Two engineers by education Atul Tripathi and Bardeep, hope to make a mark by creating a space for Indian models overseas.
By Asmita Aggarwal
Born in Bhopal and raised in Bengaluru, Atul Tripathi finished mechanical engineering and in 2009 was spotted by Prasad Bidappa to embark on a journey where he would soon have to balance a hectic work life with his passion—the catwalk.
Atul, who now works for Tata Consultancy Services, Bengaluru hopes to one day make a mark in London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. My parents were initially not in favour of me taking up modelling as a career, but I was doing very well in college fashion shows even though I was fickle. My choices varied from wanting to be an astronaut as a child to then choosing medicine, moving on to wanting to be an Army officer and finally finishing my engineering, he adds.
What he counts as an asset for a model is not a bulky body, but having an athletic built, along with persistence, perseverance and determination. I have admired Jon Korterazina, a Spanish model who has bagged many prestigious campaigns like Just Cavalli, Armani and Versace, he smiles. Among others he thinks British model David Gandy, who is the face of Dolce & Gabbana to be super cool. He has designed lounge wear, two apps and is pretty prolific, says Atul.
Coming from an academic family, where his father was a university professor, it was an unlikely profession for a boy who is now well accepted by his family despite his choice of career. I think parents being parents get worried about your future and always want stability for their children both financial and psychological. I am not much of a planner, but I do know that I want to do something that will leave a legacy behind, he concludes.
If Atul wants to try his luck in foreign shores, Bardeep from Ludhiana started modelling three years ago after getting an engineering degree from Patiala, feels this is where you can make money too. I wanted to travel and see the world and modelling seemed a perfect option. And modelling is just not about being a clothes horse it is also about personality and your demeanour, he says.
