Journalism of Courage
Their association with the ramp does not stretch to many years. But for these city youngsters it is a successful beginning in the fashion world walking for several labels,fashion weeks and featuring in commercials
Neha Kokare
18-year-old Neha Kokare is already the Miss Bangalore 2010. Crowned last year in October this student of first year,Law College has walked at the Bangalore Fashion Week,Mega model face hunt and featured in Satya Paul autumn winter collection. The platform provided by the Pune’s fashion industry developed me into what I am today. I was even awarded Miss Catwalk in a pageant. Currently I have signed contracts with many different companies and was sent to different countries including Singapore,Malaysia and Dubai for photo shoots of different brands, she adds. Having shifted to the city after her schooling the fashion industry had been a fascination for her much before. In school I was a complete tom-boy. But my career started when a local magazine signed me for the cover page and its been exciting from there although much is to be achieved, she adds.
Some of his projects include Wills India fashion week,India couture week.Dubai Fashion Week,Middle east fashion extra vaganza,IIFA in Maccau and ICICI Prudential,which remain special to him. Modeling has age constrains and it is an extra source of income for me rather than calling it a full time profession although I have always been passionate about the ramp, says the 27-year-old.
Sufzal Salim
This top10 finalist of a national personality pageant has just finished shooting for MTV Spiltsvilla 3 which is currently on air. 24-year- old Sufzal Saleem has been ruling the ramp for the last two years now,having walked for the Lakme India Fashion Week,featured in several commercials and worked with well-known designers. Yet this is quite a beginning for the youngster. The era of supermodels is gone. Its a new day the moment your last show is over. I would call myself a struggling model for that is what I have to do approaching people and getting the shows, he adds. Sufzal has also worked with international photographers Derran Centofnti and Karim. An aspiring actor whos shifted to Mumbai for the projects lined up,he however makes it a point to be in the city during the New Years. I invariably do the 31st night shows in Pune and it feels great to be in your own city ,partying with friends and being home. Otherwise Pune unfortunately has very less to offer inspite of being close to the fashion capital, he says.
Mansi Kekate
She has been on the ramp on reel and real. Having walked the sequences in Fashion and been among the top 25 finalists in Miss India 2007,its been a steadfast journey for Mansi Dekate. I was participating in inter college model shows and that is how it began. Pune has a lot of potential yet since Mumbai is the final place,nobody prefers to stay here. Since Im studying,there is time before I decide the final career,although I have always enjoyed modeling, she adds. Mansi was also a part of the Pune Fashion Week and has walked for several big names in the industry. Speaking about the competition she says,Its all about having the right contacts. And each time you are a part of a show you tend to meet new people and newer opportunities. I guess thats the way it works for us.
