Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Brunch
Boy, They’ve Caused An International Stir
Meet four young Indian models who have walked the ramp for big ticket designers at the fashion weeks in Milan and Paris this year. Here’s how they did it.
Iremember when FTV was launched in India, the first channel to showcase international fashion shows. We’d notice the models and think, “Our models look better. Why don’t they take models from here?” Struggling with inane concepts like “fair and lovely” and parental pressure to pursue a “stable career”, India found it hard to find its footing in the international fashion market back then.
While the battle of colourism continues in India, in the West brown skin had a new definition: caramel and chocolate. At the recently held fashion weeks in London, Milan and Paris, four young men from India walked the runway for the most soughtafter designers. Meet Tuhir Brahmbhatt, Saurabh Chaudhary, Sajid Shaikh and Neil Varel.
TUHIR BHRAHMBHATT, 22, Ahmedabad
Raised in Ahmedabad, Tuhir Brahmbhatt describes himself as “mischievous”, changing many schools while growing up. When he was in class XII, a close family friend—who is part of the fashion industry—insisted that he try to model. “I chuckled,” says Tuhir, chuckling again.
But the friend sent his photographs to Anima, a Mumbai-based modelling agency,
GUJARAT TO GREAT BRITAIN “Today, Indian boys are doing well overseas”
BOY GODS OF STYLE and the next thing he knew, Tuhir had moved to the maximum city.
He found it hard to adjust. “I hadn’t ever lived by myself away from family. Also, I didn’t know how to cook!” he says. But professionally, Tuhir’s graph peaked immediately. “My first shoot was for Zara India and first show was for Louis Vuitton Exclusive. I didn’t understand what exclusive meant, but when I did, I realised how lucky I am,” he gushes.
He learned on the job. “People aren’t aware how tiring and busy the casting process is. There are multiple stages. They see you. You get a call back. They confirm you. Then there are fittings and eventually the show. I usually carry some fruit in my bag pack because the process can be long,” he says.
Abroad, when casting directors looked at Tuhir, they always talked about how keen they were to visit India. “It’s been four years, so I’m sure my look has been received well. Today, Indian boys are doing well overseas,” he says.
“PEOPLE AREN’T AWARE HOW TIRING AND BUSY THE CASTING PROCESS IS” —TUHIR BHRAMBHATT, MODEL
SAURABH CHAUDHARY, 24, New Delhi
Saurabh Chaudhary describes his father as an “educated farmer,” a man with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. The 24-year-old from New Delhi overcame stereotypes to become a model. “In our family, men are meant to join the Army or farm, and women are homemakers,” he explains.
But it was only when he was selected for a Bachelors in Acting Programme in Rohtak that he first contemplated modelling.
“I always liked to dress up. My family couldn’t afford too much, but it was lust, a desire to be able to wear good clothes, watches and accessories. So, with modelling, it meant I’d get to dress well as a profession,” he explains.
A fitness fiend, Saurabh had earlier learned about the Elite Look of the Year contest when a friend suggested that he apply. “When he found out that he wouldn’t have to pay to enter, he abandoned college and ran to Delhi, from where he was selected. “This meant I’d be taking my first trip to Mumbai,” he shares. “I was amongst the eight finalists and won the Mr Popular title, so I thought I was amongst the front runners. But I didn’t win the contest.”
It was then that Saurabh decided to check out the international modelling market. “For the Indian market, I had a fashion face. But internationally they were used to a different look. My first attempt at placement got me the response that my face was very commercial.
FARM TO FASHION “My fitting was done by Mr Dolce himself”