While we fawn over the Neelam Gills and Kendall Jenners of today, that definitely doesn't mean we've forgotten the supermodels of the years gone by. Right from the late '70s to the mid-2000s, modelling found its stride in India and many of those faces found that elusive supermodel status in India. Wondering who they are? We've got you covered with these 12 Indian supermodels from the years gone by that you're sure to find very, very familiar. Prepare for a huge dose of nostalgia.
1. Madhu Sapre
If there's one place everyone knows Madhu Sapre from, it's the Tuff shoes ad in which she posed with nothing except a pair of shoes, a python and Milind Soman. While she hit big time as a runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant, it was the Tuff shoes ad that got plenty of controversy and even a police case but went on to propel her modelling career and make Madhu the 'It Girl' in the 90s. In 2001, she left it all to marry Italian businessman Gian Emendatori and settle down in Italy where the couple had a baby.
2. Mehr Jessia
While we know her now as the other half of Arjun Rampal, Mehr was one of the most famous faces of the 80s and 90s. After winning the Femina Miss India crown in 1986, she was spotted on fashion runways across the country and even turned down the chance to be Lancome's international face. After failed attempts at setting up a modelling agency and training school, Mehr married Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal in 1998. They have two lovely daughters.
3. Feroze Gujral
Feroze Gujral is the woman who redefined the word supermodel in India. Back in the 90s, Feroze was one of the hottest faces for brands like Lakme and Palmolive. After making it big in the modelling world, once she retired from the ramp, Feroze married architect Mohit Gujrat and kept busy by juggling multiple roles as a columnist, art patron and entrepreneur.
4. Anna Bredmeyer
The Bredmeyer sisters were known to be a triple threat and Anna proved to be the most fatal of them all. Making her debut in the early 70s with a Sunsilk ad, it was just the stepping stone Anna (previously known as Adrienne) needed. Once she won the Miss India Asia Pacific title in 1976, Anna shot to fame with runway shows and brand endorsements for Pond's and Ghanasingh Jewellers. Post her curtain call in 2000, Anna Bredmeyer has remained busy with her Anna B grooming academy and as a consultant.
5. Lubna Adams
Lubna Adams is still renowned on the modelling circuit, but in a different role - she's now a fashion choreographer and event director and has been for the past two decades. In her hey-days in the 80s, Lubna was one of India's most well-regarded models and the face of brands like Kodak and Vimal. Once a choreography assignment in the 90s fell into her lap for a Glitterati show, there's been no looking back for Lubna and she took to choreography and direction full time.
6. Suzanne Sablok
After winning the coveted Miss India title in '89-90, Suzanne made the transition to modelling and continued to be a leading model for the next few years. At the peak of her career, she married industry personnel Rajesh Pillai and settled down in Australia with him and their son.
7. Manpreet Brar
As was with many Indian supermodels, Manpreet's career started off when she bagged the Miss India crown in 1995 and she cemented her star status further by also becoming the first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant that followed. From there on, she went on to walk the runway for many brands as well become the face for watch giant Omega. During her illustrious career, Manpreet also hosted events like the Filmfare awards and TV shows as well. After an almost two decade long career, she married Arun Walia with whom she has two children.
8. Shyla Lopez
Shyla Lopez, the dream girl of the late 90s. The Miss India winner in 1992 went on to win many crowns like Femina Miss Bangalore as well as compete in Mrs World in the late 2000s. Her pageant wins led her to top modelling gigs across the country as well as starring roles in plenty of music videos like InstantKarma's 'Aa Jaane Jaa' remix. She then left her career in the limelight and settled down with her husband in Russia.
9. Esther Daswani
One of the glamour girls of the '70s, Esther was one of the most popular faces of the era. At just 21, she covered glossies, endorsed brands like Pears and even walked on the international ramp. Then, Esther left the modelling game once she got married and had two children. She later fought cervical cancer and now raises funds for cancer patients.
10. Gurmit Kaur
Gurmit left a difficult childhood and took off to Paris to study design and sculpting, which eventually led her to meet Yves Saint Laurent. In typical Laurent style, she caught his eye and on renaming her 'Jezebel', she went to walk for YSL as well as for designers like Chanel and Givenchy. In the late 90s, Gurmit went on to settle in London with her husband and two children while continuing to design jewellery.
@Gurmitjewellery , Gianni Versace's hot look in mile long sexy boots . https://t.co/zjnWAbX0Ft pic.twitter.com/aDHwydBZFV
— Gurmit Kaur Campbell (@Gurmitjewellery) February 19, 2016
11. Vidisha Pavate
Although Vidisha didn't have the conventional looks of a model in the 90s, she didn't let that stop her. After winning the Ford Super Model in '96, Vidisha was the flavour of the season and featured in many magazines as well as the Kingfisher swimsuit calendar. In 2001, she married photographer Darren Centofanti and since then, has helped him run their wine business.
12. Fleur Xavier
Thanks to her participation in the Femina Miss India pageant, Fleur shot to stardom with a flashy career in modelling. She starred in campaigns for brands like Bajaj and Sprite and even did a Thumbs Up ad alongside Salman Khan. At the peak of her career, Fleur quit modelling to pursue her long-time love of interior design. She went ahead and studied it in New York while also founding Fleur Design Associates in Delhi.
With @FleurXavier1 in Delhi! pic.twitter.com/ooEqOzA2Op
— Nina Manuel (@ninamanuel) February 20, 2014
Now these are supermodels, in every sense of the word.
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