Greenhorn Shreya Chaudhary hopes to break into the international scene with Milan topping her dream list.
By Asmita Aggarwal
It was model Alesia Raut, who initiated Mumbai-born and raised Shreya Chaudhary into modelling by encouraging the greenhorn and honing her skills in the finer nuances of style. She helps newcomers and has always been helpful to those who have no Godfather in the industry, says Shreya. Though internationally Karlie Kloss, is a perfect example of beauty with brains, as she is someone you can look up to.
Coming from a traditional Marwari family, where Shreyas father was an exporter, it was her mom who became the wind beneath her wings and steadfastly stood by her daughter encouraging her to chase her dreams. She would come with me for all the shows and slowly realised that fashion is not as bad as it is made out to be, smiles Shreya.
What has chastened this 19-year-old, five feet nine inches tall model is facing rejections, which rather than deflating her pushed her harder forward. I tried the Ms India 2014 contest and realised I wasnt cut out for it. But I did learn some valuable lessons from it—–correct posture, expressions and above all self-confidence. And I would like to travel to New York, Paris and Milan for fashion weeks, thats my final destination and dream, she admits.
Interestingly, there is an artistic side to Shreya, she is a painter, who sketches in her free time and thats why she connects with Kolkatas wonder boy Sabyasachi Mukherjee. He maybe a designer but he thinks like an artist would; clean lines, straight silhouettes and the right dose of shimmer. It would be an honour and a dream come true to walk for his show one day, she smiles. An admirer of Oscar de la Renta and Elie Saab, Shreya feels these two designers take you to a fantastical world, as they exude a stunning aesthetic.
But there is a lot more about Shreya which is unique; as she is currently completing her BBM from HR College, Mumbai, if not a model she would be working in an ad agency or would be pursuing her second passion, interior designing. I was inspired by my grandfather and mom, who came from a middle-class family and struggled to get to where they are. I hope I can follow their footsteps and carve a niche for myself in the world of style by sheer hard work. Whenever I am down, both of them cheer me up and show me the bright side, she smiles.
Hoping to launch her own cosmetic line in the future, Shreya has been interested in how makeup artists transform your look, in a jiffy with the swish of a brush. When I am backstage getting ready for a show, I am always asking questions on what they are using on my face. I like the swift transformation, as it leaves you feeling super cool, she adds.
Modelling has opened for Shreya a world of opportunities, but she has also learnt it the hard way not to be carried away with the glamour. I trust people too easily and my life is like an open book, so I have to use a lot of self-restraint and keep from giving away too many details about myself in the first meeting, she concludes.