Every season we see a couple of new faces at fashion weeks in the country, but a few of them stick on to become ‘names’ to remember. From the few girls who’ve been regulars at runways show, I’ve listed 5 to keep an eye on. They are hot, professional and each have their own individual personality that they bring to the runway.
Lekha Raman
Lekha Raman won the Ford Supermodel of the Year in 2009 and the Miss Sexy Legs at Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2008. Since then she was seen in most runways shows in the country including at Lakme Fashion Week and Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. What puts Lekha on the top model radar is her spunk and that intoxicatingly sexy stare.
On the runway, Lekha is a force. Her trademark quirk is that her chin is always pointed lower making her foxy eyes more prominent. Shrivan Narresh and Alpana &Neeraj‘s shows team best with Lekha’s poise and sexy legs. Keep your eyes open to see this vixen strut around.
PS. she is also a darling nature freak.
Diva Starr Dhawan
The “Starr” in her name is not a stage-name gimmick, it’s actually her name! Besides that, this girl has a gorgeous head of hair that is every models envy and every hairstylists “Mt. Everest”. It was no surprise then that she did a Garnier commercial. Diva is probably the most approachable and shiny, happy girl backstage.
On the runway, Diva is calm and composed. She does this thing with her hand whenever she is on the ramp, she softly closes her palms in a “yoga”-esque way. When I ask her about it, she denies it, but she does do it. I love her when she does shows with Rohit Bal and Wendell Rodricks.
Surelee Joseph
Surelee Joseph was born to walk the runway and the more uncomfortable her shoes – the more fierce her walk. At 5 feet 9 inches she walks like she is 6 feet and growing. A long neck and sky-high cheek bones, Surelee’s face has a rustic, Afro-Asian-Indian look.
On the runway Sue has tricks that she pulls through the show that no notices especially when she gets a complicated garment. Designers like Manish Arora, Little Shilpa and Kallol Dutta, all have worked with her and love it. Often seen in avant garde-esque shows, Surelee Joseph loves getting a tan whenever possible. Last year she won MissMalini’s fashion award for best legs!
Rikee Chatterjee
This girl is tall and has a stunning face. One of the newest entries in the industry, Rikee is gaining momentum (and you just voted that she has the best legs on ramp!) No matter how chaotic the environment around her is, she is always calm and serene. If you watch America’s Next Top Model, you know what “making-your-own-wind” means. Rikee does just that.
At the Bibhu Mohapatras showing at LFW last season, Rikee glided down the runway and it made me lose my voice as model Carol Gracias and me were cheering for her. Rikee is a hot favourite amongst choreographers and designers, I last saw here in a showing for Rocky S.
Rachel Bayros
Probably the most wanted in runway times in the country. This dusky siren is as sexy on the runway and she is in real life. She has what I call an effortless sex appeal. Rachel Bayros can be sitting and frantically texting on her phone and still manage to make a brilliant picture. Backstage and at the smoking lounge area at fashion weeks, photographers often hide around her to get candid pictures. Last year she won MissMalini’s fashion award for best skin!
On the runway Rachel is a silent killer. She glides across the runway. Designers from Sabyasachi to Anand Bhushan, all want a pieces of this sweetheart of the runway.
If you follow fashion week, it most likely that you will see these girls opening and closing shows. Keep your eyes on them as they are here to stay and rule the runway. Stay tuned to my top male models, coming soon…