is sleeping. A back issue keeps Sukheja away from the gym but a controlled diet, hand exercises and yoga keep her slender frame in shape.
Home beauty treatments and an occasional head massage helps her de-stress. After all the torture our hair is put through! says Sukheja.
Chaats and pani puri are a weakness and gripping murder mysteries are always by her bedside. Her dream designation is Leh in Ladakh although right now, she is in love with Goa. The 6'1 beauty hasn't thought about life after modelling yet. But most definitely it would be in management related job, she says. Althought not a movie buff, Andaz Apna Apna and Pretty Woman are her favourites. Sonam Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut are her style icons. Sukheja is more of a relaxed dresser, when she is not draped in Manish Malhotra or Sabyasachi.
Sheela Tiruchi
Born and raised in Germany with a professional dance background, Sheela Tiruchi uses salsa as a stress-buster. She manages her time really well, is a people's person, is well-read and well aware about world affairs and loves meeting friends.
Prior to shows, she prefers to have a light dinner and adequate sleep. Before I hit the ramp, I always pray. I believe in that, she says. She, in fact, even meticulously makes note of her choreography.
To keep in shape and stay well-groomed, she often indulges in hair and beauty treatments and swears by water and fresh juices.
A daily, strenuous workout and a healthy, balanced diet keeps her fit and healthy. However, she is addicted to world cuisines like Mexican and Italian. Pav Bhaji is also something she can't resist. Her favourite brands include Mango, BEBE, Nike, Fcuk, Adidas and ethnic wear while Bobby Brown, MAC and Maybelline are also other favourites.
Having read only four books in her life so far, Tiruchi keeps herself well informed by always checking news items on the internet. An MBA degree holder, she was into event management in Berlin, which is also an alternate career choice post modelling. Other options include launching her dance academy, becoming a ramp trainer or a talent scout.
I never like to do only one thing. I like diversity, she says. New York is her dream city and Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut and Bipasha Basu are her style icons. And her favourite movie? Inception.
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