Our desi girls have stomped their way across the runways of the world, and 2015 was the year of the Rise & Return of the top Indian model. The story started with Persis Khambatta, Marielou Phillips and Madhu Sapre, who sparkled as bright as diamonds back in the day.
In 2015, a bevy of Indian models have emerged as international stars, and many more are lining up to break out! Here’s a few of the one’s that we’ve picked as our favourites in 2015.
The Rise:
Hot On The International Runways
Among the ocean of beautiful faces of 2015, Indian models stood out and took center stage across the globe!
Kelly Gale
She is a Swedish hottie with Indian roots. While having walked for the prestigious Victoria’s Secret fashion shows, Kelly Gale has graced also the covers of international fashion magazines like Teen Vogue, Elle and Vogue India!
Kelly Gale (Source: @kellybellyboom on Instagram)
Walking for Victoria’s Secret. (Source: @kellybellyboom on Instagram)
Kelly Gale (Source: @kellybellyboom on Instagram)
Neelam Gill
Neelam Gill was the first Indian model to be featured in a Burberry campaign in 2014, after having walked for the brand on the runway. In 2015, she went on and became the face of Abercrombie & Fitch.
Neelam Gill (left) for Burberry Prorsum
Neelam Gill (left) for Burberry Prorsum
Neelam for Abercrombie & Fitch
Sabrina Behl
A rising star on the horizon, Sabrina Behl is an Indian-American model and we’re hoping to see her bolt to the top in the coming year!
Sabrina Behl with Kelly Gale (Source: @sabrinabehl on Instagram)
Sabrina Behl (Source: @sabrinabehl on Instagram)
Sabrina Behl (Source: @sabrinabehl on Instagram)
The Cross-Over Girls
These ladies killed it on the Indian runways and decided, in 2015, to take on the international runways.
Pooja Mor
Pooja Mor is going to be runway royalty in 2016. With runway shows like Louis Vuitton and Givenchy under her belt, Mor has proved that she is a breakthrough star and can be a force in the international fashion arena.
Pooja Mor at Stella McCartney (Source: @poojamor on Instagram)
Pooja Mor (Source: @poojamor on Instagram)
Pooja Mor (Source: @poojamor on Instagram)
Bhumika Arora
Bhumika started her trade in India for several years, and then took off to pursue an international career in 2014. In 2015, she was a regular at most of the major fashion weeks. Bhumika’s strength lies in her beautifully bushy eyebrows and tiny almond eyes.
Bhumika Arora (Source: @bhumika_arora04 on Instagram)
Bhumika Arora (Source: @bhumika_arora04 on Instagram)
Bhumika Arora (Source: @bhumika_arora04 on Instagram)
In fact, MissMalini met her at the #HMBalmaination show in New York this year, and she was adorable!
Smita Lasrado
She’s walked for Chanel and is a regular at Paris Fashion Week. BandraRoad also has a serious #stylecrush on this Bandra girl, Smita Lasrado, simply because her Instagram caption are freakin’ amaze balls and of course, she nails eclectic shoots like a pro!
Smita Lasrado (Source: @smitalasrado on Instagram)
Smita Lasrado (Source: @smitalasrado on Instagram)
Smita Lasrado (center) featured in Anita Dogre’s 2015 campaign (Source: @smitalasrado on Instagram)
The Return!
They’ve conquered it all internationally and now they’re back and blazing trails on their home ground. Bonafide supermodels, and in the words of Bananarama, they still ‘got it’ and are our one true desire!
Lakshmi Menon
She is a power house of a supermodel. When one thinks of women who paved the way for global recognition of the Indian model, Lakshmi Menon immediately comes to mind! She’s done it all, from high profile runway shows to campaigns across the globe to gracing the covers of major magazines. Lakshmi has given us some of the most iconic and memorable images to come from an Indian model. The supermodel returned to the desi scene and we simply can’t get enough of her, and frankly, we never will. (I mean it!)
Lakshmi Menon in Vogue India
Lakshmi Menon in Dazed And Confused magazine
Lakshmi Menon
Lakmshi Menon shot by Prabuddha Gupta
Ujjwala Raut
Bringing the list to a dramatic finish is the one and only, Ujjwala Raut. From walking for Victoria’s Secret, Hugo Boss, Gucci, Givenchy, Valentino and frankly, the list is endless… as are her legs! But now, she’s back in the India fashion scene, and we’re glad to have her back! I fondly remember hanging out with this beauty, backstage at fashion week this time. So, welcome back, Ujjwala!
Ujjwala Raut in Vogue India
Ujjwala Raut for YSL
Pssst! We also had Ujjwala on MissMalini’s World season 2. See!
So with 2015 being the year of the Rise and Return of the Indian Supermodel, we can’t wait to see what these and other Indian beauties will do in 2016!
Read more on our best of 2015 post here!