The Minister & the Model

For once,it wasn’t a front-row fashionista that sparked a flashbulb frenzy at WIFW. It was Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury,who turned proud mama,as she watched daughter Tejuswuini striding down the ramp in a gold,embroidered top and boyishly quiffed hair at JJ Valaya’s grand finale.

Chowdhury clapped enthusiastically as Tejuswuini,22,strutted down the runway twice. “I am simply here as a proud mother,” gushed Chowdhury after the show. “She has always had a style of her own,” said Chowdhury,who wasn’t in the least surprised with her daughter’s decision to turn model,“I think it is a great confidence-building exercise.”

The daughter pitched in with a laugh: “Even mom modelled in her early years. I remember getting into her high heels and jeans and watching myself in the mirror.” “That was 40 kilos ago,” laughed Chowdhury,adding she is now just “politically fashionable”.

It wasn’t an audition that guaranteed Tejuswuini a swivel on the ramp,but a chance encounter with Valaya at a party. The designer assured her about her waifish model looks. Tejuswini,who also walked the ramp for designer Kavita Bhartia,said she is on the runway for good.