Top 7 iconic Indian models of all time
Top 7 iconic Indian models of all time
They came, they saw, they conquered. These Indian-origin models stunned and awed the world with their beauty, charisma and effervescence.
They not only set new benchmarks in the Indian fashion scene for time to come, but also captured the imagination of the leading fashion houses of the world. Some of them muses to fashion greats like Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent and Azzedine Alaia, and some runway favourites of coveted Indian designers like Rohit Bal and Tarun Tahilani. They debunked the belief that models were nothing more than a pretty face and good body, and went on to establish that they were real women - beautiful, controversial, intelligent, and every bit larger than life.
We hereby list the seven evergreen Indian models of all time.
Mehr Jesia: One of India's most revered models, Mehr Jesia stormed into the modelling scene in 1986 when photographer Faroukh Jussawalla suggested she take part in Femina Miss India. She was eventually crowed Miss India and landed her first ad campaign with Lakme. Post Lakme she was signed up by Vimal, Bombay Dyeing, OCM, Nivea, Palmolive, Gleem, Forhans, Philips and Campa Cola. She owed makeup artist Mickey Contractor her success and the way her career shaped up. Married to fellow model and Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal, she officially took retirement from modelling in 1999. Mother of two and a regular at fashion events, Mehr is still regarded for her style sense.
Shyamoli Varma: Shyamoli
Varma is lauded as the 'first Indian supermodel' to break conventions
and bag lucrative modelling assignments with international brands, and
eventually move to Paris. She was the first one to model for Lakme in
the 70s after being spotted by an assistant to fashion choreographer
Jeannie Naoroji. She worked with a bevy of designers from Rohit Bal to Hemant Trivedi with whom she still stays friends.
Anna Bredmeyer: Believed to be one of the most beautiful Indians of her time, Anna Bredmeyer brought the coveted Miss Asia Pacific title home in 1976. She was a stunner on the ramp and was one of India's first 'supermodels'. Anna was also the first model to turn ambassadress when she joined Beautiful Boulevard. She currently is enjoying her time as a choreographer.
Anjali Mendes: She was the first dusky model to scorch the Parisian ramp and become Pierre Cardin's muse for 12 years. The tall Goan girl, who opened fashion shows with models including Shobha Rajadhyaksha — now Shobhaa De, and Zeenat Aman, passed away in Mumbai in 2010. She was 64. After walking the international runway for the likes of Ungaro, Givenchy and Scaperelli, and partnering Pierre's Indian business for 18 years, Anjali quit at the peak of her fashion career. She never married after the love of her life succumbed to cancer and took to cooking and putting together a recipe book to bide time.
Gurmit Kaur: Singapore-born model Gurmit Kaur was a trendsetter in the 90s. She was revered for her slender frame and endless legs complimented by a classical Indian face. In her time, she was the envy of all models and had a successful modelling career as muse to Yves Saint Laurent and Azzedine Alaia. After living in cities as diverse as New York, Paris, Brussels and Toronto, and walking the runway for some of the most prestigious international names such as Versace, Lagerfeld, and Lacroix, the legendary model turned a jewellery designer and artist.
Madhu Sapre: Madhu
Sapre made jaws drop by posing in the buff for Tuff shoes with fellow
model Milind Soman wearing only shoes, and using a python to cover her
modesty. A livewire on the ramp, she was a catalyst in changing the
perception of models in the country.
Sheetal Mallar: Sheetal Mallar beat Madhu Sapre in 1994 to win Femina Look of the Year. Among the 12 finalists in the Elite supermodel contest, she was signed up by brands like Armani and Fendi. Over the years she endorsed many brands like Maybelline, McDowells, LG Electronics, Gold Flake, Grasim Suitings, Motorola, Tata Indigo Marina and Wildstone. She took retirement from modelling while still at the peak of her career.
They not only set new benchmarks in the Indian fashion scene for time to come, but also captured the imagination of the leading fashion houses of the world. Some of them muses to fashion greats like Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent and Azzedine Alaia, and some runway favourites of coveted Indian designers like Rohit Bal and Tarun Tahilani. They debunked the belief that models were nothing more than a pretty face and good body, and went on to establish that they were real women - beautiful, controversial, intelligent, and every bit larger than life.
We hereby list the seven evergreen Indian models of all time.
Mehr Jesia: One of India's most revered models, Mehr Jesia stormed into the modelling scene in 1986 when photographer Faroukh Jussawalla suggested she take part in Femina Miss India. She was eventually crowed Miss India and landed her first ad campaign with Lakme. Post Lakme she was signed up by Vimal, Bombay Dyeing, OCM, Nivea, Palmolive, Gleem, Forhans, Philips and Campa Cola. She owed makeup artist Mickey Contractor her success and the way her career shaped up. Married to fellow model and Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal, she officially took retirement from modelling in 1999. Mother of two and a regular at fashion events, Mehr is still regarded for her style sense.
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Anna Bredmeyer: Believed to be one of the most beautiful Indians of her time, Anna Bredmeyer brought the coveted Miss Asia Pacific title home in 1976. She was a stunner on the ramp and was one of India's first 'supermodels'. Anna was also the first model to turn ambassadress when she joined Beautiful Boulevard. She currently is enjoying her time as a choreographer.
Anjali Mendes: She was the first dusky model to scorch the Parisian ramp and become Pierre Cardin's muse for 12 years. The tall Goan girl, who opened fashion shows with models including Shobha Rajadhyaksha — now Shobhaa De, and Zeenat Aman, passed away in Mumbai in 2010. She was 64. After walking the international runway for the likes of Ungaro, Givenchy and Scaperelli, and partnering Pierre's Indian business for 18 years, Anjali quit at the peak of her fashion career. She never married after the love of her life succumbed to cancer and took to cooking and putting together a recipe book to bide time.
Gurmit Kaur: Singapore-born model Gurmit Kaur was a trendsetter in the 90s. She was revered for her slender frame and endless legs complimented by a classical Indian face. In her time, she was the envy of all models and had a successful modelling career as muse to Yves Saint Laurent and Azzedine Alaia. After living in cities as diverse as New York, Paris, Brussels and Toronto, and walking the runway for some of the most prestigious international names such as Versace, Lagerfeld, and Lacroix, the legendary model turned a jewellery designer and artist.
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Sheetal Mallar: Sheetal Mallar beat Madhu Sapre in 1994 to win Femina Look of the Year. Among the 12 finalists in the Elite supermodel contest, she was signed up by brands like Armani and Fendi. Over the years she endorsed many brands like Maybelline, McDowells, LG Electronics, Gold Flake, Grasim Suitings, Motorola, Tata Indigo Marina and Wildstone. She took retirement from modelling while still at the peak of her career.
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