She was extraordinarily tall and slim like her mom, and most of her buddies would tell her she had the looks to make it big, just like Kate Moss. She was fascinated by the images of reed thin girls bombarded on FTV, that was the one everlasting image that remained etched in her mind.
Young Bhumika Arora took the plunge and left the comforts of her sprawling Chandigarh bungalow and came to make it big in the svelte world of fashion. Looking at her, you cant tell she is runways new baby, as a pool model at the Delhi Couture Week, as she smiles a lot and enjoys a hot cup of tea with a plate full of cookies. Earlier, I used to get blinded by the 1,000 flashlights going off in a nanosecond as I neared the end of the ramp. It was unnerving, I was an extremely shy girl, so it took me almost six months to get my body language right, she admits.
Carting around a small suitcase, Bhumika is excited about walking for Manav Gangwani and Varun Bahl, she couldnt make the cut for Anju Modi, as she was maybe too skinny. Designers have certain favourite body types, maybe I didnt fit into them. Now I dont feel bad anymore, earlier if I wasnt included, it would greatly upset me, she adds.
Living alone and managing on her own seems to be taking a toll on Bhumika, who confesses it is a lonely journey. Sometimes I dont eat the whole day or sail through with just one meal. But I do make sure to eat enough, if I am working the 12-hour shift during fashion weeks, she says.
Huddled in a corner with Bhumika is Aditi Mishra, an Elan model, who seems more at home than her counterpart. Unlike Bhumika, Aditi took the shortcut to the ramp. She went for the Ms India contest and finished among the top 20 girls. I also won a title, Ms Congeniality, she beams. Aditi admits, the competition got her many lucrative assignments, but being in Delhi helps, as this is the fashion capital. I like my job, it gives you the opportunity to travel, see new countries, wear beautiful clothes, and like every job, it comes with its challenges. I hate how many people think if you are a model, you must be dumb and stereotype you, she laughs.
Tea time quickly gets over, after she gets a frantic call to rush back for fittings, Aditi joins Nidhi Sunil, a Bengaluru girl as they try on clothes and Mickey Contractors team from MAC give her a new look for Anju Modis show.
Statuesque and confident Nidhi Sunil can be often seen tapping her feet enjoying songs on her iPod or with an intimidating fat book tucked under her skinny arm. Thats how I chill, she admits. It is a great way to cut off from the world, and zone out. It is her first time as a pool model too, but Nidhi is a woman who knows her mind. I come here to do my work, not get into any politics or manipulations, that way I manage to stay out of trouble, she laughs. But being a stickler for hygiene, Nidhi carries her own mascara, wipes and moisturizer to battle the 12-hour day. To keep my skin glowing I have a no make-up at home policy. And it works, she says.
The lanky Ekta Badana has her loyalties pretty clear. I started my career with Varun Bahl, and it is great to be working with him again, as I am the pool model at Couture Week for the first time. I also found Sabyas (Sabyasachi Mukherjee) ensembles stunning, she says.
Much like her fellow model Nidhi, Ekta likes to carry her own make-up brushes and judiciously takes it off the layers after every show. If you got to survive, you must have your head on your shoulders, thats Ektas advice to all those model aspirants, as she balances her lean structure on towering heels and bids goodbye.