The fashion industry in India is nascent, but modeling has become a thriving and most sought-after profession for young Indian beauties. While Indian beauties have won titles like “Miss World” and “Miss Universe,” Indian models are now ruling international fashion shows. Read success stories of Ujjwala Raut, Lakshmi Menon, Padma Lakshmi, Jyothsna Chakravarthy, Muzammil Ibrahim, Joey Matthew and Monikangana Dutta.
Bangalore’s leggy stunner, 24-year-old Jyothsna Chakravarthy’s seems to be quite the find, catching the attention of even the international fashion circuit. Armed with a degree in engineering and an MBA, she has been selected to walk for luxury fashion house Chanel’s Metiers D’Art collection, which is inspired by India, in Paris! With this amazing news, we thought we’d recap the host of other Indian models who’ve done us proud taking their dusky beauty to the world.
Ujjwala Raut: Perhaps the most high profile of all India’s top models, Ujjwala was just 17 when she got discovered. She left India, after marrying international male fashion model, Craig Maxwell, in 2004 and had a messy divorce in 2009; but we would love to just focus on her fabulous career. The lady has walked the ramp for top-notch designers like Yves Saint-Laurent, Victoria’s Secret, Roberto Cavalli, Hugo Boss, Cynthia Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Betsey Johnson, Gucci, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, and Emilio Pucci. Her face has graced ads like Dolce & Gabbana, Gap, H&M and more.
Lakshmi Menon: Born in Kerala, Lakshmi began her international career in 2006 with a show for Jean Paul Gaultier, shooting her to fame as one of the most sought-after Indian faces on the international ramp. But it was her nude shoot for Karl Lagerfeld’s prestigious Pirelli Calendar 2011 that became the high point of her career, making her the only Indian face to have shot for it! What do you think of her exotic looks?
Padma Lakshmi: Before she became the well-loved host of American reality series Top Chef, Chennai-born Padma Lakshmi had quite the lucrative modeling stint. During a study trip in her college years she was discovered by a modeling agent in Madrid, Spain while sitting in a café and from then on there was no looking back. She has modeled for top designers such as Emanuel Ungaro, Ralph Lauren, and Alberta Ferretti and appeared in ad campaigns for Roberto Cavalli and Versus. Her defining feature, aside from her lustrous looks, is a famous scar from an accident as a kid that has been highlighted by many photographers.
Jyothsna Chakravarthy: You may remember her from various advertisements and magazine covers for her striking features and luscious hair, and now this 5′-9” girl from Bangalore, who has only been modeling for three years, is all set to break into the international scene. She has been selected to walk for luxury fashion house Chanel’s Metiers D’Art collection, which is inspired by India, in Paris on December 6. Jyothsna will be the only Indian model among a host of international names.
Muzammil Ibrahim: Voted India’s Best Male Model by the Times of India three years in a row (2004/05/06), Muzammil has done us proud with his chiseled features and immense ramp presence. Aside from being a popular model in Bangkok, he also modeled for “GUESS” in Italy for two years.
Joey Matthew: Originally from Kerala, this London-based super model stands six feet tall and proud. Amazingly enough, she went from being a full-fledged lawyer to having a successful modeling career, effortlessly. She shot to fame with a Vodafone commercial in Italy and for Getty Images with Karan Kapoor in Spain. Joey frequently graces the Indian ramps as well, staying true to her roots.
Monikangana Dutta: Hailed as an exotic Indian beauty by the international press like the New York Times, Mumbai-based Monikangana claimed fame when she won the Metropolitan Top Model Contest of France. The win resulted in her shifting base from India to Paris for two years, where she walked the ramp for fashion designers like Vivienne Westwood, Yoji Yamamoto, Christian Dior and the list continues… She appeared in editorials for Vogue, Elle and Italian Harper’s Bazaar and has walked in Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and Australian Fashion Week too.
